The Northwood University/Cox Automotive Interactive Dealer Summit is coming up Thursday at the university’s campus in Midland, Mich. 

The event designed for networking and to spark important discussion surrounding marketing and retailing trends in the industry. It’s scheduled for from 8:30 a.m. (ET) to 5 p.m. on Thursday in the university’s Griswold Communication Center. 

The summit is focused on “information sharing, best practices and networking among the university's faculty and students, presenting Cox Automotive executives and attendees from leading Michigan dealerships,” a news release on the event said. 

Some highlights of the day-long even include a Q&A session with Cox Automotive vice president of customer marketing Kevin Filan, a discussion which will focus on the concept of “positive disruption.”  

Cox Auto VP of global talent management and diversity and inclusion Kathleen Korpita will talk on attracting and retaining top talent. And the Cox Auto executive panel will include Jared Rowe, president, Cox Automotive Media; Janet Barnard, president, Manheim North America; Rock Anderson, senior vice president and chief people officer, Cox Automotive; and Brian Geitner, president, Cox Automotive Financial Services and NextGear Capital.

Also during the event, Northwood University president and chief executive officer Keith Pretty, senior VP Timothy Nash and Elgie Bright, who is chair of the automotive marketing and management degree program, will present a session on “The Northwood Idea” and introduce the university’s Dealer Workforce Study results. 

"The partnership between Northwood University and Cox Automotive represents a strong bond between two leaders in automotive marketing efforts," said Bright. 

"The Summit aims not only to educate and inform dealers about crucial industry trends and benchmarks, but it also provides dealers with the ability to meet Northwood University students in person. Our students are the industry's future workforce, and this event allows them to meet potential employers in person and make what we hope will be mutually beneficial connections,” Bright continued. 

The students will also play a role in the event. They will deliver the results of their practicum, Connected Car Study, and Cox Auto will honor its 2015-2016 scholarship recipients. 

The event will end with a networking reception hosted by Cox Auto University Relations. 

The event is designed as a three-way partnership between Northwood University, Cox Automotive, and dealers across Michigan. 

"We know the Northwood University students are capable of great things," said Jason Jager, director of industry relations, at Cox Automotive. "We witness it year-in and year-out with the amazing work they do at their student-run Northwood University International Auto Show each fall. We're eager to demonstrate our commitment to the automotive industry through this new Interactive Dealer Summit.”