 | Affiliate Marketing Conferences: A4UExpo v Affiliate Summit |
Later this year UK affiliates will be able to attend what will probably be the two biggest events for UK affiliates: A4UExpo and Affiliate Summit. These events should help raise the profile and awareness of affiliate marketing in the UK but are they too close together in terms of timing and content?
A4UExpo - It’s Your Industry Get Involved
A4UExpo “is the first conference and exhibition dedicated to affiliate marketing to be held in Europe” and takes place at ExCel London on October 25th and 26th. It’s open to networks, affiliates, merchants and agencies. Current sponsors include Buy.at, Tradedoubler, Affili.net, BT, Ebay, Valueclick, NMA, IAB and E-consultancy. The event is being put together by Existem Ltd, the company owned by the founder of A4UForum.
There are branding and exhibition opportunities available, and at the time of writing pen and A4 pad branding. A basic open stand at A4UExpo costs £2295 +VAT and according to the information on the site 8 sections have already been sold (it’s unclear if this is up to date). The event will feature workshops, networking opportunites, discussion panels and guest speakers. A social event will take place on October 25th when the inaugural Affiliate Awards will be held.
Delegate prices are TBC, but early bird rates will be offered. Further details and updates are available at the A4U Expo Blog.
Affiliate Summit London 2007
Affililiate Summit takes place on September 28th 2007 at the Olympia Conference Centre in London. It’s being put together by Jess Luthi, Missy Ward & Shawn Collins. Sponsorship opportunities are available, although currently (according to the site) only Silver has been sold. Speakers are currently being sought and as yet no agenda has been set, although the organisers welcome input and suggestions.
Registration is already open and an early bird discount is available. Register before September 21st and the cost is £229+VAT. From September 22nd the price is £329+VAT.
A4UExpo v Affiliate Summit
I don’t think I’ll be the only affiliate looking at these two conferences as competitors to each other. They may be pitched differently and have slightly different angles (e.g. Affiliate Summit’s USA connections) but essentially both will want UK affiliate, network, agency and merchant interest.
No doubt some UK affiliates will try and attend both A4UExpo and Affiliate Summit, but overnight London events mean hotel charges on top of entry charges and that may well mean some affiliates choosing only one event to attend. Some merchants, and perhaps even networks, may also be forced by budget costs to choose only one event as well.
So which event to choose? Or should you attend both? As yet it’s probably too early to decide (unless other things already dictate your decision). The speakers and sponsors at the events could well be the deal breakers - and they will be important to at least demonstrate to attendees that these events are significantly different to each other. At the moment, A4UExpo seem to be leading the way in terms of sponsors, but Affiliate Summit is a successful machine across the pond and it will be interesting to see whether that can transform itself over here.
| Summary | A4UExpo | Affiliate Summit |
| Date | 25th - 26th October 2007 | 28th September 2007 |
| Location | ExCel London | Olympia Conference Centre, London |
| Organisers | Existem Ltd, A4UForum | Shawn Collins, Jess Luthi, Missy Ward |
| Affiliate Cost | TBC | £229+VAT (Early Bird) |
| Sponsors | Buy.at, Tradedoubler, Ebay, Affili.net | TBC |
| Speakers | TBC | TBC |
on April 10, 2007 at 3:18 pm Shawn Collins wrote:
> Speakers are currently being sought (for Affiliate Summit) and as yet no agenda has been set…
Just wanted to note that the speaker submissions are being accepted through June 1, 2007.
After that time, the agenda will start to fill out as speakers are accepted.
on April 13, 2007 at 4:23 pm Clarke wrote:
2 events a month apart where Affiliates need to pay to attend each and not just talking about door costs, flights and hotels and all that. All I can say is if not enough Affiliates go to each there is going to be some mighty pissed off Merchants and Networks. I wish them both good luck but understand not everyone has investment money to splash out on these events so don’t read anything into Merchants or Networks not attending both or even any of them.