New York City Survival Guide
A practical guide for Affiliate Summit East 2026: where it is, where to stay, how to get into the city, how to handle money and visas, where to eat, and what to do after the conference.
AffiliateConferenceGuide.com review
Affiliate Summit East remains a useful, established U.S. affiliate event, but the New York City setting comes with serious drawbacks. Accommodation and food are often exorbitantly expensive, and almost every restaurant or service interaction seems to expect another 20–25% tip on top.
International attendance is also a weakness. U.S. visa access is getting increasingly difficult for many attendees, and the U.S. entry environment can feel hostile. That makes the event less international than it should be, even though the underlying U.S. affiliate market remains important.
The quick plan
ASE is in Times Square, which is convenient, expensive, crowded, and workable if you plan tightly. Stay walkable, batch meetings, and avoid unnecessary crosstown trips.
Arrive Sunday, July 26 if you have Monday morning meetings. Avoid landing Monday morning unless your schedule is light.
Leave Wednesday, July 29 or later. Tuesday night is useful for dinners and Wednesday is good for follow-up meetings or one proper NYC activity.
Conference tactics
ASE is meetings, side events, lobby collisions, quick intros, exhibitor follow-up, and dinner diplomacy. Treat it like a two-day partnerships sprint.
- Pre-book actual meetings, not vague catch-ups.
- Use 25-minute meeting blocks.
- Reserve at least one group dinner.
- Bring QR contact sharing and a one-page company summary.
- Use an exact meeting point inside the Marriott Marquis.
- Build in elevator time.
- Keep Wednesday light for follow-ups.
- Do not wear new shoes.
Venue basics
The New York Marriott Marquis is in Times Square, which is convenient for meetings but chaotic for food, transport, and hotel pricing.
Being able to walk back to your room between meetings is a real advantage.
Hell’s Kitchen is useful for less chaotic dinners; Bryant Park is better for calmer coffee meetings.
Nearby hotels and booking strategy
For ASE, choose by walking distance and cancellation terms, not just price.
| Hotel | Why it works |
|---|---|
| New York Marriott Marquis | Venue hotel and easiest option. |
| W New York – Times Square | Very close to the venue. |
| Hyatt Centric Times Square | Practical nearby business hotel. |
| The Muse New York | Boutique option close to Times Square. |
Getting there and moving around
All three airports work. LaGuardia is often easiest for domestic flights; JFK and Newark can be better depending on route.
Taxi or rideshare is easiest. Budget option: Q70 bus to subway or LIRR connections.
JFK works via AirTrain and subway or LIRR. Newark works via AirTrain and NJ TRANSIT to Penn Station.
Visa and entry basics
International visitors should check travel.state.gov, ESTA, and airline document requirements early.
City essentials
USD. Cards are widely accepted, but keep cash for tips and backup. Sales tax and tips add materially to costs.
Use normal big-city awareness around Times Square, late-night travel, and airports. Use official taxi lines or app pickups.
Pharmacies, convenience stores, and restaurants vary by location. Always check current hours before relying on late-night service.
Restaurants and meeting spots
Times Square is tourist-heavy, so match the restaurant to the meeting: fast, serious, celebratory, or late.
Old-school Midtown business dinner choice with dependable service.
Things to do after the conference
Do one easy Midtown activity and one thing outside Times Square if you stay after the show.
You are already in the Theater District, so a Broadway show is the easiest after-hours move.
Check Mets or Yankees schedules, Top of the Rock, or SUMMIT One Vanderbilt.
Packing and survival checklist
- Comfortable shoes
- Power bank
- Light layer
- Passport or ID
- Small cash for tips
- Confirm dates and venue
- Check visa or ESTA
- Reserve dinner
- Load OMNY or contactless card
- Save hotel details offline