More than 30 Northwood University students and staff are heading to Las Vegas for AAPEX 2024, a trade show that brings together over 100,000 professionals from the automotive aftermarket industry.
“Our students and staff are primed and eager to connect with the global community of auto parts and technology suppliers, distributors, and retailers at AAPEX,” stated Dr. Matt Bennett, vice president of strategic alliances, enrollment, and the Center for Automotive & Mobility Studies (CAMS) at Northwood University. “These crucial networking and educational opportunities mold our students into free-enterprise leaders who drive global economic and social progress, and they help our staff continue to be an important link between industry and new generations of talented leadership.”
AAPEX, which stands for Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo, is co-owned by the Auto Care Association and MEMA. It will take place Nov. 5-7 at the Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum in Las Vegas.
“Northwood and CAMS are excited for an amazing AAPEX 2024,” noted Dr. Thomas Litzinger, executive director of the University of the Aftermarket and the aftermarket education industry chair at Northwood University. “As Northwood is the only university displaying at the show, we look forward to a great week interacting with the aftermarket industry and providing our students the opportunity to engage and work with some amazing aftermarket companies. As we offer one of the only — if not the only — automotive aftermarket management degree programs in the world, AAPEX 2024 is the ideal setting to expand our support of this dynamic industry.”
AAPEX is an invaluable learning experience for students in the aftermarket program, as many are sponsored by companies to work at exhibits during the show, explained James O’Dell, assistant director of aftermarket education at Northwood University.
“To have a delegation the size of Northwood’s heading to Vegas for AAPEX really speaks to Northwood’s close involvement with the industry, and it illustrates Northwood’s commitment to connecting students to employers, and employers to top-notch talent,” O’Dell added.
In addition to networking at different booths at the show, students will be part of the Nov. 5 Automotive Aftermarket Management Education Award luncheon, which will honor Philip Atkins, director of strategic research and planning for MEMA, Eric M. Johnson, president and managing partner for Arnold Motor Supply, Tammy Tecklenburg, founder and CEO of dott, and John C. Washbish, president of Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc.
“This luncheon allows Northwood to honor aftermarket industry professionals who have made noteworthy contributions to education — and it gives our students the ability to forge meaningful connections needed to secure highly sought-after internships and other employment opportunities,” stated Northwood University Vice President of Advancement Murray Kyte.
The following Northwood students will be attending AAPEX (all hometowns are located in Michigan unless otherwise noted):
• Thomas Rutherford of Grand Rapids
• Noah Rubicz of Chesterfield
• Jordan Taiwo of Commerce Township
• Nicholas Catania of Duluth, Georgia
• Leyton Billups of Fort Myers, Florida
• Madeline Osantowski of Kingston
• Vanessa Collins of Clio
• William Morrison of Cary, North Carolina
• Katrina Ness of Birmingham
• Haiden Wilburn of Muskegon
• Edward MacNellis of Midland
• Logan Wilmot of Oxford
• Blake Kreiner of Howell
• Ethan Moots of Brown City
• Ty Brotebeck of Linden
• Noah Koss of Macomb
• Kailyn Gomes of Plymouth, Vermont
• Matheu Morrison of New Baltimore
• Owen Hayes of Whitehall
• Zakery McLeod of Frankenmuth
• Avery Krantz of Marine City
• Carson Vardell of Midland
• Brooke Engelhardt of Saline
• Conor Farrell of Saline
• Hailey Neurohr of Standish
• Mallorie Hollenbeck of Midland
For more information about Northwood University’s Automotive Aftermarket Management degree program, visit www.northwood.edu/programs/automotive-aftermarket-management/
