Northwood Students Embrace Sales Tech at Annual Auto Show
Northwood University students experimented with MAXDigital’s Digital Showroom Software at last week’s International Auto Show.


MAXDigital’s Matt Cavanaugh stands with Northwood University senior Todd Hinton at Northwood's 2018 International Auto Show in Midland, Mich.
Photo courtesy MAXDigital
CHICAGO — Dealer software provider MAXDigital empowered Northwood University students during their annual student-led auto show by providing free access to its MAX Digital Showroom software. Executives said more than 70 students used the software on their phones and tablets in order to better communicate detailed information about each vehicle to attendees.
“MAXDigital was a great tool to have for show weekend. It allowed my team to be very versatile, especially when team members needed to switch from a Corvette to a Traverse in a moment’s notice,” said Northwood University junior and team captain Brooklyn Nelson. “It was also a great confidence booster. It served as an aid for those who didn’t have a high level of knowledge about the Chevrolet lineup and definitely gave them the confidence to get out and interact with showgoers all weekend.”
The 2018 Northwood University International Auto Show, which took place October 12–14, is entirely student-run and is billed as North America’s largest outdoor new-car show. This year’s event included more than 500 vehicles from several dozen manufacturers. More than 60,000 visitors from the local community and across the country attend every year.
“These students are whip-smart, and they pick up technology faster than you can imagine. The auto industry is changing rapidly, and this generation is ready, willing, and able to keep up,” said MAXDigital’s executive vice president, Mike Cavanaugh, a Northwood alumnus. “My Northwood education has propelled me into a successful automotive career, so it was incredibly fulfilling to be able to work with and train today’s students on the power of technology when selling vehicles.”
Originally posted on Auto Dealer Today
More Product & Technology

Another Death Tied to Imported Air Bags
The Texas traffic fatality is the 11th federal regulators have connected to defective inflators imported from China. They urge that a certain population of used vehicles be inspected.
Read More →
Roadside Warnings Debut
Mazda works with AAA and a technology company to alert passersby to stranded vehicles from its lineup, for both parties’ safety.
Read More →
AI As Trainer?
This month, Agent Entrepreneur Editor Hannah Mitchell shares an artificial-intelligence development that could upend traditional dealership training.
Read More →
A Lingering Auto Tech Divide
Automakers still struggle to hit consumers’ sweet spot, hanging onto the despised touchscreen and adding other complex systems while simple, effective details hit the mark.
Read More →
AI, China and the Next Wave of Auto Retail Innovation
F&I sits at the center of the changes expected to sweep the industry in just the new few years as new players change the game.
Read More →
That Bot Can Do a Lot
Artificial intelligence was all the buzz at the 2026 Agent Summit. A panel of tech specialists broke through the noise to give agents guidance on steering dealer clients.
Read More →
Cyber F&I
Your dealer clients could only benefit from showcasing products on their websites along with vehicle inventory. Modern consumers expect to be informed and are more likely to buy products when they are.
Read More →
Road Glare to Drop a Notch?
Audi is preparing two SUV models for the American market with the automaker’s adaptive LED headlights. Its technology is designed to reduce brightness for other drivers, a growing complaint among U.S. motorists.
Read More →
AppOne Partners With RouteOne for E-Contracting Solution
By digitizing the entire contracting and funding process, the company says auto dealers can eliminate frustrating and disorganized manual processes.
Read More →
Senators Propose Chinese Connected Car Ban
Just weeks before President Trump is set to meet with the Chinese president, two U.S. senators proposed a bill with the aim of protecting Americans’ data.
Read More →