Today we have selected Andreas Bischoff Founder of TES Affiliate Conferences.
1. Can you tell us a bit about your background and what led you to start the TES Affiliate Conferences?
My background is in online payments. I used to manage affiliate programs for a large Spanish payment provider, which is where I built up a lot of my international contacts. Later, I co-owned another payment company based in Barcelona. Back in 2009, the affiliate conference scene was very localized. You had gatherings in London mainly for Brits, events in Vienna and Mallorca geared towards German speakers, and another in Amsterdam that attracted mostly American and Dutch attendees. It struck me that there wasn’t a truly pan-European event. It took me a while to realize that my international network, which was pretty unusual back then, put me in a unique position to actually do something about it. So, in June 2009, we launched the first real pan-European affiliate conference, with the simple goal of creating a meeting place for everyone involved in the European online marketplace. Fast forward 16 years, and international networking is the norm. Anyone could theoretically launch a TES now, but we were there first!
2. What is your company’s mission, and how are you working to achieve it?
Our mission is simple: help other companies make money. We achieve this by providing as many networking opportunities as possible. We give attendees a detailed participant list before the conference, so they can plan who to meet. We also have our own “TES Mail” system and utilize the “Whova Mail” system through our event app, plus we organize “Speed Presentations” and our “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 create those connections and make sure the right people find each other.
3. Every company faces hurdles. Can you share a significant challenge you’ve overcome, and what did you learn from it?
Early on, we had a short-term 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, which he generously gave me without hesitation. We paid it back within weeks. That taught me the importance of always keeping a close eye on cash flow, even when things are going well. And, well, it doesn’t hurt to have a multi-millionaire friend you can call in a pinch! Of course, COVID was a huge challenge for the events industry. But thankfully, Walter and I are pretty down-to-earth and had built up a financial cushion, so we were well-prepared to weather the storm.
4. In today’s competitive landscape, how does TES Affiliate Conferences differentiate itself?
Since our Lisbon-Cascais event in February 2024, our attendees have started calling our conferences a “family gathering.” That really sums up what sets us apart. We’ve cultivated a genuine sense of community that people really value.
5. What excites you most about the future of your industry, and how is TES Affiliate Conferences preparing for it?
It’s been an incredible 16-year run with consistent growth. We know that things might change someday, and we need to be prepared for that. But honestly, a more immediate concern is managing potential rapid growth. We want to avoid “luxury problems” like outgrowing venues or lacking sufficient infrastructure in the host city. It’s a good problem to have, but we’re keeping a close eye on it.
6. Can you share any upcoming projects or initiatives you’re particularly passionate about?
Losing our spring venue in Cascais due to renovations has presented a new and exciting challenge: organizing events in Seville (Spring 2025) and Marbella (March 2026)—two cities where we haven’t held large conferences before. 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 new environments.
With the following discount code all AdvertiserReview readers will receive a 10% discount on all their entrance ticket purchases: AdvertiserReview10
