ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Maritz Travel Company, which consists of Maritz Travel Meetings & Incentives and Experient, has announced that industry veteran Christie Hicks has joined its Board of Directors. In this role, the former Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide executive will help guide the company’s business strategy in the marketplace.
“We are thrilled to welcome Christie to the Maritz Travel Company family,” said David Peckinpaugh, president of Maritz Travel Company. “She brings a unique, external and global perspective that will help ensure that we have the right strategic approach and nimble solutions to achieve success and long-term sustainable growth.”
Hicks recently served as senior vice president of sales for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, influencing the company’s business strategy and increasing its global sales. During her 30-year career in the industry, Hicks has been seen as a visionary, serving on various boards, and receiving multiple awards and recognitions for her contributions, including being named one of Forbes' 25 Most Influential Women in Travel and among the 25 Most Successful People in the Meetings Industry.
“Maritz Travel Company is a long-admired company in the hospitality industry that is known for its customer-first culture,” said Hicks. “It’s because of this reputation, along with the company’s focus on its people, that I’m honored to join the team and help them set the path for continued success.”
Hicks joins existing Maritz Travel Company board members, including Peckinpaugh, Steve Maritz, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Maritz Holdings, Dennis Hummel, President of Maritz Holdings, and Rick Ramos, CFO of Maritz Holdings.
“Christie’s passion for our industry is unmatched,” Peckinpaugh said. “She’s a natural fit for our company and we look forward to leaning on her invaluable expertise to help shape our company’s future.”
About Maritz Travel Company
Maritz Travel Company – consisting of Maritz Travel Meetings & Incentives and Experient – is one of the strongest, most diversely positioned leaders in the meeting, event and incentive travel industry within the areas of corporate, association, government and tradeshows. Through experience design, Maritz Travel Company helps transform organizations and people through the event experience. We are committed to perfecting the guest experience to deliver leading-edge thinking, experience, and technology solutions for meetings, conventions and exhibitions throughout the world. For more information, please visit www.maritztravel.com or www.experient-inc.com, or follow us on Twitter @MaritzTravel or @Experient_Inc.
