Students promote upcoming show, introduce Enthusiast Alley, and strengthen connections with thousands of automotive enthusiasts
Students leading the next Northwood University International Auto Show connected with thousands of automotive enthusiasts during the Modded Detroit 2026 Season Opener, advancing awareness of the nation’s largest outdoor, student-run new car show while showcasing the hands-on leadership experience that defines Northwood University.
Held April 11 at the Multi-Lakes Conservation Association in Commerce Township, the Modded Detroit opener drew more than 2,000 vehicles and thousands of spectators from across the metro Detroit car community. Members of the Northwood University International Auto Show (NUIAS) Executive Board attended the event to promote this year’s Auto Show and introduce Enthusiast Alley, a new feature that will create even more opportunities for car lovers, students, families, and industry partners to connect.
“This was a great opportunity for Northwood University to connect with the metro Detroit car community and build excitement for this year’s show,” said NUIAS Public Relations Chair Caiden Doan. “We were able to meet a lot of people who are passionate about cars, share what makes Northwood’s show so unique, and introduce Enthusiast Alley to the exact audience it was created for.”
Enthusiast Alley, which will be sponsored by Hennessey Performance, will add another high-energy dimension to NUIAS by spotlighting the passion, creativity, and community that drive automotive culture. This year’s NUIAS is set for Sept. 18-20 at Northwood’s residential campus in Midland, Michigan. It will build on the momentum of recent shows, which have included hypercars, expanded brand participation, family-friendly attractions, and new ways for visitors to experience Northwood’s wooded campus.
“NUIAS is led, planned, and executed by students, giving them real-world experience in marketing, logistics, sponsorships, public relations, event operations, donor relations, and industry engagement,” explained Dr. Dave Oventhal, who leads the Center for Automotive and Mobility Studies at Northwood University. “The result is more than a weekend show — it is a living laboratory where students prepare for careers in the automotive, mobility, aftermarket, and motorsports industries.”
“NUIAS gives students an unmatched opportunity to lead,” added NUIAS Advisor Elgie Bright, who chairs Northwood’s automotive marketing and management degree program. “When our students attend events like Modded Detroit, they are not simply promoting a car show. They are building relationships, representing Northwood, and developing the professional skills that will carry them into the next generation of automotive leadership.”
Northwood University has long been recognized for preparing leaders for the automotive and mobility sectors. Its student-run auto show, undergraduate automotive programs, expanding industry partnerships, and Center for Automotive & Mobility Studies continue to make Northwood a destination for students who want to turn their passion for cars into meaningful careers.
For prospective students and families, the show offers a powerful example of what makes Northwood distinctive: students are trusted to lead major, public-facing initiatives that connect directly to industry. For donors and corporate partners, the show demonstrates the impact of investing in experiential learning that prepares principled, entrepreneurial leaders for a rapidly evolving marketplace.
“Events like Modded Detroit help us share the Northwood story with people who already love the automotive world,” Doan added. “We want them to see that Northwood is where that passion can become a profession.”
More details about the 2026 NUIAS will be announced in the coming months. For more information, visit auto.northwood.edu and follow the Northwood University International Auto Show on Facebook and Instagram.
