Angie Nelson

Regional Vice President, Southeast

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

Erica Seidman

Regional Sales Manager

For as long as she can remember, Erica Seidman has enjoyed making others happy, which makes hospitality a perfect career choice for her. The California native started on the social side of events directly after graduating from University of California, Santa Barbara, then continued into the hotel world, most recently at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry. She recalls an especially memorable moment when, after Erica spent hours stringing hundreds of votives from 50’ tall trees, a bride walked into her reception and called it a fairytale. The praise doesn’t get much higher!

Though she was an incredibly successful hotelier, Erica was ready for a change and found what she was looking for with us. “PRA South Florida opened the doors to everything I truly love about hospitality sales: collaboration, creativity, passion, reach, and authenticity all with one goal in mind:  to create cutting edge transformative business experiences for the client,” she says. Erica has all of the best qualities of a sales person. Her approach is in creating a relationship and always looking out for what is best for her clients. She is an analytical brain with a creative side, which allows her to dream big and make it happen.

When she does get time outside of the office, you’ll most likely find Erica with her family and friends, getting in some retail therapy or bending it like Beckham on the soccer field.

Contact: Erica.Seidman@PRA.com

Noelle Williams, DMCP

Senior Event Producer

Noelle Williams is a DMCP with a love for fitness and an even greater love for crafting the perfect program, earning her the title of Senior Event Producer. Noelle has experience in creative design, operations and sales, so she knows how to build a flawless event while incorporating super VIP touch points for a memorable guest experience. You might even say, she sticks the landing every time, literally! In Noelle’s free time she does adult gymnastics, yoga and participates in fitness classes. The only time you’ll see her sweat is in the gym!

Contact: Noelle.Williams@PRA.com

Yaisel Carmenate

Event Producer

Yaisel Carmenate, known as Yai by her colleagues, is an experienced Event Producer in the PRA Southeast Region. Her passion for producing customized experiences combined with her positive attitude and love of problem solving have been a successful combination. Yai is excited to put her creative production skills to use!

Contact: Yaisel.Carmenate@PRA.com

Dave Levenson

Senior Transportation + Events Logistics Producer

What makes a good Transportation and Logistics Director? Someone with hands on (the wheel) experience, and that’s just what we found in Dave Levenson! Starting with his first job as a limo driver in Florida at the age of 18, Dave found his calling and hasn’t looked back. Over the years, he’s driven and managed everything from ultra VIP sedan transfers to large group motorcoach movements. This has allowed Dave to become an expert in logistics, managing complex programs in the US and around world, including a personal highlight coordinating 101 VIP drivers for the Formula 1 Grand Prix Championship in Abu Dhabi, not once, but five times! After working with the PRA South Florida office for over ten years as a contractor and consultant, Dave officially took on a full-time role with the team in 2019 as our Transportation and Logistics Director. When he isn’t creating bus routes or ensuring your VIP transfer, Dave can be found restoring old motorcycles, most recently a 1978 Honda CB550-4 that he and his wife love to ride along the coast of Florida. On the job or off, he’s a true motor man, through and through!

Contact: Dave.Levenson@PRA.com

Tess Ristaino

Senior Experience Designer

With her creative brain and friendly disposition, Tess Ristaino is someone you want on your team! Tess’ background in events and hospitality has given her a great foundation in the business event world, and she credits her success to an outgoing personality and exceptional organizational skills. As an Account Manager, Tess enjoys collaborating with her clients to pull together all of the pieces of their program so the final product meets all of their specific needs. The Florida State University alumna rarely misses a game day, but if it’s off-season, you can most likely find her spending her weekends with her family and friends or out trying a new restaurant for brunch. 

Contact: Tess. Ristaino@PRA.com

Danielle Rothenberg

Senior Experience Designer

Danielle Rothenberg, Senior Experience Designer, is a rare mix of creative brain with a knack for logistics. She is passionate about crafting impactful events and began her career in experiential marketing and tradeshows. Recognizing her talent for strategic thinking and imaginative experiences, Danielle was approached about joining the PRA South Florida team in 2016 and as she says, “From day 1, I was hooked and have loved being a part of this amazing industry ever since!”

Danielle has worked with globally recognized brands and Fortune 500 companies throughout her career, but one of her favorite memories was creating a completely immersive “Around the World” program for a financial company in Marco Island. As two waves of 1000 people each came through the coastal town, they were taken on a worldwide journey with themed touchpoints around every corner, transporting them from Lima to Osaka, Istanbul and Mykonos. It was a global sensation!

When not working, this native Floridian loves to get outside and go on her own adventures, like cable boarding or fishing. Danielle is a pup-mom of Sparky, the YorkiePoo and Roxy, the Pitbull, and you’ll often find the trio on outings with friends and family.

Contact: Danielle.Rothenberg@PRA.com

Lauren Buffington, CMP, CIS

Director of Operations

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