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Another Affiliate Summit has come and gone, and I have finally had time to reflect on it and draw some conclusions about my experiences. Not surprisingly, I have a lot to say!
Rave: I loved having the opportunity to see New York with some of my favorite affiliate marketing friends. Whether it was Madame Tussauds with Kim Salvino or Times Square with Ashleigh Ball, I loved every minute of the atmosphere. Being in New York itself is a great conversation starter.
Regret: I wish that I had more time to hang out at Old Castle and eat Street Meat. I’ve come to associate those with Affiliate Summit but there just wasn’t time this year.
Raves: I was fortunate enough to participate in two different panels. It seems silly but I love preparing for Summit panels because I have to stretch myself to learn new things and learn even more about things I think I already know. I also love the opportunity to share what I know with others. Todd Farmer and Kristen Grace were nice enough to indulge me in some silliness in our Seasonality in Affiliate Marketing panel. I also got to meet Adhustler, whom I had never met before, for my How to Pitch Your Company panel.
Regrets: I wish that I had more time to attend other panels. I only attended the SEO Clinic, which was moderated by Rae Hoffman-Dolan (who I was excited to finally meet this time!). There were so many amazing presentations about everything from LinkedIn to Coupons to Branding. I am going to have a lot of videos to watch when they become available. It’s one of the reasons that getting the right pass is so important to me. I know that I will focus more on the meetups and relationship building while I am there and can catch those videos later (especially after I hear which sessions get great reviews!)
Rave: The constructive social time. And I don’t just mean the free drinks. Although that helps. I mean the opportunity to truly have fun with friends and grow my circle of trust. Whether it was cocktails and conversation (thanks, buy.at!), bull riding and breakdancing (thanks, ShareASale!), wine and atmosphere (thanks, PMA!), or singing my heart out with my dear friend Eric (thanks, Shawn & Missy!), the “down time” is what allows us all to get to know each other on a more personal level so that we WANT to work together more.
Regret: Not getting a video of Daniel Feinberg singing Hit Me, Baby, One More Time.
Did I actually get any business done during this time? Absolutely! Within 48 hours of returning home I launched a new merchant on Sunshine Rewards that my members loved and started making purchases from immediately. That’s just one short-term gain. For the long-term, I was able to build my brand, grow my network of contacts, and solidify relationships with people who help me in unbelievable ways. Will you see me in Vegas in January? I’m already counting the days.
(P.S. If you didn’t meet Ashleigh…she saved the day for me multiple times this trip. In addition to being a fabulous roommate, she giggled as much as I did plus always managed to know what I needed before I even needed it. You must meet her in Vegas!!!)
looks like you really had a great time. i say it’s a great experience. 🙂
Spice Girls are beautiful!
I attended your “Seasonality” session, Tricia, and really enjoyed it. Actually, for me it was one of the more valuable discussions. Thanks for sharing your insight!
Thanks for the positive feedback, Ashley!
In spite of the regrets, to me it seems like you had a blast!
so that how affilate summits sounds like? i will defintly join one when possiable!
Great post, nice pictures too, especially the first one brings back memories for sure
Tricia,
Thanks to you and Ashleigh for making the trip to Madame Tussauds with me and Mary! What a fun time, and I’d love to plan a trip in Vegas.
Every AS I return to the office to the best feeling of exhaustion. I have a stack of new contacts, have solidified relationships, strengthened existing ones and have been on what can only be described as one wild conference ride. I don’t want to sleep, because that’s less time I can spend with those I know, love and respect.
Here’s to January coming sooner than any of us expect. And here’s hoping I’ll see more of all of you there, because 5 days just isn’t enough!
Great recap! It was awesome seeing you as always… but I want more Tricia Time in Vegas in January. Someplace where we’re not yelling at each other over the music!
I got scared off the Street Meat, actually. I heard a story about the guy cleaning his grill with water from the fountain and them someone getting sick right after. So I got a cupcake from the cupcake guy right near the Street Meat guy… and got sick. Almost. It was touch-and-go for a while after. Blah.
I’m with Shawn, too – I can’t believe it was 5 nights. It flew by… the first time I thought “yeah, I’ve been here a while, time to go home” was Wednesday mid-morning!
great post.
i can especially relate to the panelist/speaker element… this was my first time wearing a speaker badge at AS and can’t imagine going again without one. it’s actually inspiring me to do big things between now and the end of the year primarily so i can merit being a speaker again. sounds funny i know but it was just so much more awesome this way.
i look forward to meeting you, Tricia.
Agreed 100%. I haven’t spoken in a while but it is a different experience at AS when you do. 🙂 I hope to speak again at a future AS.
Love your raves/regrets recap Tricia – nice angle! Great seeing you though as always wish we had more time to hang out! We will most definitely have to plan ahead next AS!
Sounds like a great time was had by all. Hopefully I will be able to make to Vegas in January.
It’s hard for me to believe I was there for 5 nights, because it flew by – I hear once in a while from critics of sessions (who typically have never been to one) that there is nothing for them to learn from these people.
I picked up so many useful things I can’t wait to apply. I’ll let the critics keep talking while I grow my sites. 😉
Street Meat is definitely a key meal – I had it 3 late nights this time. Pretty sure that’s a personal record. And got in some good time at Old Castle.
Long days, but I love to make them long, because they end up being so valuable.
See you in Vegas!