Richard Harper

Richard joined HelmsBriscoe’s executive committee in 2012 with a primary role in supporting the company’s growth 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. Richard oversees HelmsBriscoe’s hotel and destination partnership programs, with a focus on fostering strong relationships between HB and industry representatives.

Richard has more than 35 years of hospitality industry experience, including food and beverage, guest services, catering, and convention services and sales. Richard is a member of a variety of industry organizations and is a past Co-Chair of the Meetings Mean Business Coalition, a nationally recognized advocacy and communications group promoting the value of face-to-face meetings. Richard has been recognized in the industry with several accolades. In 2017, he was recognized as a “Meetings Trendsetter” by Meetings Today; in 2012 and 2006 he was named one of the “Top 25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry” by Successful Meetings; in 2006, he was recognized as one of the "100 Most Influential People in the Tradeshow Business" by Tradeshow Week; and in 2004, he was named one of the “Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Sales and Marketing” by the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI). Richard has held numerous leadership positions, most recently as the Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for MGM Resorts International.