The worth of Affiliate Summit is subtly altering for me as time goes on. As I discussed in my earlier publish about Affiliate Summit East 2025, this can be a tradeshow I’ve usually attended since 2011.
Affiliate Summit 2011 and the following few years consisted of lengthy days on the Meet Market, scrumptious dinners with purchasers, and bottle service into the wee hours of the morning. We walked away exhausted, however with core experiences shared. Positive, these experiences could have been at an evening membership that we (figuratively) fought to get in to, and should have included shuffling (bear in mind when LMFAO got here years in the past?), however they have been significant, nonetheless.
As I mirror on the Meet Market in these early days, I bear in mind it being filled with affiliate networks that have been exhibiting with the ambition to shake arms with manufacturers and associates each. Again then, many of the exhibitors have been affiliate networks, a lot of whom nonetheless name CAKE and TUNE “dwelling” — and which means the world to us.
Then Versus Now
Quick ahead to January 2026. The panorama has dramatically shifted, from just a few main gamers to a large web of minor and main characters: fee options; distributors monitoring the shopper journey throughout calls, texts, and net; AI this and that; anti-fraud instruments and companies; and the checklist goes on.
So if that is who’s exhibiting, then who’s strolling the ground?
Who have been we hoping to see strolling the ground?
Have been the manufacturers out on show, able to be taught in regards to the newest applied sciences? Not precisely. If something, it’s the alternative. I heard from a number of of my manufacturers that they flip their badge round to cover their brand out of worry of being jumped.
My level: Affiliate Summit continues to be a spot the place efficiency entrepreneurs come to the desk, however the panorama has diversified and isn’t as targeted or easy because it was once.
The Sluggish Shift
For attendees, the aim of the present in 2026 is solely completely different than in 2011. Most of my conferences this 12 months have been with people who didn’t buy a badge or who have been in Vegas primarily to fulfill with present companions. They weren’t there for brand spanking new enterprise.
Personally, we’ve shifted from the times of bottle service to a (third annual) blissful hour, the place we get to thank our clients nose to nose and introduce them to our different visitors, hopefully sparking the beginning of extra nice relationships inside the trade.
And that’s simply it. The character of our trade requires a sure degree of expertise and intentionality to assist one another thrive. It’s not sufficient that I do know you use within the dwelling companies area. I additionally know you generate your leads from this supply and distribute them on this method and have a singular partnership with this vendor, and all of that mixed is what makes you match for that firm over there. So let’s get you two launched, so you will get to enterprise.
I’m additionally observing a shift in focus from the convention itself. A fast anecdote that helps this: Final 12 months, I used to be in a position to pay for a non-public assembly desk in a quiet area to fulfill with clients and prospects. It was nice! I need to do that each present, and tried to do it this 12 months. However that possibility is now not out there for distributors.
The place We’re Going
At each Affiliate Summit, I proceed to be taught from the trade and from my clients. And what I heard this 12 months was in line with earlier exhibits, and we’re already performing on loads of that suggestions.
Probably the most constant piece of suggestions my crew obtained was round connections. And it’s not so simple as having a listing of “Who’s who on [insert platform here].” It’s a extra intentional ask, understanding that we all know our clients’ companies. In consequence, we’re operating an experiment and throwing our first native meetup. (Extra to come back on that.)
Along with the listening to in regards to the worth of the connections we create, I’m all the time flattered and validated to listen to that customer support just isn’t a characteristic, however a necessity, and that our groups proceed to excel on this space.
Transferring ahead, our convention technique is altering. We shall be at Affiliate Summit East 2026, and we’re already planning on being in Vegas for Affiliate Summit West 2027. We are going to buy fewer badges, and we received’t have a desk. As an alternative, it’s possible you’ll end up being invited to a resort suite for an escape from the hustle and bustle of the present for a drink, a snack, and a catch-up. And naturally, we’ll be throwing one other unbelievable blissful hour for all our clients and anyone from the trade who needs to know a bit extra about CAKE and TUNE.
See you on the present.
Creator
As COO of the Affiliate Advertising and marketing Group, Garth’s focus is to drive progress and adoption by way of the advertising and marketing and product groups whereas offering glorious customer support inside the onboarding and assist departments. Throughout his 15 years within the internet affiliate marketing trade, Garth has held a variety of roles, from shopper companies supervisor to senior director of product engineering and, most just lately, basic supervisor at CAKE. These experiences have helped him construct a deep understanding of his clients and their companies. Exterior of labor, Garth is happiest behind a grill or on the seaside along with his household.
