The Michigan Opportunity

Twenty Years of Pure Michigan: Exclusive Insights from Michigan’s Tourism Experts

The Pure Michigan Governor’s Conference on Tourism is Michigan's premier annual event for travel and hospitality leaders to collaborate on advancing the state's visitor economy. Over three days, 500+ industry professionals engaged in dynamic workshops and networking focused on digital marketing, inclusivity, and the Governor's Awards for Innovative Tourism Collaboration.

We got an exclusive look into the conference as it celebrated 20 years of the Pure Michigan marketing campaign. Hear from the state’s tourism and hospitality leaders as they discuss how Pure Michigan evolved the culture in the state, the latest travel trends, and the massive economic impact tourism has in Michigan. 

Guests include:

Kelly Wolgamott, Vice President of Pure Michigan, Michigan Economic Development Corporation; Liz Ware, VP Sales and Marketing, Mission Point Resort; Sarah Miller, President and CEO, Destination Ann Arbor; Trevor Tkach, CDME, CFEE, President & CEO, Traverse City Tourism; Ken Hayward, Chief Operating Officer, Visit Detroit; Brianna Bowen, BS, Bay Mills Indian Community; Janet Korn, Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Experience Grand Rapids; Linda Hoath, Executive Director, Visit Sault Ste. Marie

Driving global investment to Detroit: What does it take to position a region for global competitiveness in today’s economy?

In this episode, we sit down with Maureen Donohue Krauss, Detroit Regional Partnership (DRP) CEO, to explore how Southeast Michigan is attracting investment, growing jobs, and competing on the world stage. Maureen shares insights on the region’s strategy to win major projects, including the initiatives – VIP by DRP and Global Epicenter of Mobility. From advanced manufacturing and mobility to emerging technologies, she highlights how Metro Detroit is leveraging its legacy strengths while building for the future.

Where is Michigan placing its biggest bets for the future? Diving into MEDC’s investment priorities with people, places and projects

We sit down with Michelle Grinnell, Chief Communications & Attraction Officer at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), to break down the state’s investment priorities shaping the next generation of growth. She offers how MEDC is positioning the state to attract investment, support innovation, and build long-term economic resilience. Additionally, Michelle turns the tables and asks host Ed Clemente about the podcast’s past 5 years of highlighting the people, businesses, and communities that have impacted the state’s economy.

Powering Michigan’s Transition: How LEO is Shaping the Future of Work and Industry

We sit down with Jonathan Smith, Senior Chief Deputy Director at the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) and explore how Michigan is navigating one of the most significant economic transitions in its history. 

Jonathan leads the Community and Worker Economic Transition Office, with a focus on helping workers, communities, and businesses adapt to major industry shifts—from energy evolution to the transformation of the automotive sector. He discusses building long-term economic resilience through workforce development, strategic community planning, and strengthening industrial competitiveness.

Diplomacy at the local level: Inside the Mexican Consulate in Detroit, Michigan

In this episode, we welcome back Roberto Vazquez of the Consulate of Mexico in Detroit to talk about the important work happening every day to support Mexican nationals and strengthening ties with Michigan. We talk about the rise of Trade between Michigan and Mexico across several industries including the large automotive manufacturing partnership, international diplomacy, and how community engagement comes together in Michigan. Consul Vazquez shares insights into his unique diplomatic post, the history of the Mexican community in Michigan, and more. 

Manufacturing without borders: What it takes to lead a global manufacturing company while navigating supply chains, innovation and international markets

On this episode we sit down with Lucerne International CEO, Mary Buchzeiger, getting an inside look at how this certified Women Business Enterprise (WBE) company is connecting advanced manufacturing with partners and customers around the world. Mary offers a candid conversation on international trade, reshoring, foreign trade zones and more. Hear how this Michigan company is thriving in the global marketplace while staying rooted locally.

From research to real-world results: how the University of Michigan - Economic Growth Institute powers business innovation

The University of Michigan - Economic Growth Institute (EGI) leverages U-M’s research, technologies, and expertise to help small and medium-sized businesses innovate and grow, drive regional economic development, and translate applied research into real-world impact. 

In this episode we talk with Executive Director, Steven Wilson about how EGI provides strategic support, funding, research analysis, and hands-on collaboration with companies and communities to build long-term economic vitality across Michigan and beyond. Steve also talks about how EGI is working with the MEDC and the Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation and shares his deep Michigan roots. 

From $35B in Sustainable Capital to The Power of &™: Matt Elliott on Driving Durable Growth and Community Impact

Matt Elliott, Founder and CEO of Blue Lake Ideas, is a nationally recognized business and sustainability leader who advises executives and boards on navigating complexity and driving durable growth through his The Power of &™ leadership framework. In this episode Matt discusses his background as President of Bank of America Michigan and Sustainability Executive for Business and Global Commercial Banking. Diving into how he led teams across nine states and deployed more than $35 billion in sustainable capital. 

Additionally, Matt is a former Chair of the Detroit Regional Chamber and board leader with Business Leaders for Michigan, the Michigan Israel Business Accelerator, and the Detroit Economic Club.

Powering the Next Generation of Mobility in Michigan 

On this episode of The Michigan Opportunity Podcast, we highlight Emotiv Mobility, a Michigan-based leader in supply chain integration, assembly, and advanced logistics. Vice Chairwoman, Lori Lancaster and Strategic Energy Lead, Tony Tomczak, discuss how Emotiv Mobility integrates logistics, engineered systems, manufacturing, and value-added assembly to power the next generation of mobility and energy infrastructure. Lori talks about how Emotiv looks at Michigan’s automotive roots and finds ways to move them into parallel industries including aerospace, energy and more. While Tony shares with us his project on developing oil-fill distribution transformers. 

Dow is driving the future of sustainable mobility in Midland, Michigan

As the Global Marketing and Strategy Director for Dow Mobility Science™, Ryan Smith is at the forefront of the automotive industry's rapid transition toward electrification and sustainability. He leads global go-to-market strategies that align Dow’s deep material science expertise with the needs of the growing EV market. In this episode he discusses how Dow materials work with autonomous vehicles, vehicle electrification process, and more. Ryan also hosts the insightful video series “The Road Ahead”, and oversees major global investments for Dow including the first European MobilityScience™ Innovation Studio in Italy.