ORLAND PARK, Ill. – Owners of the annual the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) have revealed the results of an online survey conducted last year to provide insight into the needs and expectations of AAPEX domestic exhibitors and buyers for the 2009 event.

The survey, conducted by Tecker Consultants, shows that the majority of both exhibitors and buyers are satisfied with Las Vegas as the AAPEX location; that they feel early November is an appropriate time of the year; and that they want AAPEX to continue as an annual event. Attendees surveyed include manufacturers, warehouse distributors (WDs), jobbers, retailers, repair shop owners, mass merchandisers, fleets and new vehicle dealers.

Results of the online surveys include:

·    83 percent of buyers say AAPEX should be held every year.
·    56 percent of domestic exhibitors say AAPEX should be held every year;14 percent were neutral.
·    78 percent of buyers say AAPEX should continue to be held in Las Vegas.
·    65 percent of exhibitors say AAPEX should continue to be held in Las Vegas.
·    76 percent of buyers plan on attending AAPEX 2009; 4.5 percent do not.
·    85 percent of exhibitors would like to see more program groups/WDs visiting their booth.
·    55 percent of exhibitors would like to see more international buyers at their booth.
·    69 percent of exhibitors rated the quality of their booth traffic good or acceptable.
·    12 percent of exhibitors rated the quality of their booth traffic excellent.

“As show owners and trade associations, we realize that measuring and articulating trade show ROI can be tricky because it can be subjective,” said Kathleen Schmatz, AAIA president and CEO. “This is why the AAPEX show owners and management commissioned a third-party consultant to conduct a survey of AAPEX stakeholders. These quantitative results give us a snapshot of the AAPEX experience for exhibitors and buyers.  We then gain deeper insight by building on the quantitative numbers with follow-up personal qualitative interviews and discussions with a cross-section of these stakeholders.”

“This survey is an important first step to gaining invaluable feedback for all the AAPEX partners as we work together to plan the 2009 trade show,” said Steve Handschuh. “That planning is already well underway with many exciting enhancements to ensure AAPEX is a ‘total industry event’ for both buyers and exhibitors – such as training and show floor demonstrations which will increase interaction among participants.”
 
AAPEX 2009 will be held Tuesday, Nov. 3 through Thursday, Nov. 5 at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, Nev.