“Ask Joes” Enhance Attendee Experience at AAPEX 2015 in Las Vegas

February 17, 2016

At last year’s AAPEX, a show for the aftermarket auto parts industry that is held in November at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas, decided to up their attendee engagement game by hiring a bevy of customer service staff members they called “Ask Joes” to help people out at the show.

The “Ask Joes” auditioned for their roles to demonstrate their ability to meet and greet attendees with enthusiasm, according to show management, and then they also received comprehensive training and were stationed at custom-designed Ask Joe Service Stations throughout the showfloor.

As a result of this effort and other ongoing ones at the show, 93 percent of attendees rated the event as having met or exceeded their expectations.

“This year’s AAPEX did not disappoint. The Ask Joes were a great addition that we used several times,” said AAPEX buyer Mark Tupper, president, T & T Parts Ltd., Maple Ridge, BC, Canada.

He added, “Their team approach to answering questions regarding directions speaks well of their training.”

AAPEX also outfitted the Ask Joe staff in custom gray and black shirts as a way to pay homage to automotive service professionals who represent a large buyer category at the event.

Similar to the Ask Joes, who are the most important point of contact with attendees, automotive service professionals are the most important point of contact with consumers who rely on them to diagnose, service and repair today’s high tech vehicles, according to show management.

AAPEX positioned its 35 Ask Joe staff members throughout AAPEX, as well as within custom designed Ask Joe Service Stations.

These information desks were made of corrugated metal and high-end laminates. They featured well- lit AAPEX and Ask Joe branding coupled with the latest technology.

At the close of AAPEX, the team of Ask Joes made one final and lasting impression on attendees. In group formation, the Ask Joes delivered spirited high-fives and boisterous “thank yous” to attendees as they exited the event at the Sands Expo.

AAPEX 2015 featured 2,239 exhibitors from 32 countries. It also included an AAPEXedu program with 55 free sessions designed for warehouse distributors (WDs), retailers, service professionals, parts stores, national service chains, manufacturers and industry professionals under 40.

More than 45,100 targeted buyers attended AAPEX 2015 and the SEMA Show. Approximately 160,000 automotive aftermarket professionals from 147 countries were in Las Vegas during both events.

Add new comment

Partner Voices
HERE, hosting responsible meetings and caring for our communities are top priorities. Through its 'Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet' philosophy, MGM Resorts commits to creating a more sustainable future, while striving to make an impact in the lives of employees, guests, and the communities in which it operates. Water Stewardship Efforts MGM Resorts understands the importance of using water efficiently, especially in the desert destination of Las Vegas. Conserving water has always been part of the mission, but MGM Resorts has expanded its ambition into water stewardship. In 2022, MGM Resorts President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle signed the CEO Water Mandate—a UN Global Compact initiative mobilizing business leaders to advance water stewardship. MGM Resorts International was the first gaming company to take this important step. MGM Resorts replaced 200,000 square feet of real grass with drought-tolerant landscaping in Las Vegas. MGM Resorts pledges to reduce water withdrawal intensity by 33% by 2025 and by 35% by 2030. From 2007-2021, use of more than 5.6 billion gallons of water was avoided because of conservation efforts. Caring for One Another MGM Resorts’ Food Donations Program collects and preserves unserved food from conventions held at MGM Resorts properties, then safely donates to food insecure people in the community. Since the program’s launch in 2016, more than 3.7 million meals toward a 2025 goal of 5 million meals have been donated into the community. Donations include: Unserved perishable prepared foods from events Perishable unprepared food from MGM Resorts’ kitchens Nonperishable food items from minibars and warehouses The collaboration with Southern Nevada’s primary food bank, Three Square, has developed the infrastructure needed to safely collect, transport, and store food from MGM Resorts properties in Las Vegas, reducing food waste while serving the community. Fostering Diversity and Inclusion To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all. MGM Resorts understands its responsibility to contribute to the social and economic progress of the communities in which it operates. HERE, we embrace humanity.