Students are putting the final touches on the 61st Northwood University International Auto Show (NUIAS), Oct. 4-6, 2024, in Midland.
Students invite residents from the Great Lakes Bay Region and beyond to “Shift into Gear” and check out this year’s show, which is the 61st NUIAS, an annual tradition that is renowned for being the largest outdoor student-run new car show in North America.
“One of my mentors in the automotive industry would always close meetings by saying, ‘Let’s shift into gear and make our day great,’ which inspired staff to have an amazing day while performing at the peak of our capabilities,” stated Alexander Mazon, a student from Westchester, New York, who is the general chair of this year’s NUIAS. “This, coupled with feedback from prior shows that encouraged us to incorporate an even greater emphasis on all things automotive, was the inspiration behind this year’s theme, ‘Shift into Gear.’”
Each year, NUIAS serves as a unique way for students to apply the concepts they learn in class outside of the classroom in a way that promotes the automotive industry while bringing thousands of visitors to Northwood each fall.
This year’s show will display up to 500 vehicles from over 65 manufacturers, vendors, and private owners. Attendees will see rare multi-million dollar hypercars curated from the Winkleman Collection, which is owned by a Northwood alumnus and long-time supporter.
“The hypercars from the Winkleman Collection will be displayed in the new Morey Courtyard,” noted Mazon, who encourages attendees to download the new NUIAS app on the IOS App Store and/or Google Play Store to see the show layout, hours, and concessions.
For guests age 21 and up, alcohol will be served at Tavern 59 from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, near the Four Seasons Building on the Mall Walk, as well as in Hantz Stadium during the football game that starts at 1 p.m. that day against Hillsdale College.
For those interested in purchasing food and other beverages, food trucks will be on site throughout the weekend, and there will be a woodside grill open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6.
Signature events feature industry leaders from across the country
“The 61st NUIAS is packed with exciting events, including two exclusive panels that will spotlight industry leaders and showcase female innovators in the automotive sector,” stated Signature Events Vice Chair Bella Smylie of Clare, Michigan.
Signature events on Friday, Oct. 4 include a VIP panel at 9:30 a.m. in Griswold Lecture Hall, and the show’s opening ceremony at 11:30 a.m. in the heart of campus at the John and Marjorie Hohman Amphitheater.
“The VIP Panel will showcase forward-thinking strategies from prominent industry executives,” explained Signature Events Chair Sydney Rizo of Harrison Township, Michigan. “They will discuss innovation, leadership, and future trends, and offer a deep dive into the forces shaping the automotive industry. Attendees can expect an enlightening session full of insights and perspectives from some of the field’s top leaders.”
VIP Panelists include:
- Jason Beidelman, vice president, manufacturer relations, Penske Automotive
- Brian Benstock, GM and vice president, Paragon Honda and Acura
- Celina McCabe, talent program manager for Dorman
- Grace Huang, president of Cox Automotive Inventory Solutions
- Tom Kline, lead consultant and founder, Better Vantage Point, LLC | Tuck The Octopus
Register here to attend the Automotive VIP Panel.
Saturday’s signature events will include a Driven by Women: Automotive Roundtable from 9 to 11 a.m. in the McNair Center for Free Enterprise located in the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center on Naegele Drive.
“Panelists will discuss challenges and successes, and attendees will leave with a fresh perspective on leadership and innovation,” Rizo stated. “This is our third year partnering with CDK Global on the roundtable, and each year it continues to surpass expectations.”
Panelists for the Driven By Women Automotive Roundtable include:
- Kathy Gilbert, senior director — minority dealer, and women retail, CDK Global
- Susan Michaels, sales enablement consultant, CDK Global
- Kathy Anne “KAM” McManus, executive vice president and chief customer officer, CDK Global
- Heather Sattler, senior OEM account manager — Ford & Ford Direct, CDK Global
- Carrie Gottschalk, account manager, CDK Global
- Ashley Steele, sales development manager, CDK Global
- Jodee Jagger, global business specialist for General Motors at GP Strategies Corporation, CDK Global
- Diane Schmidt, program manager, CDK Global
- Sandra Liem, director, marketing, DSMA- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Jennifer Rafael, vice president, DSMA – Mergers and Acquisitions
- Rita Bragg, vice president of acquisitions, Capital Automotive Real Estate Services
- Alicia Thomas, vice president of acquisitions, Capital Automotive Real Estate Services, Inc.
RSVP to attend this event here.
Public invited to participate in Cars and Coffee Classic Car Show
To close out the show, there will be a Cars and Coffee Classic Car Show starting at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6.
“Attendees can look forward to an exciting day filled with incredible vehicles, live music, awards, coffee and giveaways,” stated Classic Car Chair Julia Lietz of Macomb, Michigan. “Whether you’re a longtime car enthusiast or just looking for a fun day out, we’ve got something for everyone. Plus, we’re inviting the public to participate!”
There is no cost to attend or participate in this year’s Cars and Coffee Classic Show. To participate, RSVP here.
Auto Show planners come from all over Michigan and U.S.
From planning to execution, the Northwood University International Auto Show is entirely run by students who serve on an executive board.
The following are other board members and their respective roles and hometowns (all are from Michigan, unless otherwise noted):
- Katrina Ness of Birmingham — operations chair
- Ethan Moots of Brown City — aftermarket chair
- Eddie MacNellis of Midland —aftermarket co-chair
- Annaliese Lemanowicz of New Boston — domestic divisional chair
- Chase Southwick of Livonia — European divisional chair
- Owen Hayes of Whitehall — Asian divisional chair
- Leyton Billups of Fort Myers, Florida — specialty divisional chair
- Brooke Englehardt of Saline — chief marketing officer
- Vanessa Collins of Clio — marketing chair
- Colin Kubik of Armada — public relations chair
- Michael Shtutman of Marlton, New Jersey — marketing innovations chair
- Connor Bachteal of Benton Harbor — chief financial officer
- Kendall Buchman of New Baltimore — finance vice chair
- Gabriel Cerda of Westland — donor relations chair
- Hanna Wood of Unionville — logistics vice chair
There is no cost to attend the show, which runs from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6.
For more information about the Northwood University International Auto Show, visit https://auto.northwood.edu/
