Our current series explores top associations and membership communities, so I was excited to learn that the Virginia Beach Restaurant Association (VBRA), a 100+ member restaurant network, had launched an art exhibit to showcase the farm to table story behind every dining experience.

At the heart of this initiative is Martha Davenport, Executive Director of VBRA, whose leadership and vision have helped position Virginia Beach as a culinary destination. With a background in Fortune 500 marketing, she brings a strategic approach to uplifting the restaurant industry, championing local businesses, and creating innovative ways to highlight their impact.

Joining her in this creative collaboration project is Nathan W. Beck, an internationally renowned commercial photographer whose images have appeared on ABC News’ 20/20, the Wall Street Journal, New York Times Style Magazine, the Washington Times, the Associated Press, and more. Mr. Beck has built a career capturing high-profile moments, with a client list that includes three U.S. Presidents, multiple Governors and Vice Presidents, and celebrities like Jackie Chan and Tiger Woods. His extensive work spans from restaurants, sports, travel, leisure, non-profit, and corporate industries, making him the perfect collaborator to bring The Recipe exhibit to life!

After recently enjoying Virginia Beach Restaurant Week, Karina and I were reminded just how much restaurants bring people together. As a way to say thank you, I created this podcast episode and am also offering a free month of social media support for one local restaurant, plus a complimentary photoshoot for the first 10 restaurants that sign up (links below). I even wrote a love letter to Virginia Beach restaurants, recognizing their incredible impact on the community!

Inside This Episode:

• How VBRA created an art exhibit to celebrate its restaurant members.
• How this unexpected collaboration called The Recipe came to life.
• The power of storytelling and visual art in promoting Virginia Beach as a culinary destination.
• Lessons in collaboration and innovation for other associations.

Meet Our Guests & Contributors:
Martha Davenport – Executive Director of Virginia Beach Restaurant Association and former Fortune 500 marketer. Connect at ➝ dineinvb.com
Nathan Beck – Award-winning photographer. Explore Nathan’s work ➝ beckimage.com
Elizabeth Duncan Hawker – Business strategist and networking expert, whose introduction set The Recipe in motion. Learn more ➝ elizabethduncanhawker.com

Resources:
🔗 Social Media & Shoot Giveaway + Love Letter ➝ davidjalexander.com/vb

🔗 Virginia Beach Restaurant Association ➝ dineinvb.com

🔗 The Recipe Exhibit ➝ dineinvb.com/the-recipe

🔗 Our Restaurant Recommendations Thus Far in VB➝ here.

Welcome to the final installment of our series, Building a Culture of Impact Part III. Today, we continue our conversation with David Peckinpaugh, President and CEO of Maritz. As the first non-family member to lead this 130-year-old, billion-dollar family enterprise, David oversees their comprehensive solutions across events, engagement, and automotive.

In addition, today's episode features two special contributors from Momentus Technologies: Laurie McGrath, Chief Marketing Officer, and Steve Mackenzie, Chief Innovation Officer. We'll hear from them later this month in our next series focused exclusively on associations and events.

Key Insights from David Peckinpaugh:

• Maritz Culture: An evergreen company focused on unleashing human potential.
• Event Planning: Produces 9,000-10,000 events annually with a customized, design-driven approach.
• Relationships: Long-term commitment to relationships is foundational. Opportunities arise from a strong network.
• Tugboat Institute: Learning from other purpose-driven companies and CEOs.

Career Advice for Young Leaders:

• Find mentors.
• Engage in educational opportunities.
• Join industry associations for networking and growth.

Special Mentions:

• Laurie McGrath, Chief Marketing Officer of Momentus: Laurie brings over 25 years of experience in branding, product marketing, and SaaS technology strategy. She has led successful rebranding and digital marketing efforts at Tecsys and Intalere. Laurie holds a bachelor’s degree from Baldwin Wallace University and an executive MBA from Rutgers University.
• Steve Mackenzie, Chief Innovation Officer of Momentus: With 38 years in the hospitality and events industry, Steve leads the Innovation Lab and has held key roles in event tech companies like EventBooking and Oracle. He recently received the prestigious IAVM 2024 Education & Service Award.

Thank you for joining us. If you enjoyed this conversation, please like, subscribe, and share. Check out the entire series for more insights. Stay tuned for more exciting episodes of "Accelerate." Together, let's accelerate! For more about David's work, visit Maritz.com.

Welcome to the latest episode of "Accelerate with David Alexander," part of our continuing series on family empires. Today's episode, "Building a Culture of Impact Part II," features an inspiring conversation between David Peckinpaugh, President and CEO of Maritz, and Bruce Harris, a transformative leader in the events industry.

Bruce Harris, former CEO and Founder of Conferon (later Experient), played a pivotal role in shaping the industry, leading his company to become one of the largest independent meeting planning consulting firms in the world before its acquisition by Maritz in 2012. In this episode, Bruce and David discuss the core values and leadership principles that have driven their success.

David shares how Bruce’s mentorship influenced his leadership philosophy, including the memorable moment when David sought Bruce’s permission to adopt the sign “Take good care of each other” for Maritz—a testament to the values that define true leadership. Bruce’s reflections on David’s career journey, from his early days at Conferon to his current role at Maritz, highlight the importance of integrity, cultural fit, and personal values in leadership.

Bruce also recounts how David's ability to embrace fun and unconventional ideas, like dressing up in wacky costumes, broke down barriers and fostered team unity and client relationships. This episode offers a unique blend of personal anecdotes and professional insights, providing listeners with valuable lessons on building a Culture of Impact.

Guests:

David Peckinpaugh

• Title: President & CEO, Maritz

Bruce Harris

• Title: Former CEO & Founder, Conferon (Experient)

Key Topics:

• David Peckinpaugh’s Leadership Journey: Insights from his early career to leading Maritz.
• Mentorship and Core Values: How Bruce Harris’s guidance shaped David’s leadership style.
• Building a Strong Organizational Culture: The importance of integrity, cultural fit, and fun in leadership.
• Strategic Growth: The impact of Maritz’s recent acquisition of Convention Data Services (CDS) and its future implications.

Upcoming Episode

Stay tuned for the concluding part of our series with David Peckinpaugh, where he shares more industry insights, leadership wisdom, and career advice.

Announcement

We are taking nominations for Association CEOs, Executive Directors, and Marketing Directors to be featured in our upcoming episodes focused on Associations. Reach out directly at info (@) davidjalexander.com.

Tune in, subscribe, and share this episode to unlock the potential for iconic success in your leadership journey. Together, let’s Accelerate!