Affiliate World Conferences (AWA) have become the benchmark for performance marketing events, attracting over 25,000 of the world’s top super affiliates, offer owners, and digital entrepreneurs annually. But how did it all begin? We sat down with the AWA team to learn about the origins of the event, their journey, and what the future holds.
1. How did Affiliate World Conferences start, and how big is it now?
Affiliate World began as a blog, which later evolved into an online forum focused on affiliate marketing, initially called STMForum (now rebranded as AffiliateWorldForum.com). At that time, affiliate marketing was still in its early stages, and the forum provided a dedicated space for affiliates to exchange ideas and strategies.
This grew into a series of small meetups in various cities, starting with 10 people in a pub in Melbourne, followed by a few more at a bar in Amsterdam, and eventually 600 people in London. These meetups quickly evolved into what we now know as Affiliate World Conferences — the #1 performance marketing event, attracting over 25,000 of the world’s top super affiliates, offer owners, digital entrepreneurs, online marketers, and industry thought leaders annually.
2. Can you tell us about the team behind AWA? Who are these superheroes?
It takes a special kind of ‘superhero’ to organize an event of this scale. The AWA team is divided into several key areas:
- Production and Operations: Bringing the event to life, orchestrating logistics to ensure a seamless experience for every attendee.
- Talent & Marketing: Driving global awareness and attracting top attendees.
- Sales: Securing sponsorships and partnerships that enhance the event’s value and impact.
- Design: Creating the visual identity that embodies the energy of Affiliate World in every detail.
- Tech: Powering the digital experience from purchasing tickets on the website to navigating the conference via the AW mobile app.
With a team scattered across the globe—from Central Europe to the Philippines—AWA’s international reach reflects its diverse audience.
3. When and why did you decide to host a conference in Bangkok?
The first-ever AWA event took place in Bangkok in 2015 with around 1,500 attendees. The city was chosen for its vibrant digital nomad scene and its accessibility, making it an ideal location for affiliate marketers to gather. Its dynamic environment, visa-free accessibility, and reputation as a networking hotspot made it the perfect choice.
4. When do preparations for AWA begin?
Organizing the conference is an ongoing process, with preparations starting soon after the previous event wraps up. Securing venues, coordinating suppliers, and planning events require months of meticulous planning. Even though the event itself lasts only two days, the behind-the-scenes work is a year-round effort.
5. Everyone is curious about why you moved the event from Barcelona to Budapest. What were the main reasons behind this decision, and what are your impressions of the first conference held there this September?
We have always made a significant effort to host our events in vibrant cities that align with the superaffiliate lifestyle and vibe. Bangkok, Dubai, Berlin, Barcelona, and Budapest are all exciting cities—not only during the conference but also before and after. It’s crucial for us to select venues in each city that ensure the comfort and convenience our attendees expect.
Unfortunately, the venue we had relied on in Barcelona required renovation due to its declining condition. Some of you may recall the air conditioning issues we faced during the worst heat wave in Spanish history. As a result, hosting the event there in 2024 was no longer an option.
Despite our love for Barcelona, we decided to move Affiliate World Europe to a new venue further north and shift the event timing from July to September.
The feedback from attendees and exhibitors was fantastic. Budapest, a stunningly beautiful city that remains relatively unknown to many global travelers, was a wonderful surprise for our community. The newly renovated venue we selected offered resources the previous Barcelona location could not provide.
We are now carefully reviewing attendee feedback and working to deliver an even better event next year.
6. What are the main differences between organizing events in Dubai, Budapest, and Bangkok?
Each city presents its own logistical and cultural challenges. For example, Dubai’s logistics are unmatched, with supplies delivered quickly—even late at night—while in Europe, longer planning is required. Adapting to local conditions ensures that AWA maintains the high quality attendees expect.
7. What’s the greatest challenge you’ve faced organizing AWC?
The biggest challenge came during the pandemic, which forced AWA to cancel in-person events for two years. However, the team pivoted to online events, launching Ad World Prime, which continues to serve over 150,000 members today. Returning to in-person events in Dubai in 2022 was a challenge, but the team emerged stronger than ever.
8. How do you choose speakers for the show?
We select speakers based on their current relevance in the industry and their ability to deliver actionable insights that provide immense value to our audience. Thanks to the popularity and reputation of our events, we’re able to work with the very best. Each speaker undergoes a thorough onboarding process and must meet specific quality standards to be approved for the event. Our stages set the standard in the affiliate marketing industry, and we take great pride in attracting hundreds of attendees to each presentation.
9. Have you considered a 3-day conference?
All of our decisions are guided by customer feedback, and at this time, this change doesn’t seem to be something a significant portion of our audience would value. While some attendees and exhibitors have expressed a desire for more time to conduct business on-site, it’s not yet a widely popular request. Should this preference become more widespread, we may reconsider, but for now, it’s not something the majority is asking for.
10. What can we expect for AWA’s 10th anniversary in 2025?
We’re immensely proud to celebrate Affiliate World’s 10th anniversary in 2025, a milestone that reflects our resilience and growth in the ever-evolving affiliate marketing landscape.
Here’s what’s ahead for 2025:
Affiliate World Dubai — 26-27 February 2025
Affiliate World Budapest — 4-5 September 2025
Affiliate World Bangkok — 4-5 December 2025
AdsEmpire is excited to be a part of Affiliate World Bangkok! Don’t miss the chance to meet us there, connect with our team, and discover exciting opportunities to grow together.
