How Much Stuff Do You Get Done at Affiliate Conventions?

[addz123]

Hey,

I'm planning on going to the next gaming affiliate conference in London in January and was wondering what benefits you all get from going?

I know it's great to network etc, but are there any work-related advantages? Did you manage to get something done that paid for the trip by itself for example?

When you meet with AMs, is it that much different to working on Skype or negotiating deals through a phone call?

[gaffg]

There is a lot to gain from attending the conferences but meeting people in person builds a higher level of trust.

Apparently I'm stupid

[SebPAS]

In all honesty - the majority of affiliates could get everything done via Skype/email/phone... and in terms of actual work, you will most definitely be getting a lot more done staying in, not to mention that you do save-up a whole lot on expenses -

that being said, "gaffg" is quite right when he mentions that you do build-up a higher level of trust meeting partners/people face to face. Not only will you be able to make some faster negotiations (if any), but you will also be able to build a stronger relationship, which in turn and by extension, should be able to get you more: better promotions, maybe better deals, benefit of the doubt in case your players do anything fraud-type (it could happen by mistake, and this trust could just be the one thing saving you from being banned from the affiliate program), industry gossip (sometimes it does come in handy), and increase your network of contacts that will always come in handy.

Of course, you will also be able to make some new friends, have a good time (take it as a break from the usual workload and the family ;-) ), and if you are lucky, most expenses paid by the gaming sites if they are treating you out (not that it matters, but if you are watching your expenses, well, free is always great imo :P )

if you've attended several throughout the years, you don't get much from it apart from catching-up with friends/contacts, and perhaps meeting the new faces (that is, if you're already set with deals/promos/gossip).
However, I do recommend that you go to at least 1-2 per year, and London is definitely one of the best, given it has proven to have the highest attendance of them all, and side events too - worth the investment.

seb

[Laurence]

Barcelona was always the best for me, London depresses the shit out of me. After attending 4 or 5 it became fairly unproductive work-wise so I stopped going. I'd like to go again now but traveling 10 hours for it is just not worth it imo.

[wendybluff]

I guess the point is to meet people face to face, and bonding with some people over a few drinks beats skype. Also you will see people or businesses that you did not know existed. But then after 5 of them, yes it starts losing its usefulness.

[pipeline]

I think its cool having basically an organized party at neat places with people from all around the world. Its not something most people get to experience in life. Would like it if they had better/more-different locations though. But biz, yea not really or at least I don't schedule around that concept for the most part. Kinda newer affiliates seem to do more biz and older affiliates do more chillin.

oh yea, east european girls are hot..