Claude Molinari

President & CEO
Visit Detroit

Since January 1, 2021, Claude Molinari has been the President and CEO of the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau (DBA Visit Detroit).
In this role, Molinari is responsible for overseeing Visit Detroit's operations and developing its strategic direction. He provides the leadership and direction necessary to enable Visit Detroit to attract meetings and conventions, leisure, and business visitors to metropolitan Detroit while accelerating economic growth for the southeast Michigan region. He leads the creation of the organization's annual sales and marketing plan, which outlines the strategy Visit Detroit will take to attract tourism and meeting businesses to the region. He additionally oversees the development of the annual budget.

Molinari served as the co-chair for the 2024 NFL Draft, which saw a record breaking 775,000 attendees over three days, 54 million viewers on TV, and 5,700 media pieces praising Detroit. He has overseen a remarkable recovery for travel and events to Detroit, including a record 2023, which saw hotel lodging revenue exceed $1 billion for the first time ever in the region.

In addition to overseeing Visit Detroit, Molinari also manages the Detroit Sports Commission (a subsidiary of Visit Detroit), which is responsible for securing amateur sports for Southeast Michigan and attracting regional, national, and international sporting events.

Molinari came to Visit Detroit from Huntington Place (also previously known as TCF Center), the 16th largest convention center in North America. As general manager he was responsible for managing day-to-day operations and business development.
Molinari was uniquely positioned to accept his new role as DMCVB president and CEO because of his understanding of the convention center’s role as an economic driver in the region. He accepted the position at a challenging time for the industry as it dealt with the impact of COVID-19. As the pandemic subsided, Molinari led the rebuilding of the Bureau, restoring staffing levels and launching a successful rebranding of Visit Detroit.

Molinari’s history at Huntington Place began when it was the former Cobo Center. From 2011-2016 he served as assistant general manager with oversight of operations, security, events and production services, and union labor services. He was named general manager in March of 2016 by SMG/ASM Global and forged a strong partnership between the DMCVB and the Huntington Place operation during that time.

Molinari serves as the Chairman of the Board of the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority (DRCFA) appointed by the Governor of Michigan. Additionally, he serves on the board of directors for The Parade Company, the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, the Engineering Society of Detroit, Destinations International, the U.S. Travel Association, and as a director at large for the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG).