Journal of the Affiliate World Conference Event in Dubai 2023

The Affiliate World Conference, which was Revpanda's second major event of the year, took place in an ideal setting with the company of our CEO, Emre Goktas, and our Head of Content, Barb Tasci.

Admittedly,This trip marked my debut visit to the vibrant city of Dubai.Most of what I knew about Dubai was based on stories from colleagues and friends who had previously seen this incredible city. I was eager to finally witness it myself, and I'm happy to say that Dubai certainly lived up to all the expectations!

My journey was brief, spanning from arriving early on Tuesday morning to departing on Friday morning, giving me roughly three full days. I landed right after midnight, hoping to avoid long waits at the security checkpoint, and fortunately, I breezed through. My next move was to get a taxi to the hotel, and immediately, I noticed the abundance of luxury cars parked all around.

During my three-day stay, I couldn't help but observe that an 'average' vehicle in Dubai seemed to be a white Lexus, with Teslas being a close second.

First Day

The time difference between Dubai and Malta is about three hours, so even when I woke up, I typically had three or four hours before our workday officially began. This free time allowed me to organize my tasks and respond to emails and messages without interruptions. I wished every day could start this way!

Once my last meeting of the day was over, I joined some friends who were also participating in the Expo. Together, we decided to enjoy a meal and explore the Dubai Mall. While wandering around, we got lost a few times, being absolutely captivated by the sheer number of luxurious stores in the mall.

Afterward, we chose to visit Ce La Vi, one of Dubai's exclusive bars. It's hard to put into words the breathtaking view from the top of this building, but I wouldn't recommend it to those who have a fear of heights.

What became clear to us was that drinks are quite a luxury here, as in all of Dubai’s bars, so we weren't surprised to see Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Bentleys parked outside the venue!

Spending my first day in Dubai this way was truly delightful.

Second Day

The true excitement began on our first Expo day. Having already attended the Affiliate World Conference in Bangkok, I had a rough idea of what was in store. The day started slowly, but soon our booth was buzzing with back-to-back meetings. Meanwhile, our team back at the office worked diligently, ensuring that every prospect was contacted mere minutes after our interactions, with all the required information. Revpanda is committed to demonstrating efficiency and effectiveness, even on bustling days like these!

Though the day flew by quickly and was quite exhausting, we opted to visit the docks for the first networking event at Zero Gravity. The area is genuinely captivating, surrounded by colorful skyscrapers and featuring a giant Ferris wheel!

A quick 30-minute journey brought us back to our hotel around midnight, allowing us to recharge for the Expo's final day.

Third Day

The morning and afternoon echoed the previous day’s rhythm, affirming that our participation in the Expo was the right decision as it allowed us to connect with numerous promising leads.

Again, the day moved rapidly. We concluded the two-day Expo with dinner at Shanghai Me, which was simply an outstanding choice! After satisfying our palates, we went for drinks at a nearby bar. With an early flight ahead, I decided to depart early and head back to the hotel to pack my bags before heading to the airport.

Reflecting on the experience, it felt like a whirlwind adventure, lasting only three days in Dubai. However, it was entirely worth it from both an occupational and personal perspective.

On to the next one!