Affiliate Summit East 2017 brought our team to New York City for education, partner meetings and time with colleagues across the industry. This recap records the highlights we shared on August 4, 2017.
The event followed a change in ownership. Affiliate Summit co-founder Shawn Collins announced the acquisition by Clarion Events on July 27, 2017. Despite that new chapter, our team found the familiar mix of learning and relationship-building at the conference.
Practical preparation for Q4
Former football player Joe Theismann opened the conference with a keynote. Our own Adam Dahlen, then Director of Client Development at iAffiliate Management, presented 5 Ways to Get Your Affiliate Program Ready for Q4.
His session focused on work merchants could complete ahead of the holiday period: planning promotions and contests, securing placements and finalizing new affiliate integrations. Those topics connected the commercial calendar with the operational preparation needed to support it.
Conversations at the Meet Market
The Meet Market and exhibit hall gave publishers, merchants and networks a place to discuss opportunities directly. Feedback we heard about the Meet Market was positive, particularly around its short, focused conversations and efficient pace.
The format helped turn a broad industry gathering into specific introductions and follow-up discussions.
Supporting the industry through the PMA
Rick Gardiner, iAffiliate Management's founder and CEO, spent time at the Performance Marketing Association booth during the Meet Market. Alongside Awin's Jeannine Crooks and LinkConnector's Choots Humphries, he spoke with attendees about the PMA's work on behalf of the industry.
A Sunday morning PMA brunch provided another opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with industry colleagues.
Networking beyond the conference floor
The conversations continued at evening events, including ShareASale's Under the Stars party. The Performance Horizon gathering added mariachi music to the week's networking experiences.
For our team, the combination of practical sessions, planned meetings and informal conversations made the trip valuable. The Q4 themes also connect with our broader guidance on planning for affiliate program seasonality.
