Richard Harper

Richard joined HelmsBriscoe’s executive committee in 2012 with a primary role in supporting the company’s sales strategy and advancing their presence in the meetings industry. Richard’s responsibilities include representing the global brand across all market segments and ensuring HB’s offerings to their Clients are best in class. He also oversees HelmsBriscoe’s hotel and destination partnership programs, and drives the enhancement, growth and strategy behind these programs to ensure strong industry relationships.

A hospitality industry veteran with more than 35 years of experience, Richard has worked in food and beverage, guest services, catering, convention services and sales. He is a member of a variety of industry organizations including Meetings Professionals International, the Professional Convention Management Association, the Society of Incentive Travel Executives, the American Society for Association Executives as well as a founding member and former Co-Chair of the Meetings Mean Business Coalition. Richard has been recognized in the industry with several accolades; In 2017, he was recognized as a “Meetings Trendsetter” by Meetings Today,  in 2012, 2011 and 2006 he was named one of the “Top 25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry” by Successful Meetings, in 2006 was recognized as one of the "100 Most Influential People in the Tradeshow Business" by Tradeshow Week, and in 2004 was named one of the “Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Sales and Marketing” by the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI). Prior to joining HelmsBriscoe Richard held numerous leadership positions, most recently as the Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for MGM Resorts International.