Emily Cornelious + Marcus Cornelious
(Director of Sales and Marketing, St. Jane Chicago)
(Director of Sales and Marketing, The Gwen, A Luxury Collection Hotel)
THE MEET CUTE
IMEX in Las Vegas in October 2013 through mutual friends
THE WEDDING
June 13, 2015 in Monterey, California
THE MUSHY STUFF
Emily: “I love the way Marcus loves. His ability to show love to all and his kindness is remarkable.”
Marcus: “Emily is my best friend. She supports me through my ups and downs, pushes me to be a better person and loves me unconditionally.”
THE INDUSTRY CONNECTION
Emily: “We get each other’s frustration, wins and losses. When I was traveling a ton, it was easy because he understood. We always make time for each other even through the long demanding nights at work.”
Marcus: “Through the good and bad days, it makes it easy for us to understand each other on a deeper level. We also seek guidance from each other.”
ON TALKING SHOP AT HOME
Emily: “We both admire each other’s professional success. We try to keep it to a minimum to not be consumed with work at home.”
Marcus: “We are technically competitors, so we draw the line and we don’t talk about the details.”
David Haas + Micaela Haas
(General Manager, Miracle Method Surface Refinishing)
(General Manager, The Rose Hotel)
THE MEET CUTE
At Lincolnshire Marriott Resort in 2007, where they were both working at the time, she in rooms and he as a banquet manager (when the lobby underwent a renovation years later, David asked them to save a piece of the floor, and he used that to stand on when he proposed at the Blackstone Hotel)
THE WEDDING
Aug. 20, 2011 at Lincolnshire Marriott Resort, featured on TLC’s “Four Weddings”
THE MUSHY STUFF
Micaela: “I love that he can carry a conversation with anyone. He is smart with a sense of humor, and he is always positive. He is generous and thinks of others. Handsome, for sure! I know that he would like me to write about his smile and hair—we called him ‘Colgate’ 10 years ago.”
David: “When we first met, I loved her Argentinian accent, beauty and popularity around the resort. She even had her picture with Mr. Marriott by the time I arrived at the company. I was reaching way out of my league! Now it’s her thoughtful and sweet actions. She is a caring and wonderful partner.”
THE INDUSTRY CONNECTION
Both: “The industry can be very demanding of your time, energy and feelings; we have an understanding. We spend our days putting others first. We stay close laughing and telling stories about the good old days.”
ON TALKING SHOP AT HOME
Micaela: “We bounce ideas off each other all the time. He is stronger in sales and marketing, and I am in operations. We complement each other in that way.”
William R. “Will” + Denis Frankenfield
(Host Associate Professor, Roosevelt University School of Hospitality & Tourism Management; and Meeting Planner)
(Retired Director of Events and Catering, Sodexo, Shedd Aquarium)
THE MEET CUTE
September 1980 at Meeting World at Rosemont Convention Center, when Denis was exhibiting for Marriott Indianapolis and Will was a meeting planner for an international trade association
THE WEDDING
Officially, Sept. 24, 2015 on their 35th anniversary, at the Cook County Courthouse; though they joke they were really married by Hyde Park Bank in 1981 when they joined their personal finances
THE MUSHY STUFF
Will: “I love his steadfastness and calming attitude when I go neurotic. He is also wonderful at nursing me through a number of illnesses and health conditions I’ve had.”
Denis: “I love Will’s compassion and empathy for humanity, friends and relatives, and his thoughtfulness to his students, colleagues, friends and neighbors—along with his impulsiveness.”
THE INDUSTRY CONNECTION
Will: “We clearly understand the work-life challenges faced by those of us in the industry—late nights, long days, weekends that are way too short or not at all.”
ON TALKING SHOP AT HOME
Both: “Denis talks about the client who sends in their specification the day before the event, wants to make major changes to the menu and setup the morning of. Will talked about the stupid setup the catering manager gave him for a simple buffet of 150 people. We did agree, however, not to talk about our work if Will was holding a meeting at one of Denis’ properties.”
Lisa Taylor + Gordon Taylor III
(President, Illuminate Public Relations, Inc.)
(Director of Sales and Marketing, Waldorf Astoria Chicago)
THE MEET CUTE
Through a friend at Sofitel Chicago Water Tower’s Le Bar in 2008, when Lisa was working there as PR and marketing manager
THE WEDDING
June 27, 2009 at Trump International Hotel Chicago, where one of the bridesmaids was conference services manager
THE MUSHY STUFF
Lisa: “Gordon’s intensity, compassion for others, and sense of humor are some of his best traits. I’m continually amazed by his uncanny ability to quickly determine what is important to a person, find common ground and immediately make a lasting connection.”
Gordon: “I have yet to meet anyone that can laugh at themselves more than Lisa. Life with her is unpredictable and fun. And, she is the ultimate conversationalist while also being the best listener I know.”
THE INDUSTRY CONNECTION
Both: “Our love for hotels was our first real connection that has endured for the last 10 years. We live and breathe hospitality and share an affinity for the Chicago market.”
ON TALKING SHOP AT HOME
Both: “Our No. 1 hobby is exploring restaurants, so our pastime is looking at the service experience, cuisine, atmosphere, and PR and marketing surrounding a restaurant. We also enjoy hotels and discussing what factors make them truly memorable. It’s exciting for us to discuss what makes businesses successful.”