Behind the scenes, Detroit tourism exec had another job — get healthy

Any way you slice it, Claude Molinari has had one heck of a year as he celebrated announcements about events promoting Detroit that he helped facilitate while also weathering a tough moment — one that would have rocked most folks to their core.

It was a year ago when Molinari, a health conscious runner who had been feeling tired, was told by doctors he had an aggressive type of leukemia.

Molinari, president and CEO of Visit Detroit, which is the parent organization of the Detroit Sports Commission, is a hard-charging exec involved with bringing business conferences and marque sporting events to the region, including the 2024 NFL draft, the upcoming 2027 Final Four NCAA Men’s Basketball and MDEX x XPONENTIAL 2026, the largest drone trade show in North America that will happen at Huntington Place in a few weeks.

The married father of two (he and wife, Kelly, have a son and a daughter who attend Michigan State University) also is one of the most optimistic, glass-half-full kind of leaders, the kind who would make Norman Vincent Peale, author of "The Power of Positive Thinking," smile.

Molinari has maintained his unbridled optimism as he battles his illness, keeping his hectic schedule, which includes business trips to Europe and other places.

Molinari saw a second doctor, got a more optimistic diagnosis as he began chemotherapy last summer and was diagnosed as being cancer free in January.

“The latest scan showed no signs of the disease,” he told me. “The medical team is very optimistic and I don’t need to see the doctors again until October. As of this moment, I’m cancer free!”

Few knew the seriousness of his situation as he has maintained his focus on health. He’s often seen swimming and working out at the Detroit Athletic Club.

“I know being in good shape has made all difference as I have fought this," he said.

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Bringing the world to Detroit

Molinari came to Detroit in 2011 from New York and worked as second in command at Cobo Center (aka Huntington Place) the largest convention center in Michigan, which he would run a few years later. He was tapped to take over Visit Detroit in 2021.

He works with local, statewide and global organizations and Detroit champions like Dan Gilbert, Roger Penske and Bill Ford.

“Claude has not only been a tremendous ambassador globally for southeast Michigan and the entire state, but also he has been a strategic thought partner for economic development, all the while battling with quiet resolve his own health challenges,” said Quentin L. Messer Jr., president/CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corp. “He’s a world-class leader who has made Detroit, southeast Michigan and Michigan better.”

Added the Rev. John Phelps, president and CEO of the nonprofit Life Directions, which was created to give young people opportunities:

“Claude’s been a guiding force in mobilizing Detroit’s business community to invest in not only growth but in people, too, creating real opportunity and helping address the root cause of violence through leadership that inspires others to act.”

Molinari will receive the organization’s Guiding Light Award at its Spark of Hope Gala on May 9 at the Wintergarden at the RenCen in Detroit. (Ryan Sullivan, CEO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, also is being honored with the organization's Lifetime Achievement Award for inspiring young people.)

Molinari got a shout out by Peggy Williams, his counterpart at Visit Milwaukee, during a news conference in Milwaukee earlier in April when it was announced that the Michelin Guide will offer a new regional guide to best restaurants in six cities — Detroit, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis and Pittsburgh — in 2027.

The idea was the brainchild of Molinari who came up with it after Detroit won its Michelin Green Guide focusing on travel and cultural attractions.

"We hoped they might consider Detroit for its restaurant edition,” he said. “When that did not spark their interest, we came back with the idea of including several cities in the region together,” he added.

Molinari and his team also had a hand in Vogue magazine’s article touting things to see and do while in Detroit.

They did not pay for the article, but pitched it to editors and raised what so many other national publications have written about — Detroit is a cool place with lots going on.

MDEX x XPONENTIAL 2026 happens May 12-14 and will turn Huntington Place into the epicenter of defense, advanced manufacturing, autonomy, and uncrewed systems as the Michigan Defense Expo (MDEX) co-locates with XPONENTIAL, the world’s largest autonomy and uncrewed systems event. The event expects to draw 11,000 people from across the globe to the Motor City.

Molinari traveled to Germany last year to help entice event organizers to hold it in the Motor City.

In 2028, Detroit will host the U.S. Travel Association’s IPW event, the largest travel trade show in the world that attracts buyers and media from more than 60 countries, at Huntington Place.

Molinari’s already working on it, making sure there are enough translators on hand. “You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression,“ he said.

As he looks ahead, he’s got a hopeful eye on leaders in Lansing to provide more resources to help the region and state compete in the battle for signature, big-money events.

“Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently proposed $6 million for large special event funding in Michigan’s fiscal year 2027 budget," he said. “That’s an encouraging step and acknowledgment that these events move the needle for Michigan’s economy.”

“Michigan has the venues, the fan base and the hospitality industry to host the biggest events in the world,” he said. “What we’re missing is the funding structure that lets us compete for them on the same footing as other states.”

Contact Carol Cain at clcain@cbs.com. She is senior producer/host of "Michigan Matters," which airs 5:30 a.m. Sundays on CBS Detroit and 9:30 a.m. Sundays on CW Detroit 50. See Chuck Marshall, president of ITC Michigan, and Diallo Smith, CEO of Life Remodeled, on this week’s show. You can watch the show simultaneously on the two stations' listings on Fubu, Pluto TV, YouTube TV and Apple TV.