Affiliate Summit or A4U Expo?

[TheBoyMitchell]

With the sudden rash of Affiliate marketing conferences starting up at this time of year, can I justify going to both of these events?

I'll be attending Ad-Tech, as its a given, but will I get anything more out of attending these two as well? I notice that A4U Expo is charging affiliates to go (£280) as well as merchants and networks (£380). Affiliate Summit is charging up to £386 to attend too.


So, if I was to choose one, which should it be? Any recommendations? I want to meet Networks, Merchants and Affiliates.

its all so confusing

[Gavinio]

Bit late to start asking now isn't it?

There were cheap and or free tickets available for some of these events if you knew where to look a while ago.

All events look good - as a company, we're at all of them - only time will tell which will be worthwile!

[TheBoyMitchell]

Hahaha! Good Point. Just interested in other peoples views as to whether an event costing hundreds of pounds would be of more value than AdTech. Its normally the same faces innit.

[nim-b]

I think the key point is that these will be events dedicated purely to affiliate marketing, so that's why they might be of more value to some people than AdTech. And I don't think it will just be the same faces, not everyone is going to be able to make it down to London for AdTech and one/both affiliate events.

You might have a problem getting anyone to pick one of them over the other- as they are both new events most people are going to have no idea if one will be better!

[3wdl]

I'm not a huge fan of Ad:Tech but the the reason to go to these events is that there will be a number of sessions that should be extremely insightful for anyone in the indsutry.

My initial impressions are that the Summit is more US based and that the Expo is more UK based - the expo is two days and has SES there too.

If I could go to both I would - I'm in a big pitch on Friday so can't make the Summit though

[Matthew Wood]

I'll be going to all the events, and each will be unique and great for this industry.

I'm naturally biased, but I feel you need to look at the agenda for the events, and then make your mind up if they will add value for you.

To re-cap Included in the low delegate rate for our very own a4uexpo is access to over 40 educational and interactive sessions over two days, exhibitor hall access, pre-networking party invite, a4uAwards ceremony and networking party invite, lunches, refreshments, access to all Search Engine Strategies (SES) sessions, drinks and hot food in the evenings, and if you're still eager to network an invite to the after show party!

This is an enormous step up from a free event such as ad-tech, and any of our pure networking events we have organised.

Also for the record we've not given any free passes to a4uexpo! however if you need further convincing re price, speak to one of our platinum sponsors they may just have a sponsor discount code you can use

[sgpratley]

I found Ad tech is more useful if you're looking for technology or suppliers and seems to be very much aimed at the display advertising market.

It's probably too general to pick up many great new tips as an affiliate. I wasn't very inspired by the conference stream, it looks like a 2 day sales pitch!

[anshul123]

With the sudden rash of Affiliate marketing conferences starting up at this time of year, can I justify going to both of these events?

I'll be attending Ad-Tech, as its a given, but will I get anything more out of attending these two as well? I notice that A4U Expo is charging affiliates to go (£280) as well as merchants and networks (£380). Affiliate Summit is charging up to £386 to attend too.


So, if I was to choose one, which should it be? Any recommendations? I want to meet Networks, Merchants and Affiliates.

its all so confusing

Affiliate Submit is good.. may be because number of exhibitors listed there are more, also you can get a cheaper ticket in:-
Exhibit Hall Only Pass: (Provides access to the Exhibit Hall, Keynote Session, Come & Talk to Me Session Only.) £58.75

[pistol101]

They are both new events, so don't expect too much from either. It always takes a couple of years to really get events going.

From people i've spoken to A4U Expo seems to have a much better following and the quality of speakers is better at A4UE.

[moshin]

I've been to Adtech yesterday, didn't bother today because i really didn't find anything new or interesting there, every other company is touting more or less the same kind of stuff. email, PPC, social networking, SEO bla bla,

Some of them not to mention the names but despite having a pr 3 on their home pages are offering 5000 pound starter SEO packages. (Oh me Lord I saw cousins of jack the ripper)

Im not being cynical or anything but just sharing some observations. I must say I had a good time talking to some very interesting people in the industry, specially Kevin from Linkshare.

Now Im hoping tomorrow's summit will have some new foreign ideas

[clubmom]

...as they are both new events most people are going to have no idea if one will be better!

Affiliate Summit in London was actually the 8th Affiliate Summit - all of which have been run by myself and my partner, Missy Ward.

Great to see you, Matt - good luck next month.

[jess1]

All events can be hit or miss surely? Its down to the individual/company to decide which event is most likely to be the best fit for him/her/them. The fact that we have so many good events to chose from should help narrow down the search. Perhaps there are were some people who did not have a clear enough idea about what they wanted or were looking for?

Pistol101: "They are both new events, so don't expect too much from either." Just out of interest, how would you know what to expect? You have no clue as to what individuals and companies are looking for to make such a sweeping statement.
Affiliatesummit.com and adtech were both buzzing, sorry to disappoint you!
I got loads out of both and Im not the only one, but then I went ...

a) to support my friends and fellow industry folk,
b)To look to see how much the market has grown
c) to find new technologies
d) meet new people
e) forge new business.
f) Promote the industry in a positive light

Happily objective achieved for all for me

A4u expo is UK specific of course its going to be bigger in the same way affsummit is already enormous in the US, but that is stating the obvious!

[pistol101]

You weren't paid to promote the Summit by any chance

They may have been buzzing, but at the end of the day it's a business decision if it's worth attending. It's taken Adtech 3 years in the UK to get to the level it was last week and it's certainly got a long way to go if it wants to keep affiliate marketing at the event.

I didn't use my Summit pass purely due to the feedback i'd been given from people who had attended during the morning.

[jess1]

can I point out that the summit is over... so am I being paid for promoting some thing that has ended? Am I being paid to promote a4uexpo? nope but its none of your business anyway, Im not a PLC.

Like I said... its what ever you are/were looking for as an individual or a company Pete.
Just because its not your cup of tea does not mean that its not some one elses, surely?

Your decision was swayed by what some one else said?
How can you even comment then on something you did not attend, but only heard about?
Makes no sense to me.

[Frostie]

"Which one is better?" is the same type of question as "How long is a piece of string?"

I went to Summit in Vegas and for that reason decided to give it a skip in London, although next time I will be heading down, but it also clashed with meetings I had already scheduled. I did however hear it was a successful considering it was its very first one in the UK and think when this, and A4UE are both bedded in (in the UK), they will both become must attends.

I always find AdTech/Internet World good places to visit once every couple of years, just to see what the networks/agencies are saying about themselves, and what they are pushing as future drivers in order to get new merchants onboard. Agree, however, they aren't really targetted towards affiliates, but still good to visit when you need a new mousemat or some jelly beans and as always to meet up with peeps on a face to face basis.

A4UExpo is something I am really looking forward to and have been since it was announced. So much so, that my train tickets and hotel is now booked. Those that know me, this is extremely unusual as its usually the week before (or for Vegas it was 3 weeks before).

Do take on board what others say, but don't let those comments make the decision for you. Visit each and every one (including Miami and Vegas ), and make your own mind up.

My only gripe is that you have 2 big events (AS and A4U) so close together. It would be nice if large conferences like these were 6mths apart.