DETROIT – (July 19, 2022) The North American International Auto Show (aka Detroit Auto Show) is pleased to announce a multi-faceted partnership with Wayne State University (WSU).  WSU students will be conducting a demographic study for the show as a student project. Additionally, the University’s Mike Ilitch School of Business is planning to host a series of panel discussions regarding diversity and the future of mobility during Public Days.  

“Our partnership with Wayne State University is a great example of the community outreach we are undertaking this fall as a part of the auto show,” comments Rod Alberts, Executive Director of the Detroit Auto Show.  “Students will be directly engaged with the show, managing and completing a demographic study of the various audiences that the show attracts. We are also delighted that the Mike Ilitch School of Business is hosting a mobility conference in association with the Public Show.”

The statistical study project will be coordinated by WSU’s sociology department under the supervision of Professor Merolla. Students will be responsible for all aspects of the study and will be onsite at the show conducting survey research. The survey will be the primary class project for the incoming sociology class this fall. The final survey report will be presented by the students to Detroit Auto Show Management upon completion and used to provide critical information to the show’s key stakeholders.

Wayne State University President M. Roy Wilson commented, “Wayne State University is proud to partner with one of Detroit’s leading events to engage our students in a hands-on and meaningful way that gives them a real-world application of their studies.”

In conjunction with The Detroit Auto Show, the WSU Mike Ilitch School of Business will host the Executive Speaker Series: Automotive Summit 2022. This event will be held the morning of Tuesday, September 20, at the Ilitch School’s Lear Auditorium, 2771 Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit.  A presentation entitled “Recruiting Diverse Talent for the Automotive Industry,” will be one of the programs planned. All topics will be geared toward community and industry audiences, but accessible to WSU students, faculty and alumni at no charge.  

 For more information about WSU’s Mike Ilitch School of Business and their Executive Speaker Series please visit: Ilitchbusiness.wayne.edu. 

About the North American International Auto Show

The North American International Auto Show (aka Detroit Auto Show) is one of the most influential annual automotive events in the world and a showcase for emerging technologies. September of 2022 ushers in the next-generation auto show in Detroit featuring a totally transformed indoor and outdoor experience, including brand-defining vehicles, product ride-and-drives and dynamic experiential activations. The reimagined event includes: Media Day, an opportunity for automakers and industry suppliers to debut new products and technologies; Industry Tech Days, a chance to preview emerging mobility technologies and engage with innovators; AutoMobili-D, an inside look at future mobility platforms; Charity Preview, a signature fundraising gala for children’s charities; and the Public Show, a nine-day mobility and community celebration with activations and entertainment citywide. For more information, visit naias.com.

Dates for the 2022 Detroit Auto Show are:

  • Media Day, Wednesday, Sept. 14
  • Industry Tech Days and AutoMobili-D, Wednesday, Sept. 14 and Thursday, Sept. 15
  • Charity Preview, Friday, Sept. 16
  • Public Show, Saturday, Sept. 17 – Sunday, Sept. 25
Detroit Auto Show