Northwood University is announcing registration is open for many upcoming professional development opportunities.
“These courses help employers retain and engage employees because attendees leave our programming with new-found knowledge of how to achieve better results and create a competitive edge,” stated Dr. Thomas Litzinger, executive director of the University of the Aftermarket and the aftermarket education industry chair at Northwood University.
University of the Aftermarket coursework introduces newer employees to the motor vehicle aftermarket industry while facilitating employee tactical leadership development and transforming executives from tactical leaders to strategic visionaries.
“Northwood faculty, along with aftermarket industry executives and thought leaders, deliver our coursework,” Litzinger stated. “Our sessions also incorporate team projects to foster mutual collaboration and innovation, and robust debate is an integral feature of our courses.”
“Our programs are designed around our shared mission to advance the automotive aftermarket by equipping professionals with the knowledge, leadership skills, and hands-on experience needed to navigate today’s rapidly evolving landscape,” added James O’Dell, assistant director of aftermarket education at Northwood University.
The following University of the Aftermarket programming is scheduled for 2025:
Leadership 2.0/Session 2
Leadership 2.0 provides high potential leaders robust discussion and learning related to tactical leadership and the challenges and opportunities confronting the motor vehicle aftermarket industry. Experience a blend of industry research and market analysis, lively discussion, and debate on the challenges confronting the light vehicle and heavy-duty aftermarket. Learn about competitive strategies, interpersonal communication skills, contract negotiations, conflict resolution, organizational culture, cyber-security best practices, supply chain solutions, and other industry topics and trends. This exciting programming, which takes place from March 9-13, is only open to participants have previously completed Leadership 2.0 Session 1.
Aftermarket 101
Aftermarket 101 is an introduction to the motor vehicle aftermarket.
Attendees will develop a firm knowledge of the breadth, depth, and scope of the Automotive Aftermarket, including channels of retail, e-commerce, and traditional distribution. They will also learn about sales development skills and opportunities, current and future industry trends, a brief introduction to the heavy-duty segment, and the opportunities and challenges facing our service dealers.
This two-day course will be held May 19-20 in Detroit, Michigan. The deadline to register is May 5.
Heavy Duty 101
Through Heavy Duty 101, students will develop a solid understanding of the scope of the HD/CV motor vehicle aftermarket. Students will be able to diagram and illustrate the channels of retail, e-commerce, and traditional distribution; differentiate and interpret how key industry players contribute to the industry; discuss key initiatives and market strategies within the heavy-duty market; examine challenges and opportunities facing the professional service dealer; demonstrate an understanding the benefits associated with developing a professional sales network; and learn to distinguish themselves from the competition and dominate the marketplace.
This two-day course is scheduled for May 21-22 in Detroit, Michigan. The deadline to register is May 6.
INFUSION (Executive Development Series)
INFUSION is a high-level executive development series designed to transform leaders into strategic visionaries by formulating strategies to make them more efficient and proficient at leading their organizations. Participants will discuss how to demonstrate knowledge in creating innovative tactics to achieve better results for their organization.
The course is constructed to analyze varying approaches to critical topics, design clear outcomes, appraise better results, develop ground-breaking strategic visionary skills, create dynamic organization cultures, measure the adverse impacts of organizational isolation, diagram state-of-the-art cyber-security stratagems, compare best practices in supply chain management, express knowledge in mergers and acquisitions, evaluate their corporate strategy, and differentiate their competitive advantage from their competition.
This five-day global session will be held from June 8-12 in South Korea, hosted at CTR.
Aftermarket Data Standards
This program was developed for aftermarket catalog managers and product information professionals who want to sharpen their knowledge and management of the industry data standards – ACES and PIES. Learners will become familiar with the Auto Care databases and how to effectively use them in their day-to-day work.
To take this class, attendees must have already taken Introduction to ACES and PIES.
This two-day class will be held June 17-18 in Detroit, Michigan. The registration deadline is June 3.
Heavy Duty Leadership 2.0
This five-day course is a cornerstone of the industry’s efforts to foster the development of a new generation of tactical leaders who will help drive the HD/CV aftermarket to new heights of excellence in leadership and performance.
HD/CV Leadership 2.0 is an intense and intellectually stimulating leadership development program for heavy-duty motor vehicle aftermarket professionals. Top heavy-duty industry leaders, coveted thought leaders, and Northwood University faculty will facilitate the course. This unique collaboration allows for an intensive course that is specifically focused on advancing tactical leaders who are motivated to purposely perform at achieving key organizational outcomes and objectives across all levels of the HD/CV motor vehicle aftermarket.
Heavy Duty Leadership 2.0 is scheduled for July 13-17 in Detroit, Michigan. The deadline to register is June 30.
Leadership 2.0/Session 1
Leadership 2.0 is comprised of two five-day sessions. Session I will be facilitated at Northwood University in Midland, Michigan.
The course provides high potential leaders robust discussion and learning related to tactical leadership and the challenges and opportunities confronting the automotive and heavy-duty aftermarket.
The Leadership 2.0 experience includes a blend of industry research and market analysis, lively discussion and debate on the challenges confronting the light vehicle and heavy-duty aftermarket, competitive strategies, interpersonal communication skills, contract negotiations, conflict resolution, organizational culture, cyber-security best practices, insight into supply chain solutions, and other challenging and evolving industry topics and trends.
Session 1 is scheduled for Aug. 10-14 in Midland, Michigan, and the registration deadline is July 14. Session 2 will be held March 8-12, 2026, in a location to be announced in the future.
INFUSION 2025 – Session 1
The North American session of INFUSION 2025 is tentatively planned for Sept. 21-25 in Detroit, Michigan. The next session will be held at a global destination from June 7-11, 2026.
Learn More
Registration links and complete descriptions of all University of the Aftermarket courses are online at https://nusites.northwood.edu/apps/uofa/course-calendar.aspx.
