Affiliate summits and conferences help in promoting the industry. These are the common platforms where the issues of affiliates and other participants can be addressed. 

Affiliate marketing has caught everyone by surprise. The rapid pace at which it is developing might soon revolutionize the entire marketing world. Until now, the efforts looked like loosely connected strings. But, with more and more people taking up the task and the evolving nature of online business-to-business services, it has raised concerns regarding its status as an industry and the world wide acceptance.

As of now, affiliate marketers work at individual level and in small groups. There is no union or central authority to look after the industry promotion and its growth. There is no common platform where the affiliates can put their concerns and address their issues.

However, at many places in Europe and US, affiliate summits and conferences are being held. Such summits and conferences are really helpful as different participants in the industry come face-to-face.  

In Asia-Pacific region very few programs, like the ones mentioned above, are conducted. Affiliate marketing has received a warm welcome in the region and particularly in China, which is renowned for the developments in business-to-business platforms. These two countries also house the largest marketplaces in the world. With population crossing a couple of billions, the opportunities are unlimited.

According to a renowned affiliate network , “We would really appreciate the efforts made to the establishment and promotion of the industry. In affiliate marketing the distance between affiliates and advertisers is unexpectedly large and it hampers the normal business.”

There is a universal call to put forth some code of conduct and industry norms for affiliate marketing industry. Once the industry is promoted and recognized at international level, the marketers, advertisers and networks can really show their potential.  

The participants so far in various affiliate summits have been mostly from online marketing profession, retailers, online gaming service providers, tour and travel providers and financial experts.

Affiliate marketing, however, has a lot of potential and can deliver to other business verticals as well. By involving and interacting with different people in the industry, a lot more can be done.