Every once in a while, we get the chance to step outside our usual conference routine and test out a few shows that we’ve always heard about, but have yet to attend. This summer, OPTIZMO packed up for two back-to-back industry events in Europe, ClickBid World in Ibiza and Affiliate World Europe in Budapest. Both delivered plenty of networking opportunities, new connections, and fresh insights, and they also gave us the chance to soak up some unforgettable local culture along the way. Check out some highlights from two great shows below.
ClickBid World – Ibiza
For an island best known as the summertime capital of EDM (Electronic Dance Music for the uninitiated), Ibiza delivered a strong backdrop to a business event. Networking really stole the show, which is the heart of any great conference. It was especially rewarding to finally meet people our team has been connected with on social media (in some cases for more than a decade) but had never crossed paths with in person. We also sat in on an interesting mastermind session around scaling a business internationally, touching on everything from tax strategies to hiring talent across borders. The sessions were all insightful, but this one stood out for our team.
Of course, no trip to Ibiza is complete without time spent outside the conference itself. The weather couldn’t have been better, the water was crystal clear, and a side trip to Formentera Island turned into one of the real highlights. Picture a long, laid-back lunch at a remote beach restaurant, waves lapping nearby, hard to beat. And yes, Ibiza more than lived up to its reputation for world-class EDM as the team took in some fantastic shows.
Affiliate World Europe – Budapest
If Ibiza offered a unique blend of beach and business, Budapest delivered the full package of a large-scale affiliate marketing event. From logistics to content, everything was well thought out and well-executed. We were thrilled to help drive the content, as our team was involved with a panel presentation called ‘Email Wins: Unleashing Revenue Through the Inbox’. OPTIZMO COO, Tom Wozniak, moderated a great panel discussion among Chelsea Denning from Ignite Media Group, Cari Hartman from Policy Bind, and our own CRO Jake Dearstyne. The session went off without a hitch, and we received a ton of great feedback from attendees. You can definitely expect to see updated versions of this panel at future events! Networking throughout the event was outstanding, with great conversations happening on the exhibit floor, in sessions, and during some of the after-hours events.
Outside the sessions, we kept busy too. We shared a great dinner with our friends at Everflow and Digital Mojito, and our co-hosted party with Everflow was a big success. We have a huge turnout at a perfectly located venue. Thanks to our friends at Everflow for taking on all the heavy lifting to plan the event! As far as parties go, the official Affiliate World party set the bar for ‘official’ conference parties we’ve ever attended. Held in the courtyard of a historic castle, it was packed with attendees and featured some incredible DJs. Our crew had an absolute blast.
Budapest itself left just as strong an impression on our team. The city is beautiful, with stunning architecture, incredible food, and plenty of history around every corner. Wandering through the streets on our last afternoon, the team stumbled across a small beer festival in a park and joined right in. Staying in the historic Párisi Udvar Hotel added an unexpected twist too, as we realized it had been used as a filming location for an Amazon Prime series a few of our folks were watching during the trip. The team also explored the city’s famous ‘ruin bars’, rambling, eclectic venues set in crumbling old buildings, complete with maze-like hallways and wildly mismatched décor. They’re equal parts gritty and charming, and unlike anything you’ll find back home.
So, where to next?
Looking back, the trip was a reminder of why we make time for these events. The panels, networking, and business conversations are always valuable, but the setting adds another layer. From the beaches of Ibiza to the streets of Budapest, we came away with new insights, stronger relationships, and some great stories to tell. Europe set a high bar, and we’re already looking forward to the next adventure overseas next year.
