DETROIT — The Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau (DMCVB) recently announced that it has named Claude Molinari, the current General Manager of the TCF Center, as its next President and CEO. In this role, Molinari will oversee the operations of the DMCVB, as well as develop the organization’s strategic direction, which will be instrumental in increasing economic growth in Detroit by bringing leisure and business visitors, and meetings and conventions, to the area. In addition, Molinari will be charged with creating the sales and marketing plan to guide the way the DMCVB will increase tourism and business travel to the region. He will step into this position on January 1, 2021.
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Molinari brings with him vast operational experience gained during his tenure at the TCF Center — which is the 17th largest convention center in North America — where he has managed daily activities since 2016 after spending five years as the Assistant General Manager. From developing and maintaining a budget to creating security and crisis management plans for the venue to negotiating with local trade unions, he has been instrumental in the Center’s business operations — qualifications that helped Molinari beat out 13 other strong candidates for the DMCVB’s CEO position.
“Claude is uniquely positioned to accept this new role,” said DMCVB board member Christina Lovio-George, who is Chairman of the organization’s search committee, as well as CEO and President of Lovio George Communications + Design. “He knows the DMCVB business, he understands the role of tourism, meetings and conventions as an economic driver in the region, and he intimately understands the challenges the tourism and hospitality industry are facing now as it deals with the impact of COVID-19.”
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Molinari will be the successor of current President and CEO Larry Alexander, who is retiring after leading the DMCVB for the last 22 years.
“Looking toward the future, Claude’s deep understanding of the vital role the TCF Center plays in the overall economic health of the entire Detroit region will be invaluable as the partnership grows to new levels,” said Alexander, who will continue to serve as the Chairmen of the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority.
Reach Claude Molinari at (313) 498-7339 or cmolinari@tcfcenterdetroit.com; Christina Lovio-George at (313) 832-2210 or ideas@loviogeorge.com; and Larry Alexander at (313) 202-1800 or lalexander@VisitDetroit.com.
