Northwood University’s Auto Show revs up this October

Hundreds of Northwood University students are kicking it into high gear in preparation for their 58th annual auto show early next month. Some 500 new and classic cars will be on display during the event. 
 
The Northwood University International Auto Show (NUIAS) will be held in-person on campus Friday, Oct. 1 from 1-9 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 2 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. The event is entirely free and open to the public. 

Northwood graduate student and the event’s general chair, Taylor Timoszyk says students are revved up about the event and excited to show off their business and leadership skills. 

Some 500 new and classic cars will be on display during the event.“We do it for the love of the [automotive] industry and to learn real-life skills. No other university can offer something like this for its students and for the public,” she says, adding that the university expects the event to be “the nation’s largest outdoor exhibition for aftermarket companies and auto brands.”

Students run all aspects of the NUIAS from marketing the event and booth running, to catering and parking. About 350 students are involved to make the event a success, says Timoszyk. It’s a favorite event among alumni, as it is held during Homecoming Week.

About 350 students are involved to make the event a success.Timoszyk says more booths were added this year, bringing the total to 73 — all marketing different brands in the automotive industry. All students, regardless of their major, participate. Students get to design their team booth and create their own display. 

Exhibitors also include Domestic, European, Asian, After Market and Specialty Division representing 65 manufacturers.

Students drive the event

Northwood students learn a wide range of real-life skills by participating and running NUIAS, including leadership skills and public speaking, setting up display booths, and working with dealerships and market brands.

“It’s great because it's a leadership opportunity,” says Timoszyk. “The entire event is 100% student-run. The university trusts us to work on this. Since last year was all virtual due to COVID, we’re going to show personal responsibility this year and welcome the public. We are learning to all work together to accomplish a goal.”

NU student and Asian Divisional Chair Anthony Giacalone agrees.

“It sounds crazy, but it’s very exciting to reach out to all these dealerships, automotive manufacturers, vehicle owners, [and] small businesses to glue them all together to create our auto show. As students in their late teens and early 20s, it’s such a good experience.”

Giacalone is an automotive marketing & management major from St. Louis, Missouri. He’s also working as the Classic Car Chair for the event. 

More booths were added this year, bringing the total to 73 — all marketing different brands in the automotive industry.“It’s also exciting because as much that goes on behind the scenes — when everyone is on our campus that weekend — we forget about our hours of stress and sleepless nights putting it all together, and we enjoy the show like everyone else who visits campus that weekend,” says Giacalone.

What he’s learned most while working on NUIAS is patience and perseverance. 

“As much as I want an answer to an email 30 seconds after I send it, this is never the case,” says Giacalone. “It takes time to get responses from people who have their business and lives to attend to. The waiting game comes along with the behind-the-scenes positions that my colleagues and I have. We all have learned if we don’t hear a response, or if we are told no, we try again or move on. Regardless, the show will turn out great with all of our hard work as a team.”

Parking will be just off NU’s entrance on Sugnet Road, where shuttles will take the public into the event on campus. For more information on the NUIAS, go to nuias.northwood.edu.