FlexOffers represented the future of partner marketing at four industry events in March: SXSW 2026, DealMaker Europe 2026, CJ Travel Afternoon, and Affiliate Takeover 2026. The FlexOffers team met with industry leaders, formed key connections, and learned why partnerships still matter in an age of AI-driven search and discovery.
DealMaker Europe 2026, CJ Travel Afternoon Prove Partnerships Matter as AI Disrupts the Industry
FlexOffers’ Director of European Markets Louise Lanorias was in London at DealMaker Europe 2026 and CJ Travel Afternoon in March, speaking with partner marketing leaders about how AI is disrupting and transforming the industry.
One theme carried across the conferences: AI is moving fast in partner marketing, but discipline and human expertise still matter.
The focus has shifted from simply building tools to solving genuine issues, especially in reporting, analysis, and decision support. Strategy is still human centered, and partnerships play a crucial role.
FlexOffers found that travel brands are committing to a full-funnel model, where discovery, engagement, and conversion all carry weight.
With market research showing travelers visit around 277 different webpages before booking, value no longer sits in last-click moments. Advertisers are targeting the full customer journey, and this shift is raising the bar on measurement.
Advertisers want clear incrementality, stronger visibility, and proof tied to outcomes, not just traffic. Personalization and partnerships are advancing in parallel, with better targeting and timing driven by deeper data and collaboration.
Meanwhile, content remains key. Trusted, experience-led content supports consumer decision-making in an AI-influenced path.
The takeaways from DealMaker Europe and CJ Travel Afternoon were clear. The marketing partners who structure data, adapt content for AI search and discovery, and operate across the full funnel are the ones positioned to capture what comes next in partner marketing.
SXSW 2026 Delivers Meaningful Partner Opportunities
FlexOffers was on-site at SXSW 2026 as Director of Client Relationships John Nardolilli met with creators, publishers, and media in Austin, Texas.
One standout session with Glenn Kramon, Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times editor, focused on how to cut through the noise when doing cold outreach, balancing authority with authenticity.
Karmon shared a powerful anecdote about finding your audience’s “Bryce Love” to build stronger connections. It was a reminder that meaningful outreach starts with understanding your customer and what matters most to them.
Overall, SXSW delivered a host of partnership and learning opportunities for the FlexOffers team and industry partners. Director Steven Spielberg even stopped by an event to preview a new project and remind everyone why SXSW always delivers the unexpected.
Affiliate Takeover 2026 Brings Together Familiar Faces Across Brands, Publishers, Creators, and Media
Juan Gomez, Senior Director of Affiliate Marketing, represented FlexOffers at Affiliate Takeover 2026 in Miami, Florida.
The conference brought together more than 1,500 publishers, creators, media, advertisers, and agencies for two days of strategic, high-level conversations and events.
Juan had quality one-on-ones with industry leaders including partners from GiddyUp, as he showcased how FlexOffers stands at the forefront of partnership marketing.
FlexOffers Events to Look Out for in April 2026
The FlexOffers team will attend several industry events in April, including Sellers Summit in Fort Lauderdale; POSSIBLE 2026 in Miami; and Bitcoin 2026 in Las Vegas.
To connect with FlexOffers at these events or explore future partnerships, reach out to a member of the team.