MICHIGAN ON THE GLOBAL STAGE

With the foundation’s support, Michigan and the MEDC are able to bring a presence to many global markets, from booth space to networking events.

SelectUSA Investment Summit

Gov. Whitmer attended the SelectUSA Investment Summit outside Washington, D.C. She was one of 16 governors who participated in the event’s largest showing to date, welcoming six Cabinet members, over 600 economic development organizations, and more than 4,900 attendees from 83 international markets.

While at the summit, Gov. Whitmer joined German mobility testing company Dekra to announce a $22.8 million investment in Michigan. The company will establish its automotive test center of excellence for testing the latest in electrification, automotive communications technology, and cybersecurity.

These projects stem from a 2023 memorandum of understanding between the MEDC and BW-I, an international economic and scientific cooperation organization based in Stuttgart. The deal was signed during the governor’s mission to Germany the year before to encourage investment and trade between the two regions.

CES 2024

At CES 2024 in Las Vegas, the 12th annual COVESA Showcase and Networking Reception brought together guests and speakers, including Lt. Gov. Gilchrist, Joerg Heur of EcoG, and Natalie King of Dunamis Charge. The event featured more than 65 showcases, booths, and demonstrations on EV charging, connected vehicles, and cloud services. The reception was hosted by Covesa, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to developing common approaches and technologies for connected vehicles, with members including Ford Motor Co., General Motors, and Denso.

High-Profile Conferences and Trade Shows

The Midwest US Japan Conference furthers the shared interests of American and Japanese political and business leaders. This annual event provides an opportunity to share insights into Japan’s markets and resources, as well as the Midwest’s export potential, FDI opportunities, and dynamic business environment. With help from the MEDF, Michigan set up an exhibit and hosted important company representatives.

Along with company leaders, reaching site selectors is an important part of winning the projects that keep Michigan moving forward. The MEDF is central to that aim, helping Team Michigan make its presence known in Salt Lake City for Economix 2024 and in Toronto for SelectUSA Canada. These events provided an opportunity to gain insights into industry trends and site consultant perspectives through networking, presentations, one-on-one meetings, and small group activities.

These are only the beginning of Michigan’s worldwide campaign, thanks to the MEDF. The state also held industry gatherings after other international events, including Medica, one of the world’s largest medical B2B trade events, in Düsseldorf, Germany; MD&M West, a premier medtech trade show, in Anaheim, California; Bio International, a conference put on by the world’s largest biotech trade association, in Boston; and Pitti Uomo, the international men’s fashion show in Florence, Italy.