I’ve been meaning to write about my time at the Affiliate Takeover Conference in Barcelona for a while now.
It was the first edition of this conference, and I honestly hadn’t planned to attend. But after hearing how many people I met at Affiliate Expo Milan would be there, I got a serious case of FOMO. One day before the event I grabbed my ticket and flew over. Best last-minute decision of the year!
Why Affiliate Takeover Stood Out
First off, the theme: white hat offers and ecommerce.
Let’s be real, affiliate marketing still has a bit of a reputation problem. For some, it’s all phishing, pushy tactics, and shady supplements. But this conference was the exact opposite. It shone a spotlight on the partnership-based, ethical side of affiliate marketing.
Affiliate marketing done right is about trust and collaboration. It’s about how brands and media buyers work together to create win-win campaigns. And this event really brought that forward.
So, this event brought light to the best part of our industry. The serious, high-integrity, data-driven side of affiliate marketing.
Accessibility and Respect for Affiliates
The ticket pricing was reasonable, which matters. Yes, it was still a premium event, but there were smart offers and discounts (marketers know how to market!).
What I appreciated most? Affiliates were treated with respect. And that matters. Too often, we forget they’re the real engine behind these events.
Brands want leads. Affiliates bring them. Give them a good deal and treat them well.
As someone who also runs a product used by many affiliate media buyers, I always say: Treat affiliates well, they are the reason events like this exist in the first place.
Great People, Great Vibes
The brands present? Super solid.
- GiddyUp was one of the main sponsors, and I had the chance to attend one of their private events. Great people, great company culture, and a CEO who’s down to earth and accessible.
- ClickBank—a name many of our users know and trust. It was amazing to connect with Kyle in person (yes, we got him on the podcast!), and see Eve and Mychal again. Felt more like catching up with old friends.
- MGID? Super friendly crew.
- My fellow Romanians from MaxWeb and BuyGoods? Warm, supportive, and always a joy to meet.
And some others like Kayzen, Snapchat, Taboola, Outbrain… great traffic sources!
I went alone (no team with me this time), and yes, I was a bit nervous. The introvert in me was like “what am I doing here alone?“
But… I felt so connected. Honestly, this was the first event where I truly felt at home.
Intimate, Focused, and High-Quality
It wasn’t a huge expo. No massive halls or hundreds of booths.
Instead, it felt curated. More quality than quantity.
I saw Jonathan and Darcy, and so many familiar faces. It felt like a gathering of people who really care about this industry, not just numbers and booths.
Oh, and a quick note to Alex Micol: amazing job! Even though you dodged my interview invite… I’ll be chasing you for an online interview soon. 😉
The speakers were top-notch. Every session I peeked into was packed, literally standing-room only. No fluff. No empty talks. Just real value. (Ezra Firestone is a force of nature!)
Final Thoughts
Would I go again? 100%.
And no, this isn’t a sponsored review or paid promo. It’s just me, saying: if someone is doing good work in this industry, they deserve recognition.
We’re all building this ecosystem together, so when someone raises the bar, we should celebrate it.
Affiliate Takeover (#ATO25) did just that. Looking forward for #ATO26.
Next year there will be another edition of Affiliate Takeover in Miami in March 2026. So, if you are in the US and want to not miss out on this event, this is the right opportunity to join it!
Why This Event Matters for Affiliate Marketers
The Affiliate Takeover Conference in Barcelona is quickly becoming a must-attend event for media buyers, affiliate marketers, and ecommerce partners focused on white hat affiliate marketing, ecommerce offers, and sustainable performance strategies.
This event helps shift the narrative around affiliate marketing by highlighting legitimate, scalable strategies. If you’re looking for actionable insights, quality networking, and a community of pros committed to playing the long game, Affiliate Takeover should be on your 2026 calendar.
Key topics that made this event stand out:
- Ethical affiliate marketing partnerships
- White hat ecommerce traffic sources
- Real conversations between brands and media buyers
- Affiliate conferences with value-driven pricing
We are trying to attend as many events as possible, but here is a list where you can meet CPV Lab team.
Author: Julia Draghici
Julia is the CEO of CPV Lab and CPV One ad trackers. She has 15+ years experience in the software industry, from development to management. For more than 7 years she is helping marketers get the best out of their marketing campaigns by using a performant ad tracker. Passionate about entrepreneurship, business and performance marketing, Julia loves helping people!
