The Michigan Opportunity
Through dynamic discussion, The Michigan Opportunity markets the state and promotes Michigan as a world-class business location. The podcast serves as a forward-thinking voice for Michigan as a conduit to global trends and applications in the new global economy.
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Latest Episode
Pure Michigan Governor's Conference on Tourism Part 2
We continue our talk with tourism and hospitality leaders at the Pure Michigan Governor's Conference on Tourism about current trends in the travel industry, the economic impact of travel and tourism on Michigan’s economy, and what’s new in Pure Michigan for the 2025 spring and summer travel season. Guests include Choose Lansing, Motor Cities National Heritage Area, Crystal Mountain and Advance Travel & Tourism.
PreviousEpisodes
Pure Michigan Governor's Conference on Tourism Part 1
We talk with tourism and hospitality leaders at the Pure Michigan Governor's Conference on Tourism about current trends in the travel industry, the economic impact of travel and tourism on Michigan’s economy, and what’s new in Pure Michigan for the 2025 spring and summer travel season. Guests include Visit Detroit, The Henry Ford Museum, Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association and more.
Zach Riberdy, Marketing Director, Connors Sports
Connor Sports Marketing Director, Zach Riberdy, shares how the company got started, their sustainability practices, an NCAA partnership, and more. Through their partnership with the NCAA® they provide over 14 floors for the March Madness® Division I Men's and Women's Basketball Championships culminating in the Final Four®.
April Clobes, President and Chief Executive Officer, MSUFCU
April Clobes, President and CEO of MSUFCU, discusses the history of the credit union and what the credit union offers to Michigan residents. She joined the Credit Union in 1996 and moved through many positions within the organization prior to being named President and CEO in 2015. She serves on five #FinTech Advisory Boards.
Jill Bahm, Partner, Giffels Webster
Jill Bahm is a Partner at Giffels Webster, a Michigan-based firm serving public, private, and institutional clients with their community planning, infrastructure, and land development needs. In this episode, she discusses how Giffels Webster helps communities with their vision for the future, working with MEDC and the Redevelopment Ready program, and more.
Tonya Schuitmaker, J.D. & Rudy Hobbs Co-Directors at the Michigan Political Leadership Program
Since 1992, over 800 Michigan Political Leadership Program (MPLP) graduates have applied the skills and relationships they learned to work in their communities and serve in statewide offices. Tonya Schuitmaker and Rudy Hobbs are Co-Directors of MPLP at Michigan State University. They share with us how MPLP Fellows gain expertise to tackle public policy issues as candidates for office, as government officials or as citizen activists.
Simon Sylvester-Chaudhuri, Founder and Executive Director, CIV:LAB and Allison Lucas, Chief of staff CIV:LAB
CIV:LAB was born out of a need for more coordination and collaboration between the various stakeholders that work to make cities more sustainable. We sit down with Founder and Executive Director, Simon Sylvester-Chaudhuri, and Chief of Staff, Allison Lucas, to learn more about CIV:LAB’s mission and vision.
Marty Fittante, CEO, InvestUP
We welcome back InvestUP CEO, Marty Fittante, to discuss the current projects happening in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Fittante talks about the U.P.'s unique impact in the aerospace and defense industry, shares the various housing and seed fund projects to help tackle population challenges, as well as give insight into the Soo Locks project that is critical to international shipping.
Dwight A. Ferrell, General Manager, Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation
As the General Manager of the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART), Dwight A. Ferrell oversees a complex organization that provides essential public transit and paratransit services to the residents of Southeast Michigan. Ferrell has more than 35 years of experience in the public sector, managing large-scale operations, budgets, programs, and projects for some of the nation's most prominent transit agencies.
Michael Van Denend, Executive Director, World Affairs Council of Western Michigan
We talk with Michael Van Denend, Executive Director of the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan. He discusses how the World Affairs Council is dedicated to educating people in western Michigan about other countries, cultures, and regions of the world and provides a forum for discussing critical foreign policy issues facing the country. The Council is best known for sponsoring its award-winning Great Decisions Global Discussion Series.
Haley Bennett, Director of Government Relations for Traverse Connect and the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance
We chat with Haley Bennett, Director of Government Relations for Traverse Connect and the Norther Michigan Chamber Alliance, about how Traverse Connect is supporting area businesses through a combination of business attraction and retention strategies and talent development efforts. As well as, how the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance is advocating for rural northern Michigan and moving forward rural-centric business policy.
Podcast transcripts are available upon request here.
About the Host: Ed Clemente
Ed Clemente joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) in 2020 as the Senior Advisor for Trends and Development.
From 2012-2020, Clemente served as a two-term governor appointed Hearing Commissioner for the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC). Executing over 7,000 judicial Orders/Decisions, over the tenure of service. Prior joining the MLCC, Clemente launched Michigan’s Energy Innovation Business Council (EIBC) establishing it as 501c3 and 501c6 entity and serving as its first President.
Ed Clemente was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2004 representing parts of southern Wayne County. During his three terms in the State House (2004-2010) he led task forces on electric vehicles, biosciences, film industry, Brownfield restoration, economic development, quality of life and advanced energy. Before his tenure as a public official, Clemente held several leadership roles at the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber of Commerce, including President and Director Economic and Business Development. He also previously chaired the Economic Development Committee of the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments and was elected as a Trustee for Wayne County Community College District, serving four terms.
Clemente has earned degrees from Ferris State, Michigan State University and Sienna Heights Universities. Clemente was awarded with a prestigious fellowship to the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and The National Judicial College for Administrative Law. He graduated from several political leadership development programs, including Leadership Detroit, Michigan Political Leadership Program, and Leadership 21. He is a previous small business owner and has taught at Northwood University. Additionally, he hosts a “Critical Conversations” podcast and is a member of the Workforce Advisors for Wayne County Community College. Ed serves on the Board of Directors for Global Ties Detroit and the Motor Cities National Heritage Area. An avid traveler, Ed has visited more than 80 countries and territories, 150+ UNESCO World Heritage sites, many to play rugby tournaments, others for professional exchange and some for just intellectual curiosity.
The Michigan Opportunity is brought to you by Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). In collaboration with more than 100 economic development partners, MEDC markets Michigan as the place to do business, assists businesses in their growth strategies and fosters the growth of vibrant communities across the state.
