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Affiliate World is more than just a conference. It’s a place where industry leaders meet, million-dollar deals are signed, and new trends are born. But what goes on behind the scenes of this massive event? What does AW look like from the inside?
We spoke with Sabrina—someone who knows every detail of the conference. In this interview, she shares exclusive behind-the-scenes insights, explains how the event program is built, discusses the key qualities needed for success in the industry, and reveals what motivates her the most. Enjoy the read, and don’t miss the promo code for a 20% discount on AW Dubai!
The first thing I do after landing is buy a local SIM card—it’s become a psychological ritual. I need to be available 24/7. Then it’s straight into work mode: meetings with partners and the on-site team. My schedule is planned down to the minute before I even arrive.
For example, we know the Dubai location well, so we don’t need time to adapt or scout the venue. Given our packed schedule and 18-hour workdays leading up to and during the event, our full focus is on final preparations and client coordination.
Honestly, I travel so much that sightseeing is never on my agenda. My priority is simply surviving the schedule.
We are deeply immersed in the industry. Programming starts with trend analysis, participant feedback from past events, and direct conversations with key players in the market.
We track what top experts are discussing, which tools and strategies are currently effective, and the biggest challenges the industry faces. The program always revolves around hot topics—Meta Ads, Google Ads, TikTok Ads, Native Ads, SEO, AI, as well as business scaling and automation.
We carefully select practitioners as speakers, prioritizing those who share real case studies and insights. Attendees don’t just get theory—they walk away with concrete strategies they can implement immediately.
We don’t chase “unique” formats for the sake of a wow factor—our priority is high-quality content and deep expertise.
Each conference is a step forward, where we challenge ourselves to raise the bar in topic selection and event preparation. This isn’t a show; it’s an industry-focused conference delivering 100% relevant content.
The ticket prices—and if we’re joking, yes, you won’t find affiliate conference tickets priced like this anywhere else. But that’s actually our strength.
Don’t forget to use the promo code LEADPANDA for a 20% discount on your ticket!
We know our audience inside and out. Only those who seriously work in the industry are willing to invest in a ticket. It acts as a natural filter, ensuring the event is attended by professionals who value knowledge, connections, and deals more than the price of admission.
AW isn’t just a conference; it’s an ecosystem for the strongest players in the industry. Everyone who attends knows why they’re there and what value they’re getting. And if people are willing to pay, it means we’re doing things right.
I originally came from affiliate marketing, specifically nutra—where everything was steady, homey, and stress-free. That’s how my career in the industry started. Then life took a turn, I got into events… and there was no way back.
If I had to name the three key qualities that helped me succeed, they would be:
No industry thrives without it, but in events, it’s critical. With tight deadlines and unexpected challenges, if you can’t push through, you won’t last long.
When handling hundreds of partners, thousands of attendees, and juggling a million details, staying focused and maintaining energy is essential.
The world, market, and audience expectations constantly evolve. You must adjust quickly and deliver a top-tier experience for every client.
The week before a conference is non-stop. It’s not just the main event, but also side events, parallel meetings, and cross-team coordination.
These are 18-20-hour workdays, packed with client management, last-minute checks, and solving unexpected issues.
It’s brutal. There’s no time to relax—I measure my days by the number of dead phone batteries and power banks used. Every event throws in some chaos at impossible deadlines. You have to be ready to problem-solve instantly, without panic—because that’s the essence of the job: handling chaos while staying composed.
Post-event, there’s a brief calm, almost like the eye of a storm, where I can recharge for 24 hours before jumping back on a plane home.
Whenever I hear people mention meditation, I genuinely envy them. I simply don’t have time for that.
When you’re always on the move, there’s no time to stress. If you know exactly what you’re doing, there’s no point in worrying—you just take action.
Physically, Magnesium B6 helps me manage tension—it’s a great long-term supplement for overall balance. Health maintenance shouldn’t be a travel-only focus—it’s an everyday necessity.
Funny question! Let’s be honest—success and money motivate everyone. Everything else sounds like a fairy tale.
