2025 event reaches BRONZE level certification for environmental and social responsibility
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 22, 2026) – The Events Industry Council announced today that Maritz’s brand event, Activate 2025, an annual event for Maritz supplier partners and team members, has achieved BRONZE level certification to the EIC’s Sustainable Event Standards. Maritz is a leader in the meetings and event management industry. This is the first certification for a Maritz brand event.
“This exciting milestone reflects our belief that caring for people and caring for the planet go hand in hand,” said David Peckinpaugh, President and CEO of Maritz. “As an organization dedicated to unleashing human potential through meaningful experiences, we are committed to designing events that create value for our clients and communities while reducing environmental impact. This certification reinforces our responsibility to lead by example across the global events ecosystem.”
The EIC Sustainable Event Standards were created through a global collaborative process with participation from subject matter experts in all sectors. They provide a framework for collaboration and a strong focus on guidance and metrics so that event professionals at all stages of their sustainability journey have the support needed to implement and measure sustainable practices.
The standards specify performance criteria in the areas of organisational management; marketing; communications and engagement; climate action; water management; materials and circularity; supply chain management; diversity, equity and inclusion; accessibility; and social impact. To date, more than 300 professionals have participated in the review of the standards. The event organiser standard is one of several comprehensive standards for environmentally sustainable events.
“Maritz’s Activate certification highlights how sustainability can be thoughtfully embedded into the design and execution of corporate events,” said Amy Calvert, President and CEO of the Events Industry Council. “By achieving BRONZE level certification, Maritz is demonstrating leadership in aligning event experiences with measurable environmental and social responsibility, while advancing best practices that benefit the industry as a whole.”
The Alliance for Audited Media, a not-for-profit auditing organisation, performed the independent third-party certification of the event’s compliance with the Event Organiser standard.
“Maritz’s achievement with Activate reflects a commitment to integrating sustainability standards into event planning and delivery,” said Richard Murphy, CEO, President and Managing Director of the Alliance for Audited Media. “We congratulate Maritz on its commitment to advancing responsible event practices and contributing to positive impact across the industry.”
Contact:
For all EIC media enquiries, additional comment and request for interviews, please contact Steve Dobbins, Events Industry Council
Tel: +1 323 578 2671 / Email: media@eventscouncil.org
ABOUT EVENTS INDUSTRY COUNCIL
The Events Industry Council’s global federation includes 33 Association Members representing 103,500 individuals and 19,500 entities, and more than 30 Corporate Members with global operations and event teams in countries around the world.
EIC is the global champion for event professionals and event industry excellence. It promotes high standards and professionalism in the events industry with the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) programme and signature programme activities. The CMP credential is recognised globally as the badge of excellence in the events industry. The qualifications for certification are based on professional experience, education and a rigorous exam. Learn more at www.eventscouncil.org.
ABOUT MARITZ
Maritz is a 132-year-old leader in business and human performance that elevates human potential through tailored solutions in channel partnerships, loyalty, employee rewards, sales incentives, automotive and meetings & events. We use our deep knowledge of behavioral science, combined with data insights and analytics, to solve business challenges for our Fortune 500 clients. For more information, visit maritz.com.
ABOUT THE ALLIANCE FOR AUDITED MEDIA
As the largest not-for-profit media assurance organization, the Alliance for Audited Media delivers impartial, credible data to help media buyers buy and sellers sell. AAM works alongside the media and advertising industry to establish standards that can be verified independently, ensuring the legitimacy of the businesses that drive media's progress. AAM also provides verification for compliance programs including brand safety, privacy, sustainability and tech assurance. Learn more at auditedmedia.com.