Eric Nagel

Affiliate Summit East in NY is coming up in a few weeks, and there’s a few things you need to know:

Affiliate Summit

• Bring business cards! If you have nice cards, print cheap ones, too, for the network give-aways (fish bowls). Save the nice ones for networking
• Register early. There’s an early registration on Saturday this year (2nd Floor Promenade, 4-8pm), and based on the lines in previous years, I recommend if you’re in the area, take care of this.
• Plan your parties early – know what’s going on, when, and where. Same with the agenda… don’t be sitting in one session, wondering what you’re going to next. If a session sucks, get up & leave. Go to another, or go back to the exhibit hall.
• Hand sanitizer (avoid getting sick!), water, breath mints / spray, etc.
• I’ve never met anyone that doesn’t want to talk at Affiliate Summit. It doesn’t matter if it’s a merchant, network, or affiliate – start a conversation. The more you start, the easier it gets.
• If you haven’t booked your hotel yet, try to stay at the Hilton. If you have an extra 20 minutes, you can run up to your room & drop off all the crap you pick up from the vendors.

New York

• Get confused w/ NY taxis like me? Here’s the scoop:
  

  The trick is in the lights atop the cab. When just the center is lit, highlighting the medallion number, the cab is available. When the medallion number, as well as the side lamps are lit, the cab is off-duty. When no lights are lit, the cab already has a fare they are bringing to a destination.

• If you’re taking the subway (Map), get a MetroCard. I always buy a Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard when I’m in NY ($20 is good – with 15% bonus, you get 10 trips), and sell the unused portion on eBay when I get home.
• JFK – If you’re loaded with money and in a rush, or afraid of trains, pay the $45 flat-fare and get a taxi from JFK to Manhatten. Otherwise, take the AirTrain to Jamaica Center, then transfer to the “E” Train and take it to 7th Ave station. Then walk to the Hilton. Directions
• Central Park is 5 blocks from the Hilton – make it there. The Ed Sullivan Theatre isn’t too far, either. Just take a walk around in the morning – you can sleep on the plane home.
• If you’re looking for a dodgy Rolex, look for a man carrying a suitcase in Battery Park. A simple head nod will get his attention. They go for around $50. While you’re there, take a photo of Lady Liberty.

If you’re going to be at ASE in NY, leave me a comment and let’s get together!