But being part of something massive and truly impressive—that’s a unique thrill in itself.
It’s less of an insight and more of a confirmation:
Like a well-oiled machine, a great event comes from everyone mastering their role. When each person delivers at the highest level, they become an irreplaceable part of a massive, perfectly functioning system.
That synergy is what turns a complex process into a seamless operation—where every “cog” and “gear” matters.
In affiliate marketing, you either keep up or fall behind.
It’s a fast-moving industry, with new tech, strategies, and trends emerging constantly. The event side of affiliate marketing is even crazier.
The evolution over the past few years has been massive—so many new networking formats: conferences, meetups, private dinners, exclusive clubs, VIP gatherings.
The market isn’t just saturated—it’s arguably overcrowded. The competition is so fierce that newcomers struggle to break in and stand out among established events.
Affiliate World has been around for 10 years—we’re a true industry veteran. We’ve adapted, evolved, and continued growing.
For new conferences, it’s a tough time—audiences are more demanding, securing sponsors and attendees is harder, and the market expects top-tier standards.
Simply “gathering people” isn’t enough anymore. To survive, a conference needs real value, top-quality content, and a strong community.
That’s what separates powerful events from those that come and go.
Haha, people jokingly call me a detonator—I’m the first to be sent anywhere there’s even a hint of a problem.
That skill still helps me today: quickly assessing situations, finding solutions instantly, and navigating unexpected crises.
As for languages, I speak five:
That’s been a huge advantage in my work. That’s exactly why I work across the entire EMEA region and feel comfortable communicating with any client, regardless of their background or cultural differences.
In general, as the song goes: “Everywhere I go, I’m a foreigner, yet somehow I belong.” 😄
Let’s talk about this in Asia in December when we close 400 booths there. That will be a major achievement, showcasing how our team continues to outperform itself.
For better or worse, the biggest challenge is personal. I’m a mother of two, and my constant traveling is a challenge not just for me but for my family as well. The most important thing is to have peace of mind about my home and kids while I’m flying and working. There’s no way around it—I’ve already adapted to juggling kids, contracts, and cooking.
Every time I pack my suitcase, two “syndromes” kick in: the “wife who left” and the “mom who’s flying away”—that’s the real picture behind the glamorous facade. It takes strong nerves for everyone involved!
Dubai is too soon, but the next conference is in Budapest in September. Come, attend, observe, learn, network—and most importantly, don’t be afraid. In this industry, boldness, speed, and the ability to connect with the right people make all the difference. The best way to learn is to be at the heart of the action!
The industry is constantly evolving, and we always strive to cover the most relevant topics. Right now, the focus is on AI in marketing, automation, and new traffic sources—because these are already transforming the market and will set the trends in the coming years.
But what’s most exciting are the unique case studies from top industry players, regardless of location. This is truly a deep, worldwide perspective. Our goal isn’t just to highlight niches but to break down actionable strategies that can be applied in real life—giving the next generation a chance to learn from the best.
If you want to make God laugh, tell Him about your plans. 😄
But seriously, we’ll definitely come up with something to surprise the industry again soon. Stay tuned for announcements! For now, it’s Budapest in September and Asia in December.
We live in a digital age, and digitalization is inevitable, but you can’t survive on virtual interactions alone. Yes, we adapt to circumstances—whether it’s COVID, geopolitics, climate change, or technological shifts—but despite all that, offline events are not just alive; they’re thriving.
People need people. Live communication, emotions, and real-life experiences can never be fully replaced by online interactions. At the end of the day, trust and partnerships are built in the real world, and conferences, events, and networking spaces are where deals, connections, and mutually beneficial friendships are formed.
That’s a question for dreamers and romantics.
This year, AWC turns 10, and I think everyone just wants to take a moment to appreciate this milestone. It’s the result of immense work, growth, and effort. Right now, what matters most is making the absolute most of the present—so that maybe, in another 10 years, we can still proudly say: “We are still the largest multi-vertical affiliate conference.”
