Welcome to Havana
On Thursday, 6th September Awin hosted its 12th annual Black Tie gala event, Havana.
The Awin Black Tie is an evening to celebrate the affiliate industry; bringing together peers and colleagues for a night of networking in which old relationships are strengthened and new partnerships are forged. We were delighted to welcome over 500 advertisers, publishers, agencies, influencers and staff to Havana; a night we’re not likely to forget.
Traditionally held in The Brewery, Chiswell St, this year’s event transformed the iconic London venue into a tropical haven with a vibrant mix of Latino and Caribbean inspired colours, characters and entertainment.
Guests arrived at the venue and were immediately immersed in a Cuban street party; the brightly coloured carnival dancer and authentic Havana street scene designs gave hints of what was in store for the event. The party continued inside as guests were welcomed to the Bar Cuba drinks reception shortly before making their way to the Mardi Gras Gala Dinner.
Set against the soundtrack of The Sugar Kings, fine-dining was fused with fiesta vibes, matching the colourful atmosphere of the evening. Ian Charlesworth, Country Manager of Awin UK, officially opened the night by welcoming guests and commending the work of the affiliate industry, particularly in the UK. The soulful tones of the Cuban band played throughout dinner with guests forgoing their dessert, deciding instead to indulge in some salsa dancing.
The next stage of the evening was opened by a procession of drummers, acrobats and samba girls who took to the stage with a pixel poi display, eventually leading guests back to the Bar Cuba afterparty. The Soul Brothers gave a brilliant performance as guests enjoyed the Sparkle Parlour, tequila trike and a game of limbo before everyone ended the night on the dancefloor.
Hear from some of our attendees:
“The Awin party is an annual industry must-attend event and Havana was no exception. You’re always guaranteed a room packed with the movers and shakers from the affiliate industry with plenty of food and free-flowing drinks to help oil the wheels of conversation. Havana was a chance to catch up with old friends and meet new people... I’m already looking forward to Awin’s 2019 black tie event!”- Dominic Baliszewski, Head of New Ventures, Decision Tech
"The Awin Black Tie never fails to raise the bar each year. It is a must for anyone working in affiliate marketing in partnership with Awin - whether you're a publisher, merchant or agency - with great opportunities to make new contacts and catch up with old faces. The Havana theme was spectacular!" - Colin Carter, Director, Weather2Travel.com
The Awin Black Tie is the party of the year and this year was no exception. It’s a great opportunity to mix with your top affiliates in a relaxed atmosphere, and meet new people from the industry. Havana was my 4th Black Tie and maybe even the best yet! Where do I sign up for next year? - Alex Domzalski, Affiliate Marketing Manager, Sky
You can stay up-to-date with the event by using the hashtag #AwinHavana.
For information on the Awin Black Tie or other Awin events please contact uk-events@awin.com.
