Speakeasy Virgin

Posted on 10 May 2007 in Events | 0 comments

This year, I lost my Buy.AT Speakeasy virginity and dear god do they know how to throw a networking event in style! I am a little worse for wear, sat on the west coats train right now.

The event began in the afternoon featuring seminars layed on for Affiluates and for Merchants/Agencies, and was followed by the usual evening of networking. I attened the “Responding to Market Trends” that was aimed at affiliates, and listened to the thoughts of both Buy.At staff and the panel comprising of Littlewoods, Egg and Zed Media. It was quite interesting hearing the difference of opinion between Merchants and Agencies but I was very impressed with Littlewoods stance on a number of issues.

For the 2nd session, I actually sneaked in to the serminar aimed at Merchants and Agenies titled “Affiliate Marketing – The Next Generation” which I, as an affiliate, found very interesting and the panel again, somewhat diverse. I found the majority of the panel we VERY open and honest but had the feeling one in particular took this opportunity to ’sell’ himself and his business and was very much orientated on the benefits to him and not necessarily the industry.

The evening kicked off in style in 24, a renowned bar on Kingly Street. We were offered champagne on arrival and complimentary food (nibbles) although a few darted off for a curry which was understandable. Naturally the evening continued into the very LATE hours of the morning, something you come to expect nowadays.

During the evening, I was tracked down by a member of Buy.At who wanted to introduce me to a merchant whom I delivered some top results during Christmas. I came away from the chat feeling slightly drunk, but also extremely positibe that we could really help each other in the future. The merchant wanted to hear my suggestions, and ran a few of their own thoughts past both me and Buy.At on how to improve their program. This merchant wasn’t a little fish, it was a HUGE MOFO of a merchant which really makes a change nowadays and I am looking forward to a successful future with them. This is all down to the Buy.At network, and account manager putting merchant and affiliate in contact. Other networks would do well to learn!

An absolutely brilliant day and night was had, one of the best for networking. Well done buy.at and I look forward to next years!