The MAC’18 global series of affiliate networking events continues with Kiev Affiliate Conference edition already on the horizon!

On October 3, 2018, hundreds of publishers, advertisers and digital marketing experts of all kinds are gathering in the cradle of Ukraine’s independence – the vibrant and mighty Kiev, to discuss all of the latest industry developments and share some high-clearance insights!

While this type of event is nothing new to the global marketing community, the location may not be as familiar to a lot of the attendees. Since the city is home to many of the ClickDealer team, we took the responsibility to prepare and guide every first-timer through the journey of discovery and productivity at Kiev Affiliate Conference!

So, let’s begin!

HOMEWORK

Getting the most from your time at MAC’18 is impossible without a plan. You don’t have to cram every minute of your schedule, but having a general image of your day will save you both time and money!

Therefore, it helps to list the activities and places you’ll want to engage in or visit and assign each to a free spot in your timetable.

MAC’18’s agenda is full of activities, but since there is so much going on and you can only be at a place at a time, we highly recommend you to define the priorities for the conference upfront and follow your main objectives one by one.

First off, bring enough cash with you, as ATMs can charge you a fortune for the conversion to the local currency.

Exactly how much to bring is entirely up to you, but you do want to consider the current exchange rate of Ukraine’s Hryvna (UAH) in relation to the Dollar ($1 ≈ ₴27), along with some price references:

• Bottled water – $0.5
• Street coffee – $1
• Pack of cigarettes – $1.5
• Drinking in public fee – from a warning up to $3
• Big Mac set – $3.2
• Average dinner bill – $8-15 ($20 and up in elite restaurants)
• Aerial observation flight – $150+ per person

Second, prepare a list of useful phone numbers and travel details you don’t want to start googling in the middle of a taxi ride.

Here are the main emergency numbers in Ukraine:

• 101 – Fire Department
• 102 – Police
• 103 – Ambulance / Municipal First Aid

GETTING AROUND

Once you exit the airport, be it Boryspil International or the Zhuliany airfield, there will be two ways to get to your location: taxi and SKYBUS. While the price of the latter (~ $2.80) easily covers the speed and convenience of the ride, getting a taxi or an uber seems to be the preferred option for most of the visitors.

Popular taxi service numbers:

• Optima taxi: 579
• Absolut taxi: 363
• Panda Taxi: +38044-379-00-79

Important note: It is better NOT to hire a cab off the street, especially those parked near hotels and other popular tourist attractions, since they usually charge 3-5 times more than a regular taxi would.  

Like every big city, Kiev is a victim of frequent traffic fluctuations.  

Every once in a while, the usually spacious streets of downtown get jammed up by huge lines of traffic. Luckily though, rush hour doesn’t last long, and you can easily wait it out while enjoying the city’s majestic architecture in the meantime!

However, if you don’t have the space in your schedule for sightseeing – the subway can save you both time and money! Metro stations are scattered throughout the city (look for an “M” sign) and for as little as ₴8 (around $0.29) it can get you around in a matter of minutes.

Kiev is home to some of the deepest subway stations in the world, with the world record holder located within the city as well. Therefore, don’t be surprised by multiple escalators and lengthy tunnels you may come across and stick to the right side of the stairs to give way for those in a rush.

The only major downside worth mentioning when it comes to the underground is that it often gets flooded with people, and watching your luggage is the #1 safety rule.

Metro stations open at 5:45AM and close at 12PM.

Another option for exploring the city is going by foot. Although Kiev is built on hills and it often takes a few breathers for the uninitiated to get to the next point of interest, this way you will actually grasp the town’s simultaneously antique and modern vibe, adored so much around the world!

You can always rent a bike, but using it as your method of transportation would probably be a poor experience because of the hills and the lack of appropriate infrastructure i.e. dedicated bike lanes.

The rhythm of the city is lively and drivers usually don’t indulge bike riders.

INTERACTION

Getting to know the city is an important part of your trip but we’re still talking business first and entertainment second. With that in mind, effective networking and obtaining knowledge should be your top priority at events like this one.

MAC’ events are gaining popularity so you can expect the expo center to be packed with veteran affiliates, big media owners and leading industry influencers. Whatever category you fit into, there will be enough like-minded pros to connect with and figure out something new.

