OUR TEAM

Executive Team | Meeting Site Selection

Carla Salvans-Buchborn, CMP

President | carla@meetinginnovations.com

With over 25 years in the hospitality industry, including 7 years as Sales Manager for one of the largest convention hotels in the world, our President Carla Salvans-Buchborn, CMP, has orchestrated over 4,500 group meetings, providing her clients valuable expertise in meeting planning and contract negotiation.

A Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), Carla is recognized as having achieved the industry’s highest standards of professionalism. The CMP designation is the foremost certification program of today’s meetings and convention industry. In addition to passing the rigorous and comprehensive examination, candidates must demonstrate longevity in the field and accountability for successful meetings.

Renowned for her industry expertise and valued by both clients and hotel partners, Carla serves on several industry committees, and has been involved in various educational events as instructor and presenter. She is an active member of Meeting Professional International (MPI) and the International Association of Hispanic Meeting Professionals.

Having lived and worked in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Las Vegas, her extensive knowledge of these destinations are truly beneficial to our clients. Her strong relationships with the best hotels around the world make her an essential part of the coordination of any meeting site selection or event.

Richard Buchborn

Vice President | rick@meetinginnovations.com

As Vice President, Rick Buchborn oversees the day to day operations of Meeting Innovations. He is responsible for the company’s strategic growth and effectiveness in the marketplace. Rick maintains our brand awareness, while continuing our long standing relationships throughout the industry.

With over 30 years as a logistical expert and engineer in Corporate America, the transition to meeting site selection and event planning has come naturally. As a former client, Rick provides a unique perspective to our Industry, with his keen eye for details which serves as invaluable insight to both our clients and hotel partners.

His previous planning experience includes coordinating events for some of Philadelphia’s elite, from Senators to Rock Stars… Rick has seen it all. A lover of the arts and active member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), he passes along his experience to the community through regional theater, children’s programs and mentoring our future stars.

Dara Pierce

VP of Meetings & Incentives | dara@meetinginnovations.com

Dara Pierce, our new Vice President of Meetings & Incentives was born and raised in Las Vegas, the city synonymous with hospitality.  With more than 15 years in the industry, Dara embodies the highest level of hotel experience, which translates into an “Insiders Perspective” for our clients.

Dara has worked & led top producing sales teams, at some of the most recognized convention resorts, including Caesars Palace, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage.  In 2018, Dara relocated to lead the sales division in the most iconic, luxury hotel in Seattle, The Fairmont Olympic. There, she further cultivated her exceptional skills and expertise in contract negotiations, site selection, budgeting and operational planning.

Passionate about traveling and experiencing new destinations, Dara has had the opportunity to travel the nation attending coveted conferences and experiencing renowned destinations and resorts.  But as we know, the best part about traveling is coming home… where in her case, several wagging tails are waiting.  A lover of animals, Dara is an active member and advocate for rescues & fosters… well, mostly rescues,  as most of her foster fur babies have become part of her fur-ever family.

Dara’s knowledge and experience in the industry makes her an invaluable part of any organization.  We are so honored to welcome her to Meeting Innovations, as we expand our vision for 2020 and beyond

Casey Stiles

Operations & Event Coordinator | casey@meetinginnovations.com

To say that Casey has a thirst for life would be an understatement. Born and raised in Harker Heights Texas, in the shadow of Fort Hood, Casey learned early that obstacles are really opportunities.

Graduating high school at 17 with enough credit hours to enter Texas A&M University as a sophomore, Casey never broke stride.  Ever the multi-tasker and over-achiever, she juggled 21 credit hours while working part time.  When A&M limited her to class schedule to16 hours, Casey enrolled in 2 additional colleges, in order to continue the pace she set herself.

Graduating 2.5 years later, this Aggie followed her college sweetheart to Houston, where she landed a job as a training coordinator in the oil and gas industry. Setting up events all over the country led Casey to set her sights on the larger global events market.

Prioritizing her passion for travel and family, Casey has recently embraced 2 new roles.  First we congratulate her on her new marriage. Second we welcome her into the Meeting Innovations family.  She’s entered both seamlessly.

Billie Hauschel

Manager of Meetings | billie@meetinginnovations.com

Our newest member has the richest history. This Pasadena native and former Rose Bowl beauty queen made her way to Acapulco Mexico in the swinging ‘60’s to launch her career. Working as an event planner and luxury estate manager, she handled corporate events for 7-Eleven International and the ultra-cool Braniff Airlines…. Anyone remember the “End of the Plain Plane?” Acapulco was the hottest destination and Billie’s events hosted the Who’s-Who of Hollywood, the corporate world and even US President, Lyndon B Johnson. Always a few steps ahead of the curve Billie has had success as a business owner, managed architectural firms and was an accomplished manager of a multi -million dollar Texas real estate firm. Meeting Innovations is excited to have a member of our team with such diverse experience and a never-ending source of amazing stories. Let us proudly introduce our Manager of Meetings, Billie Hauschel or as we affectionately call her MoM.

Meet just some of our clients