Hi there,
As a former speaker at Affiliate Summit and avid attendee, I can tell you the value of attending is priceless for those in online biz and looking to expand their contact networks, learn new tips and tricks of the trade and looking to keep on top of key biz issues that affect our industry as a whole.
Lisa - I look forward to seeing you in Vegas in February!
PPCFanatic - there are always discussions on PPC and every other method of affiliate marketing. There are discussions on legislation, email marketing, mobile/wireless marketing, arbitrage vs. squeeze pages, recruiting affiliates for merchants, what affiliates want, what super affiliates want, you name it - it's there.
For a peek at the agenda from the last Summit in Miami earlier this month (which I attended - it was a blast!), visit:
http://www.affiliatesummit.com.
The next one is in September, in London, UK and then as Lisa said, another in February, in Vegas. This fall, will be the first Summit held in the UK.
Speaking to the above comments on it not being great for newbies, while I can see what you're trying to say Lisa, I have to disagree - I think as a newbie to affiliate marketing - if you CAN justify the means or find some alternate means of attending, it is an invaluable experience. Consider it an investment in education and in personal/professional growth.
When I first entered the industry now a few years ago, I attended CJU for the first time (Commission Junction's annual 2 or 3 day conference), just a month or two after becoming a new affiliate manager for a major online retailer of handmade Persian/Oriental rugs.
I had NO IDEA what the industry was all about and I was lucky that my company paid for me to go, and by the time I came back, I felt like a fountain of knowledge and suddenly people began to come to ME for advice!
Of course I've never stopped learning but that was where it all began. I wonder sometimes had I NOT gone to CJU that year, if I'd be where I am today. The contacts I made, the learnings I came back with - they all helped me continue to swim rather than sink in this ocean that is the vast world of affiliate marketing.
Having said that - yes, the price for attending Affiliate Summit (and other shows like it) can be quite steep at regular price. And of course you have to consider costs of airfare, hotel and spending cash while there. But consider this - there's 2 US shows per year - one on the west coast (NV or other nearby state), one on the east coast (FL so far been Orlando or Miami, etc.) so brainstorm options for traveling to the one which is closest and therefore most cost effective for you.
Do you maybe have family or friends in the city where the conference is taking place, who you can stay with instead of staying in the hotel? Or, consider maybe not staying AT the conference hotel (though attendees get discounts on regular hotel prices but the conference hotel is always a 4 or 5 star hotel so expect about $120/night - it varies - if you stay on-site). There are usually more affordable hotel options. You may consider splitting a hotel room with a friend in the biz who is also attending or maybe who just wants to travel with you for the trip to help lighten your financial load at least in terms of accommodations while there.
For tickets, there are always special offers to help newbies and smaller biz guys (indie biz folks, startup guys etc) to make it there. For example - if you make a video and upload to YouTube.com about why you think you need to be at the next Affiliate Summit and talk about how attending would benefit you (be creative!), the organizers will give you a free ticket (at least this was the offer all during 06/07 so far).
Many merchants and networks who attend do giveaways to affiliates for performance, or in the form of contests, draws, or based on other criteria etc., - that's another option if you can get your hands on one.
Alternatively, there are some other forums like this one but which focus 100% on Affiliate marketing, where members are given exclusive members discounts - bringing the original ticket price down to about 60% of what it started out at regular price (better than the Summit's Early Bird pricing!).
Sometimes folks auction off their tickets on eBay - so look for those too, though they too can go for pretty penny.
Then of course there is the Exhibit Hall only pass, and with exclusive discounts (if you can get your hands on them using one of the options above as mentioned), you can get a ticket for as little as $200 or some odd bucks (USD).
Mind you, w/ that Exhibit Hall only pass, you won't be able to attend all the seminars and exclusive networking events, but if you're really good at networking online (again check w/ industry forums for Affiliate Summit gatherings), you can find out where all the "after parties", dinners and other casual gatherings are to take place, and attend these which don't require you to have a pass for the show. These casual gatherings (which are often 10-100 people in size depending) are GREAT for making new industry contacts, striking deals between merchants/affiliates for special offers, VIP/exclusive commission deals, etc), and just all around beneficial from the live debate/discussion alone. You can't HELP but learn a ton just from talking to folks in the biz.
Twitter and Facebook are a good way to keep in touch w/ Affiliate folks during the Summits - many of us Twitter each other to say where the next "party" or "dinner" or other "gathering" is being held- if you can afford to just stay near the Summit you will be able to attend many impromptu gatherings involving the many other SUmmit go-ers where you can make many new contacts and learn from the people you meet.
I'd hate to put anyone off going to Affiliate Summit just because they were new to the biz. It's not free or cheap usually but it is invaluable. If you can make it and you do want to be in this biz, do try to make it - you won't regret it.
A few friendly suggestions for anyone who DOES attend - DO NOT be shy, DO bring LOTS of business cards, and DO approach new people with a smile. Every person you meet is a new opportunity - don't pass them up! Come armed w/ all the biz cards and promo giveaways you can carry, and be prepared to NETWORK, network, network!!!
Hope to see you at a future show...
The Affiliate Summit
I went to the one this past January that was in Vegas and that was my first and only one.
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