Meet David Peckinpaugh
This year, as part of our Freedom Awards Benefit, we are proud to honor David Peckinpaugh for his notable contribution and engagement in the anti-trafficking field. Please take a moment to read his biography below.
David Peckinpaugh started at Maritz in 2011 and became President & CEO in 2021. A 40+ year champion of the events industry, David provides strategic oversight for Maritz while ensuring the consistent design and delivery of engaging and inspiring program experiences that drive business results.
David has led the company through significant growth, placing renewed focus on clients, industry partnerships and global presence. He has also invested in reenergizing the company’s culture, introducing the company's signature core value “Take Good Care of Each Other,” which has led to the company-wide purpose of “Unleashing Human Potential.” This aspirational initiative is based on a focus on a triple bottom line where financial, people and sustainability results are equally recognized and celebrated.
A passionate champion for the fight against human trafficking since 2011, David first learned of this crime through an invitation from Delta Airlines to attend a ceremony when Sabre signed The Code. After a great deal of research and conversations with PACT, David engaged Maritz’ people & development team and presented a powerful video presentation at a Maritz Town Hall. Subsequently, a request for volunteers resulted in more than 100 hands raised. That was the beginning of the journey at Maritz, which continues to this day. It is employee-led and continues to build awareness, raises funds for several organizations and is a big part of Maritz’ overall giving efforts.
David’s passion and advocacy for the events industry has earned him accolades from industry peers and organizations including MPI Rise Award’s Meetings Industry Leadership, the Joint Meetings Industry Council’s Unity Award, the Boeing Institute of International Business’ International Visionary Award for 2023 and Incentive Travel Council’s Advocate of the Year award. He has been named Successful Meetings’ 25 Most Influential People, MPI’s Most Influential 50 Meeting Professionals, Events Industry Council’s Hall of Leaders and most recently the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award from PCMA.
David is a past member of PCMA’s board of directors, past Chairman of the PCMA Education Foundation, original Co-Chair of the Meetings Mean Business Coalition and serves on the board of trustees for Chautauqua Institution. He is a Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) by the Events Industry Council, Certified Incentive Specialist (CIS) from SITE and is a certified Master Designer at Maritz.
David is married with two grown children and has a passion for sailing, skiing and travel.