1. So, Andreas, what’s your story? How did TES Affiliate Conferences come to life?
Andreas: Well, my background is in online payments. I used to manage affiliate programs for a big Spanish payment provider, which is where I built up a lot of my international connections. Later, I co-owned a payment company based in Barcelona. Back in 2009, I noticed something about the affiliate conference scene—it was super localized. You had events in London for the Brits, gatherings in Vienna and Mallorca for German speakers, and Amsterdam for mostly Americans and Dutch folks. There wasn’t a truly pan-European event.
It took me a while to realize that my international network—which was pretty unique back then—put me in a great position to do something about it. So, in June 2009, we launched the first real pan-European affiliate conference. The goal was simple: create a meeting place for everyone in the European online marketplace. Fast forward 16 years and international networking is the norm. Anyone could start a TES-style event now, but hey, we were the pioneers!
2. What’s the mission behind TES, and how do you make it happen?
Andreas: Our mission is straightforward: help companies make money. We do that by creating as many networking opportunities as possible. Before the conference, we give attendees a detailed list of participants so they can plan who to meet. We’ve also got our own “TES Mail” system and use the “Whova Mail” feature in our event app. Plus, we organize “Speed Presentations” and our famous “Meet Market Madness” sessions.
In just 2.5 hours at the Meet Market, attendees can get a feel for what over 100 companies have to offer. Our job is to make sure the right people connect and that everyone leaves with valuable relationships.
3. Every business hits bumps along the way. What’s a big challenge you’ve faced, and what did you learn from it?
Andreas: Early on, we had a bit of a cash flow hiccup. We had money coming in, but it hadn’t hit the bank yet. I ended up asking a friend for a short-term loan, and thankfully, he came through without hesitation. We paid it back within weeks. That experience taught me to always keep a close eye on cash flow, even when things are going well.
And then, of course, there was COVID. It was a massive challenge for the events industry, but Walter (my co-founder) and I had built up a financial cushion over the years, so we were able to weather the storm.
4. The affiliate conference space is pretty competitive. What makes TES stand out?
Andreas: Since our Lisbon-Cascais event in February 2024, attendees have started calling our conferences a “family gathering.” That really sums it up. We’ve built a genuine sense of community, and people really value that. It’s not just about business—it’s about relationships.
5. What excites you most about the future of the industry, and how is TES preparing for it?
Andreas: It’s been an incredible 16-year run with consistent growth. We know things might change someday, so we’re always preparing for that. But honestly, a more immediate concern is managing potential rapid growth. We want to avoid “luxury problems” like outgrowing venues or running into infrastructure issues in host cities. It’s a good problem to have, but we’re keeping a close eye on it.
6. Any exciting projects or initiatives on the horizon?
Andreas: Absolutely! Losing our spring venue in Cascais due to renovations has actually opened up a new challenge: organizing events in Seville (Spring 2025) and Marbella (March 2026). These are two cities where we haven’t held large conferences before, so it’s like starting fresh in some ways—new venues, entertainment, transport, everything! We’re excited to create two more top-notch TES experiences in these beautiful locations.
Bonus:
For all TheAdCompare readers, use the discount code theadcompare10 to get 10% off your entrance tickets!
Andreas’s passion for creating meaningful connections and his knack for staying ahead of the curve has made TES Affiliate Conferences a standout in the industry. Here’s to many more years of innovation and community-building!
Contact Details:
- Website: https://tesaffiliateconferences.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andreas.bischoff.528
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreasbischoff/
- Skype: andreasbischoff
