Whitmer and friends spent $178,156 on seven-day trip to Europe

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and 15 others spent about $178,156 on a seven-day trip in June 2026 to France, Luxembourg, and Belgium, according to documents obtained through a records request. The governor claimed the trip was intended to pitch investors and military defense companies seeking to invest in the state.

The group spent $93,750 on accommodations, $40,058 on airfare, $17,899 on meals, $12,846 on transportation, 11,248 euros (or $12,823) on transportation, $3,367 on a cultural tour, $1,800 on airport fees and services, and $686 on renting a meeting room. About 4,469 euros (roughly $5,095) were refunded for accommodations.

The group arrived in Paris Sunday, June 14. They ate lunch at Le Paul Bert Cafe, spent time at the Saint Ouen Flea Market, and stayed at the Sofitel Paris Arc de Triomphe. The group attended Eurosatory, a conference on defense and security, according to the trip itinerary.

The group spent time at the Michigan Defense Networking Reception, visited the showroom of tech company Forvia, Valeo’s research and development center, and toured NATO’s supply and procurement agency.

Ref 208 McClallen Responsive Documents by mcclallen

Whitmer traveled with the following people:

• Chief of Staff JoAnne Huls
• Michigan Economic Development Corporation CEO Quentin Messer Jr.
• Henry Ford Health System Senior Vice President and Chief Government Relations Officer Marc Corriveau
• Michigan Health and Hospital Association Executive Vice President Laura Appel
• Priority Health/Corewell Health Senior Director of Government Relations Phil Yeiter
• Col. John T. Gutierrez (ret.), executive director of the Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation
• MEDC Investment Director of Europe Vlatko Tomic-Bobas
• Whitmer’s Deputy Chief of Staff Terry Krinvic
• Whitmer’s Executive Assistant Aungelica “Angel” Boshea
• MEDC Assistant Chief of Protocol Maci Gilmor.

Michigan will benefit from the official trip, Whitmer claimed in a June 15 news release.

“Michigan is open for business and on the move, working with anyone and competing with anyone to onshore good-paying jobs for Michiganders,” Whitmer said. “On this investment mission, we’ll strengthen ties with European allies, showcase Michigan’s leadership in advanced manufacturing, aerospace, defense, and innovation, and bring home new opportunities that create good-paying jobs for Michiganders. Let’s keep working together to attract investment, grow our economy, and ensure Michigan remains a top destination for companies looking to expand and succeed.”

The trip was funded by the MEDC and the Michigan Economic Development Foundation, Danielle Emerson, MEDC public relations manager told CapCon in an email. 

“Michigan’s defense and aerospace industry is a $30 billion+ industry full of companies of all sizes who call Michigan home,” Emerson wrote. “It is the responsibility of the governor of Michigan to tout such assets and capabilities when and where it is relevant. In doing so, Michigan became the first state to visit the NATO Support and Procurement Agency in Luxembourg, with the aim being to expand procurement opportunities for Michigan companies who may not have the means or capacity to do it themselves.

Furthermore, as we have previously stated, investment missions are not funded with taxpayer dollars and are critical to sustaining and building relationships with current and prospective businesses interested in Michigan’s talent, supply chain, R&D, and access to international markets. This is especially true for companies the governor visited – Saab, American Rheinmetall, and RENK Group among them – whose combined commitments to Michigan total more than $275 million in capital expenditures and R&D spending, as well as 820 jobs created.”

In January, Whitmer spent $61,000 on a six-day trip to Switzerland.

Whitmer spent $1 million on foreign travel in 2025, CapCon reported. The governor leaves office after this year.