MIDLAND, MI — Students of Northwood University will get an up-close, behind-the-scenes look into this year’s North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. Selected by the NAIAS for an exclusive experiential learning partnership with the auto show, the students will gain hands-on experience, learning the intricate operations of a national auto show. NAIAS runs through Jan. 18.

The NAIAS internship program places 28 Northwood students in key full-time positions for the opening week of the auto show, including the NAIAS Press Preview, Industry Preview and the Charity Preview black-tie gala. Students are in charge of exhibitor assistance, event assistance, press credentialing, press room maintenance, media tours and opening ceremony coordination. This is the sixth year that Northwood students are participating in the partnership.

Students involved in this year’s NAIAS are part of Northwood’s Automotive Marketing and Aftermarket Management and Hotel, Restaurant and Resort Management programs. Many have additional experience with previous NAIAS events as well as with Northwood’s own annual international auto show, the largest outdoor auto show in North America.

Now in its 20th year as an international event, the NAIAS is among the most prestigious auto shows in the world and is one of the largest media events in North America. In 2007, NAIAS attracted more than 6,000 media from 62 countries and 42 states for worldwide and North American vehicle unveilings at nearly 40 press conferences. Overall, more than 700,000 people attended the show during Public Days and NAIAS 2007 added $550 million to southeast Michigan’s economy.

For more information about Northwood University’s experiential learning, visit http://www.northwood.edu. http://www.northwood.edu/autoshow.

To learn more about the North American International Auto Show, go to: http://www.naias.com.