Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority Names Claude Molinari Chairman of the Board
DETROIT (16 November 2022) – The Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority (DRCFA), the governing body of the world-class Huntington Place in downtown Detroit, is pleased to announce Claude Molinari has been elected Chairman of the Board of Directors. Molinari is the CEO of the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau, known as Visit Detroit. His headshot is available here.
Molinari was appointed to the DRCFA Board by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2021. He has over 30 years of experience in the convention and meetings industry and over 10 years of experience in expanding tourism as an economic driver in the region and state.
“We are very fortunate to have Claude serve as Chairman of the DRCFA, especially with his deep experience in operating our Convention Center in Detroit and other centers in major cities throughout the U.S.,” said Patrick Bero, CEO and CFO, DRCFA. “His experience in building partnerships and the destination, as well as building Huntington Place to one of the top 20 convention centers in the country, is a major advantage for us going forward.” "There has never been a better time to bring meetings and conventions to metro Detroit, and I am honored to support the work of Huntington Place," said Molinari. "I look forward to building on past Chairs Larry Alexander and Lisa Canada's success as we bring new business to one of best convention centers in the country." Molinari was the General Manager of now Huntington Place from 2016-2021, and prior to that served as Assistant General Manager for six years. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, The Parade Company, SEMCOG, the Engineering Society of Detroit, Destinations International and the US Travel Association.
About Huntington Place
With 723,000 square feet of exhibit space, Huntington Place, Detroit’s convention center, boasts one of the largest contiguous exhibit floor spaces in North America and has the largest ballroom in Michigan with 40,000 square feet. It is a LEED Gold certified venue and has received numerous industry awards for excellence including the 2020 USGBC Leadership Award for Building Performance, making it the only convention center in the history of the award to receive it. Visit online at www.huntingtonplacedetroit.com.
About the DRCFA
In September 2009, operational control of Huntington Place transferred to the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority, under a collaborative agreement by the Michigan State Legislature, the City of Detroit, and Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. Each of these entities, as well as an appointee of the Governor of the State of Michigan, has an appointed member on the DRCFA Board. For more information visit: http://www.drcfa.org/.
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