“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.
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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