Gilchrist-led trip spent $245,000 on 2024 overseas trip

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist led a delegation that spent about $245,000 on a five-day economic development trip to Europe, according to more than 1,300 spending documents obtained through a record request.

Gilchrist was the highest-ranking official in a group consisting of at least 13 people. When not in meetings, members visited the Imperial War Museum, the Churchill War Room and the Brooklands Museum.

Most participants on the trip worked for or advised the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which spent $24,000 on sponsoring the Farnborough Air Show in the United Kingdom. Flight and hotel records show at least 14 people went on the trip:

• Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist
• Tracy Winston, chief of staff for the lieutenant governor
• Paul D. Rogers, director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
• Quentin Messer Jr., CEO of the MEDC
• Justine Johnson, MEDC vice president and chief mobility officer
• Charlie Tyson, MEDC technology activation director
• Ben Marchionna, MEDC chief innovation ecosystem officer
• Col. John Gutierrez (ret.), executive director, Michigan Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation
• Mark Ignash, senior sector development director and defense advisor for the MEDC
• Vlatko Tomic-Bobas, MEDC investment director
• Katelyn Wilcox, MEDC protocol director
• Jim Makowske, CEO of the Michigan Unmanned Aerial Systems Consortium
• Tony Vernaci, president and founder of the Aerospace Industry Association of Michigan.

The group paid $60,000 to the Cellet marketing and public relations firm, nearly $50,000 on airfare, and $4,688 on VIP service departure, records show.

Delegation members ate at Izakaya Asian Kitchen and Bar in Amsterdam, Cucina Tipica Italiana Trattoria Due in Hamburg, Bennie Restaurant and Bar in London, and OCO Tower Wharf, where members sipped cherry old fashions and gin martinis.

They reimbursed the cost of food from the Sky Garden Larch during the air show outside London.

The members spent $25,000 on a hotel deposit at the Westin in London, and $26,000 on transportation services, photography, and another hotel.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation calls itself a quasi-government agency, and it argues it was not spending taxpayer money. A separate entity, the Michigan Economic Development Foundation, supports the MEDC. It is funded by contributions from large businesses such as Ford, Meijer and Whirlpool.

Gilchrist, who is running for governor in 2026, hasn’t responded to a request for comment about how this spending helped Michigan.

For decades, Michigan’s governors have traveled overseas to attract talent and companies regardless of political affiliation, Otie McKinley, media and communications manager at the MEDC, told Michigan Capitol Confidential in an email.

“International travel missions are a critical component in our Make it in Michigan economic development strategy,” McKinley wrote. “Building relationships with international companies keeps Michigan top of mind as an ideal place for companies to do business as they look to the United States for potential investment opportunities. The MEDC works closely with the Michigan Economic Development Foundation to support these critically important international missions to drive employment and economic growth to Michigan, without being a burden on Michigan taxpayers.”

The group attended the Farnborough Air Show to connect with defense and aerospace companies, he said.

“Michigan’s presence at the airshow was a valuable opportunity to build relationships with aerospace suppliers of all sizes,” McKinley said. “As these companies look to the United States to expand their footprint and invest, it is our goal to make sure that Michigan is at the top of their consideration list of states with whom to do business.”

The aerospace and defense sector contributes $30 billion in economic activity for Michigan, supporting more than 166,000 jobs and representing nearly 4,000 businesses serving the defense, aerospace, and homeland security sectors, McKinley noted. The Michigan National Guard boasts five major installations and additional armories, including the National All-Domain Training Center in Grayling and one of the largest Air National Guard bases nationwide at Selfridge in Macomb County.

CapCon filed the request more than 200 days ago. The agency released the records on April 1.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has traveled overseas three times this year. She spent $175,000 going to the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, the Michigan Enjoyer reported, and she also visited Spain ($69,000) this year.

In 2023, Whitmer spent $285,000 on a seven-day trip to Japan, according to Center Square. A 2024 Taiwan junket cost $141,000.

(Editor's note: This article has been updated to clarify that 13 people attended the economic development trip, not 14, according to new documents obtained by CapCon.)