Next to becoming Google’s best friend, networking is an affiliate manager’s most powerful resource. Whether it’s a small gathering, a Meet-Up, a lecture, or a full-fledged conference, the best AMs never pass up an opportunity to meet someone new.
As the affiliate marketing industry has grown by leaps and bounds over the past few years, so have the industry conferences. Filled with powerful presentations and seminars, these conferences can give newbies a crash course on affiliate marketing, as well as give veterans a chance to share their knowledge or learn about the latest cutting-edge tools and trends.
But regardless of the content, attendees of any conference are guaranteed one thing: networking. Whether it’s via an Exhibit Hall or sponsored parties, there are numerous opportunities to mingle with friends and associates, as well as make new introductions. It’s a fantastic way to start new business relationships, compare notes, and possibly even work on some exclusive partnerships.
As 2012 comes to a close, here’s a look at the biggest and best industry conferences to keep an eye on for 2013.
JANUARY
New Media Expo (NMX)
January 6-8, 2013
Las Vegas, Nevada
Presented by BlogWorld, the NMX conference is a huge gathering of over 30,000 from 50 different countries. Targeted at bloggers, podcasters, Web TV & Video Series Creators, you’ll find an immense array of seminars targeting content and marketing such as social media, bookmarking sites, widgets, syndication and more. You’ll also connect with industry leaders looking to share the latest tools, techniques and strategies on monetization.
Affiliate Summit West 2013
January 13-15, 2013
Las Vegas, Nevada
This annual show is perfect for newcomers to the affiliate marketing industry. Dedicated to the entire affiliate marketing, you can barely sneeze without finding an industry leader willing to lend a hand. Attended by equal parts affiliates and merchants, with plenty of agencies thrown in for good measure, there’s a great mix of sessions targeted at newbies and veterans alike.
MARCH
Search Marketing Expo – SMX West
March 11-13, 2013
San Jose, California
If you’re looking to learn a lot more about search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per click advertising (PPC), social media marketing, and more, you should certainly consider attending SMX West. There’s more than 50 sessions centered around every aspect of online marketing, with programming handled by the editors of the popular site Search Engine Land.
SES New York
March 25-28, 2013
New York City, New York
Another great place to gather plenty of information and contacts in the marketing and advertising space, SES New York focuses on everything from mobile marketing to link building to display advertising.
APRIL
ad-tech San Francisco
April 9-10, 2013
San Francisco, California
Looking to soak up the latest info on digital marketing? ad:tech is the place for you. Besides typical keynote presentations and industry leader sessions, the conference sports a number of innovative educational formats. Jump onboard a small classroom-style session or step into a hands-on workshop right on the expo floor.
Affiliate Management Days
April 16-17, 2013
San Francisco, California
Unlike the other conferences on this list, Affiliate Management Days is dedicated to affiliate management. Topics covered include things like affiliate recruitment techniques, legislative issues, compliance policing and enforcement, affiliate marketing fraud, and more. I
PubCon
April 22-25
New Orleans, Louisiana
If Social Media and SEO are your focus, then PubCon should get your attention. Some of the industry’s biggest leaders share their secrets to successful marketing through search engines, social media, Internet marketing, online advertising, and more.
AUGUST
Affiliate Summit East 2013
August 18-20
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The East-Coast version of Affiliate Summit offers the same great networking and learning opportunities as its Las Vegas counterpart. Set in New York City the last few years, 2013 sees ASE head on over to Philadelphia.
OCTOBER
Search Marketing Expo – SMX East
October 1-3, 2013
New York, New York
Can’t make the SMX West in San Jose? The New York version gives the other side of the country a chance to network and learn about every piece of online marketing.
There will be other affiliate marketing industry conferences that get scheduled throughout 2013, but if there are industry conferences that we missed that you find valuable we’d love to hear from you!