Funnily sufficient, that is my first write-up of an Affiliate Summit occasion, regardless that I’ve been attending the West and East coast variations of the present since 2011.
Evidently: I’ve been to a number of Affiliate Summits.
So why write about my expertise this time?
Properly, a part of it’s a refined nudge from our advertising and marketing group so as to add some “web optimization juice” to the web site. Extra importantly, although, this felt like the appropriate second to share a perspective from somebody who’s been a part of the affiliate marketing online neighborhood for nicely over a decade.
And that’s simply it. Affiliate Summit has all the time been a staple in our business. When you’ve been in affiliate marketing online for any size of time, likelihood is you’ve both attended or a minimum of heard about it. A few of us even rely our time within the business not in years, however in Affiliate Summit reveals. It virtually appears like a badge of honor to say you’ve attended 10 reveals, or 15, or 20.
With that in thoughts, right here’s what I wished to share from this 12 months’s Affiliate Summit East:
- Why do I attend?
- What’s modified through the years?
- What did we hear on the present?
- Sip N’ Ship
- Closing Ideas
Why Do I Attend?
I run two affiliate marketing online software program firms, CAKE and TUNE, and a number of our shoppers take into account going to Affiliate Summit annually. So for me, attending is a no brainer. It’s one of many few alternatives the place so lots of our clients and companions are multi functional place.
Attending provides me the prospect to strengthen relationships and create significant touchpoints with our shoppers. I additionally get to say “Thanks” in enjoyable methods, like internet hosting networking glad hour occasions adjoining to the convention area. (And sure, I’m planning to be in Vegas this January for ASW 2026.)
I worth this convention as a result of it centralizes my clients. If our clients shifted away or stopped attending altogether, I’d doubtless comply with swimsuit. It’s so simple as that.
What’s Modified Over the Years?
The present has modified loads within the final 15 years.
I might speak concerning the alternative in venue, however I’d slightly not torment that deceased equine. The Marriott and Occasions Sq. should not my favourite.
What I’ll say is that it’s turn into tougher for the overall neighborhood to congregate on the present, so plan forward. Safety is stricter, and entry is extra restricted (and costlier) than it was once. For instance, I do know a number of shoppers in NY who would like to drop by and mingle, however that’s not doable with out a badge. As an alternative, we have now to satisfy up someplace down the street slightly than on the convention flooring. When you anticipate to be in the identical state of affairs, decide a close-by espresso store or bar and head there early to safe a gathering spot earlier than your contacts arrive. You don’t need to be left scrambling and altering plans on the fly when time on the ground is ticking away.
The viewers has advanced, too. When CAKE first began exhibiting again in 2011, many of the cubicles have been dominated by affiliate networks. I’d look throughout the ground and see 20 or 30 of my clients. Now, I’m fortunate to stumble upon 10 affiliate networks. Clearly, there’s been a shift available in the market, however what isn’t clear but to me is the alternative for this viewers. Whereas we’re seeing stronger illustration from name monitoring firms and fee distributors, the combination remains to be altering. I’m to see the place it goes from right here.
Lastly, the possession of Affiliate Summit and the way it’s reworked the occasion is one thing we frequently talk about in our downtime on the convention. It’s turn into apparent over the previous few years that there’s now extra concentrate on monetization and fewer on neighborhood. This wasn’t the case when the founders, Shawn Collins and Missy Ward, have been working the present (actually and figuratively) from 2003 to 2020. In 2017, Clarion Occasions, which was acquired by the funding agency Blackstone earlier that 12 months, bought Affiliate Summit. They ultimately took over all operations from Missy and Shawn in 2020. Whereas capital funding isn’t essentially a foul factor, it does basically change a company. On this case, I feel it’s helped flip the present into a refined, well-oiled machine. I additionally assume it’s left customer support feeling much less private and historic attendance much less necessary. So, irrespective of whether or not you’re a convention vet or going for the primary time subsequent 12 months, the identical recommendation applies: construct relationships with the individuals who run the present, and ensure they know you.
What Did We Hear on the Present?
I’ll admit that a number of my finest conversations didn’t occur in a session or on the convention flooring. They occurred over drinks, at dinners, and particularly on the glad hour we co-hosted with Optizmo and Atwave.
Listed here are just a few themes that stood out:
- Electronic mail is alive and nicely.
Electronic mail has actually stood the check of time, and it continues to ship for each model I’ve spoken with. After I have a look at the profitable, long-term clients I’ve had the chance to accomplice with through the years, e mail is all the time a significant a part of their advertising and marketing combine. - Handshakes nonetheless drive the business and are probably the most precious factor we will do.
Know-how issues, however introductions gasoline the hearth of development. As tech suppliers, CAKE and TUNE sit in that uncommon place the place it’s doable to look at lots of of firms leveraging our instruments. They’re all the time on the hunt for brand new partnerships, which might be simply as precious because the software program itself. We will’t downplay that. - Fraud prevention is essential.
Once more, as I have a look at the long-time clients who have been capable of thrive by recessions and shifts in vertical focus, all of them leverage some type of fraud detection and prevention platform. In right this moment’s surroundings the place margins are tight and competitors is in all places, fraud safety is a should have. - Companies verticals proceed to show their power.
Monetary companies and residential companies are among the many prime verticals the place we’re seeing large development. These verticals are dynamic, and success requires a sure stage of sophistication with the tech stack — lead distribution software program, for instance — and personnel to handle this system.
Sip & Ship
A fast spotlight: our Sip & Ship networking glad hour occasion. Partnering with Optizmo and Atwave to deliver individuals collectively was an actual vivid spot of the week. These casual conferences with gamers from throughout the business typically spark probably the most precious conversations. It’s a reminder that whereas the convention flooring has its challenges, the connections taking place across the present are what make Affiliate Summit worthwhile.
Closing Ideas
Affiliate Summit East and West are necessary, precious conferences to our business. For lots of us, they’re the 2 main reveals we should attend, and the whole lot else is deliberate round them. I applaud Missy and Shawn for constructing that form of neighborhood and custom.
That stated, the present is evolving. Because the convention progresses in its monetization and commercialization, I’ll start to query the place else I needs to be. For now, although, I attend as a result of my shoppers are there, and I’m all the time open to networking with newer firms searching for attribution and monitoring assist. We’re good at that!
Creator
As COO of the Affiliate Advertising Group, Garth’s focus is to drive development and adoption by the advertising and marketing and product groups whereas offering wonderful customer support throughout the onboarding and assist departments. Throughout his 15 years within the affiliate marketing online business, Garth has held a variety of roles, from consumer companies supervisor to senior director of product engineering and, most not too long ago, common supervisor at CAKE. These experiences have helped him construct a deep understanding of his clients and their companies. Outdoors of labor, Garth is happiest behind a grill or on the seashore together with his household.
