229: The Long Game of Leadership: Building Companies That Last ft David Peckinpaugh

On the Events Demystified Podcast (CEO Edition), host Anca Platon Trifan interviews David Peckinpaugh, President and CEO of Maritz and its first non-family CEO, about leading a 132-year-old, fifth-generation family-owned company with a long-term “stewardship” mindset. Peckinpaugh shares his path from hospitality and a DMO role in San Diego to Maritz, and explains how the Tugboat Institute’s Evergreen “seven Ps” framework (purpose, people, passion, perseverance, performance, principles, profit) shapes decision-making, including viewing profit as fuel to invest in people and innovation. He discusses Maritz’s COVID response, weekly town halls, continued innovation, and preserving leadership, plus an intentional approach to AI aimed at making employees “irreplaceable,” aligned with sustainability goals. The conversation also explores why in-person events remain uniquely human, the difference between personalized and truly personal experiences, and why time is the core currency attendees invest. 00:00 Stewardship Over Speed01:11 Welcome And Guest Intro03:30 David’s Path Into Events05:50 Why In Person Still Wins07:26 Leading With Stewardship12:21 Evergreen Seven Ps Framework14:10 Profit Fuels Purpose15:12 Decision Filters Under Pressure21:19 AI To Make People Irreplaceable24:17 Human Connection Can’t Be Automated25:35 Time Is The Currency27:10 Trust And Loyalty28:52 Personal Versus Personalized30:34 Culture And Seven Ps32:39 COVID Leadership Decisions36:35 Stewardship And Accountability38:38 Mentoring Future CEOs42:14 Legacy Of Stewardship43:35 Authenticity And AI Reading45:55 Closing And Where To Connect **Produced by Tree-Fan Events Production LLC** Book Anca for speaking or consulting:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ancaplatontrifan.me/booking-page/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow for more on AI, events, and leadership: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ancatrifan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/anca.platon.trifan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ **Original podcast music by Fable Score Music** Tree-Fan Events is a woman-owned boutique event production agency focused on delivering high-impact experiences through the FIT4EVENTS™ framework.