Exactly how does one approach their would-be partners is a matter of personal preference, and there isn’t a universal approach.

What we do know for sure, is that a good place and a pair of drinks can easily soothe the conversation and place you on the same page, which in Kiev means there’s a whole lot of option to choose from!

In fact, while most of the places you come across in the city will do the job, there are a few clear standouts in terms of location, cuisine and atmosphere.   

So, here are our picks for the best bars, coffee shops and restaurants near the Kiev Affiliate Conference hall:

• Korchma Taras Bulba – best national cuisine & atmosphere

When it comes to food in Ukraine, it is colorful and satisfying, just like the little local restaurant in the heart of the city – Korchma Taras Bulba. The place serves 18 kinds of hand-made vareniki – a national side dish, and has a 36-language menu for travellers from around the world.

Don’t even think about leaving until you try the region’s main course – a rich red Borch, and make sure to have a taste of the local vodka with traditional snacks to have the full experience.

Location: Pushkinskaya St 2-4/7

M: Teatralna, Zoloti Vorota

For those of you who are after something trendier with the national spirit still present, look no further our next pick.

• BARVY – modern Ukrainian restaurant

If the previous option is the color of the country’s cuisine, then BARVY is the glow. Ukrainian food a-la modern is what you can expect to enjoy here, and while some of the dishes may look quite exotic – it’s all great cuisine!

Location: Mechnykova St 3

M: Palatz Sportu

• Puzata Hata  – national bistro chain

Forget flashy fronts and advertisements – this is the place EVERY Ukrainian has eaten at, and will probably stop by again soon enough. The place offers a wide variety of moderately priced meals in a modest cozy setting, with a lot of Ukrainian vibe to it.

Suits both a family dinner and a business lunch!

Location: All around the city

Downtown points: Khreschatyk St 15/4; Baseina St 1/2; Velyka vasylkivska St 40;

• The Blue Cup Coffee Shop – excellent coffee & interior

They may not be growing coffee beans over here in Ukraine, but they sure do know how to brew a good cup of java!  The Blue Cup Coffee Shop is one of the places where you can customize your order to ridiculous extents and just sit there drinking in the atmosphere.

They also do have a number of wonderful sweet treats to complement your cappuccino.

Location: Pushkinska St 5

M: Teatralna, Khreshchatyk

• ONE LOVE Coffee at Pinchuk Art Centre – peculiar location & minimalism

Another great place to get some caffeine in with futuristic interior design and genius-inspired desserts! ONE LOVE Coffee is located on the 6th floor of Pinchuk Art Centre, so you might want to visit the exhibits when you are done with the panoramic coffee break.

Location: Velyka Vasylkivska / Basseynaya str. 1/3-2, PinchukArtCentre, 6th floor

M: Ploshcha Lva Tolstoho, Khreshchatyk

• B-Hush – exceptional view, rooftop lounge bar  

Once you enjoy a lunch and have a cup of coffee, it is high time to grab a drink and lay back, but the sun is setting and you don’t want to miss the magic, so what do you do?

Book yourself a table at B-hush, of course!

This downtown rooftop bar presents you some of the most astounding views of the Kiev skyline, especially at sunset. Make sure to reserve some time for photos – it is really hard to screw up a picture taken from 11th floor open terrace!

Locartion: Velyka Zhytomyrska vul. 2A

M: Independence Square, Poshtova Ploshcha

• Hendrick’s Bar – secrecy & award-winning atmosphere

Here is one more good option when looking for a light buzz and some adventure. This is an absolute favorite among the city residents, offering a wide range of cocktail specialties along with exceptional atmosphere of the Great Depression period in the US.

To get into the bar, go down to the basement of the True Burger Bar and ring the armored door – if there are any spots available – you’ll get in.

Location: Bohdana Khmel’nyts’koho St, 42

M: Zoloti Vorota, Universytet

Now you are ready to get the most of MAC’18 Kiev Affiliate Conference! Remember to grab enough business cards, and don’t forget to stop by Booth D1 to meet our team!

Check out the handy travel vocab below and enjoy your time at the expo!