Courtney Eison

Account Executive, Marcus Hotels and Resorts–Hilton Milwaukee City Center, InterContinental Milwaukee and the Pfister Hotel
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Age: 28

Faith-based planners connect with Courtney Eison. “I grew up in the church, it’s the foundation, the cornerstone of what I do,” he says. His success is also driven by his month-old marriage to Maggie, who Eison says is now the driving force for him to work hard. Also making his job easier are his hometown roots in Milwaukee, the network of people he’s grown up with and in his church who provide connections, support letters and resources to sell faith-based groups on Milwaukee. “Not all the people I work with are true meeting planers,” he says. “I like walking through the process with them and seeing the conference come together.” For the same reason he loves helping planners, Eison volunteers with young people at the YMCA and his church, and mentors young men through a program called Covenant Achievers: “I love hearing people’s dreams, and following through with them.” —J. Garrett

What was the best advice someone gave you when you started in the industry?
Ask questions, listen, and be coachable.  Also maintain high integrity.

Where do see yourself in 10 years?
Still in the service industry assisting others achieve goals and accomplishing dreams.

What is the one piece of advice you would give a colleague who’s just starting out in the industry?
Remember, you never get a second chance to make a good first impression. In the eyes of clients you don’t simply represent the property—you are the property.

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