I’ve got a nasty cold and that means I’m extra snotty today. Take that whatever way you want.

I’m blaming LinkShare for my headache, runny nose and coughing. That’s because I spent last Wednesday evening and all-day Thursday schmoozing with more than 350 merchants, affiliates and LinkShare folks at the LinkShare Partnership Summit 2006. In addition to the nearly two solid days of imbibing and networking, I firmly believe there was some serious germ spreading.

I’ll do my best to recall the highlights of the LinkShare Summit but at some points it just might be the massive doses of Robitussin doing the talking, er typing.

The event kicked off with a cocktail reception at the plush Fairmont Hotel. I didn’t make it to that party; I was too busy primping for the real soiree. The Revenue Magazine shindig took place just a block from the Fairmont. Our gracious publisher, Nick Smith, held the lovely gathering at his swanky pad that has a nearly unrivaled view of downtown San Francisco (and in a city known for it’s views, that’s saying something).

Based on the great people I met that night, the number of LinkShare Summit attendees with huge hangovers the next morning and some reports of missing items of clothing, I’d call our party a rollicking success.

For me, the Summit provided some great networking opportunities. The opening Town Hall session, moderated by LinkShare VP Steve Denton, offered a little glimpse of LinkShare’s roadmap going forward. Denton was also part of a panel (mostly of legal eagles) that provided some good insights about the risks and rewards of sub networks (more on that in a later/more coherent post).

However, I was a little disappointed in the keynote luncheon speaker, Tim Draper. He’s a big time venture capitalist and I expected something very inspired from him. I thought his talk was generic and not really geared toward the very Net savvy audience. Also, his musical stylings weren’t my speed. Truthfully, I never like Don Henley so I wasn’t too impressed that Draper won (in a silent auction) the chance to pen a ditty that would be sung by the former member of the Eagles. Trust me, Draper’s The Riskmaster ain’t no Dirty Laundry, but then again I never liked that song either. Don’t even get me started on Hotel California.

Let me know what you thought of the event. lisap@revenuetoday.com