The 61st Northwood University International Auto Show (NUIAS) will take place Oct. 6-8 in Midland, Michigan. Students invite attendees to “Shift into Gear” for one of the largest outdoor student-run new car shows in North America.
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.
“One of my mentors would always close meetings by saying, ‘Let’s shift into gear and make our day great,’ which inspired staff to perform at the peak of our capabilities,” stated Alexander Mazon, a student from Westchester, New York, and general chair of this year’s NUIAS. “Feedback from prior shows encouraged us to put an even greater emphasis on all things automotive, which inspired this year’s theme, ‘Shift into Gear.’”
Friday, Oct. 4, will include a VIP panel at 9:30 a.m. in Griswold Lecture Hall and the show’s opening ceremony at 11:30 a.m. at the John and Marjorie Hohman Amphitheater.
“The 61st NUIAS is packed with exciting events, including two panels that will spotlight industry leaders and showcase female innovators in the automotive sector,” stated signature events vice chair Bella Smylie.
“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
Saturday 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.”
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.
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. There is no cost to attend or participate in this year’s Cars and Coffee Classic Show. To participate, RSVP here.
For more information about the Northwood University International Auto Show, click here.
