RCMA Appoints David Wright as President & CEO
PRESS RELEASE: APRIL 15, 2026
The Religious Conference Management Association (RCMA) is pleased to announce the appointment of David Wright as its next President and CEO, effective July 1, 2026. A trusted leader within the RCMA community, Wright currently serves as RCMA’s Vice President of Partner Relations and has been an integral part of the association’s work for more than a decade.
RCMA is the trusted community for faith-based meeting planners and hospitality partners, fostering learning, collaboration, and professional growth. Wright steps into this role as the association builds on the strong foundation established during Dr. Harry Schmidt’s 14 years of leadership. During his tenure, Dr. Schmidt guided a season of meaningful growth for RCMA, including the launch of EMERGE, the introduction of the CFMP certification, and the continued strengthening of the association’s presence across the meetings landscape.
Board Chair Al Hutchinson shared, “After a nationwide search conducted by SearchWide Global in collaboration with the RCMA Search Committee, the RCMA Board is pleased to announce the appointment of David Wright as the organization’s next President and CEO. The Board is enthusiastic about David’s passion, vision, and extensive experience within the faith-based community. We look forward to working alongside him to deliver strong leadership for faith-based leaders and the supplier community, ensuring that RCMA remains a vital and influential voice in the industry.”
Wright has been instrumental in strengthening partnerships, increasing engagement, and helping drive the growth of RCMA’s programs and events, including EMERGE. Before joining RCMA, David held leadership roles with MeetingsNet, Mandel Media Group, and Navigate Media, where he worked closely with destinations, venues, and industry organizations. He currently serves on the Destinations International Marketing Committee and holds the Certified Destination Management Executive designation.
“I am honored to serve as the next President and CEO of the Religious Conference Management Association,” Wright said. “I am deeply grateful to the Board of Directors for their confidence, to the exceptional RCMA staff for their dedication, and to the many mentors and leaders who have shaped my journey, especially Dr. Harry Schmidt.
“RCMA stands as a leader in advancing professionalism and best practices within the faith-based meetings industry. It is a unique and powerful community where diverse beliefs come together to learn, collaborate, and strengthen one another in service of a purpose greater than themselves. The impact of this work extends far beyond individual events, enriching attendees, strengthening communities, and creating lasting, meaningful change.
“My family and I have been profoundly touched by the RCMA community over the past 11 years. I look forward to building on this strong foundation and working alongside our members to expand opportunities, deepen engagement, and deliver even greater value in the years ahead.”
RCMA enters this new chapter with confidence, gratitude, and a shared commitment to continued excellence. The association looks forward to continuing its growth and creating new opportunities to serve faith-based planners and suppliers across the meetings industry.
About RCMA
The Religious Conference Management Association (RCMA), founded in 1972, is the premier multi-faith, nonprofit organization serving religious meeting planners and their supplier partners. RCMA is dedicated to raising the standard of professionalism within the faith-based events industry and enhancing the experience of religious meeting attendees worldwide. Through its signature EMERGE conference, educational programs, certification (CFMP), and year-round professional networking, RCMA fosters a collaborative community where planners and suppliers learn from one another and work together to achieve excellence in faith-based events.