It’s no secret Angie Nelson is an operational and logistical genius, and that was one of the reasons she earned so much success with Koncept Events, the company she co-founded in 2007. When KE joined the PRA umbrella in 2019, Angie assumed the role of General Manager of South Florida, and since then, has been promoted to Regional Vice President, Southeast, where she oversees the team in South Florida, Orlando and Atlanta.

A true mentor to others, Angie leads by example and isn’t afraid to “get dirty.” Angie’s extensive background in performance-based team reward and incentive programs has allowed her to effortlessly spearhead the PRA South Florida team to execute flawlessly, without fail, program after program. She consistently gives 150% by dedicating her energy, brainpower and entire heart into each and every one of the 150+ meetings + events the team produces each year. Her peers and colleagues often consider WWAD (What Would Angie Do?), a true testament to Angie’s eye for detail and her ability to see beyond a challenge, evaluate risk, and identify the best solution. When asked what makes her successful, Angie replies “I look at an event from every angle and dissect it by asking a million questions before I am completely satisfied with an answer. My brain just seems to automatically think about Plans B, C and D.”

Angie is published in The Meeting Professionals magazine’s December 2014 issue as an expert on growing a start-up organization and is a frequent industry lecturer at Nova Southeastern University. She was BizBash magazine’s 2013 “South Florida Reader’s Choice Event Designer of the Year” Winner and a Finalist for 2008 Event Solutions Spotlight Award for “Rising Star of the Year Female.” In 2018, she was named a “Top 25 Young Event Pro to Watch” by Special Events Magazine.

Contact: Angie.Nelson@PRA.com

Highly organized, team-oriented and a multi-tasker – when it comes to leading our Experience team, we couldn’t have asked for a better choice than Tracy Makowski! Tracy has over 9 years in the hospitality and tourism industry, making her clients’ visions a reality all over Florida and the Caribbean. She prides herself on her ability to look at the overall picture, enabling her to make sure all the details are covered while maintaining cohesive feel to the entire event. Tracy is always pushing herself and her team to make sure that the expectations of the clients are well-exceeded, but loves to have fun in the process! Outside of the office, the Chicago native and the two leading men in her life, pups Romeo and Oscar, fit right in with the South Florida lifestyle, enjoying paddle boarding, kayaking and al fresco dining whenever they get the chance.

Contact: Tracy.Makowski@PRA.com

For Lauren Buffington, CMP, CIS (yep, double titles), executing a successful event is simply the thing that drives her. “I have the opportunity to create memorable events that touch lives and inspire attendees” she says about her passion for the industry. “I am driven by seeing incredible events through to the end, knowing I’ve helped make an impression with every detail.” Her determination to craft an unforgettable attendee experience has been put to good use, like the time she took 500 guests on a cruise down the French Riviera, ending with a firework show that happened to coincide (and top) the Prince of Monaco’s own show happening the same night. Not only were the guests blown away, but the program left an impression on the entire Principality! In other highlights of Lauren’s impressive career, she has worked with multiple Fortune 500 companies, executed a 1,200-person meeting and managed a $15 million program budget! It’s not all business and planning for this Florida gal who loves a good lip sync battle. In fact, she once got so into character, she tore her ACL and meniscus but still went on to finish her performance. If she’s that dedicated to a song, imagine what she can do with your next meeting!

Contact: Lauren.Buffington@PRA.com

Kristen’s career has taken her through various paths, but always with a focus on visual storytelling and creating an immersive design experience. After graduating from Savannah College of Art & Design with an MFA in Production Design, she launched a decorative arts company specializing in custom murals, which then evolved into painting sets and backdrops. Since then, Kristen has worked with acclaimed designers on Broadway, created art for nationally televised events and received production design credits for film among many other accolades. She moved into corporate event design as a Creative Designer and attributes her success to having a versatile style and commitment to excellence. Kristen is a native of Florida, growing up in Naples. She is a member of the United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829 and when she isn’t creating another amazing design, you’ll likely find her reading, spending quality time with friends and family or enjoying a day in the creative worlds of theater, art and music.

Contact: Kristen.Sabo@PRA.com

Michael brings more than twenty years of experience in executive management to the PRA team. In his role as Senior Vice President, Business Operations, Michael is responsible for developing and implementing business strategies to support company initiatives, while creating synergies and leverage opportunities throughout the PRA system.

Contact: Michael.Costa@PRA.com