A few thoughts in postmortem regarding recent events

[munitalP]

As a caveat, this is not a return to regular posting, nor a plea for kindness, PMs or a witch hunt.

With a number of things in life, some are fair and some are not, some roads straight and some twisted, but one thing I have noticed over time, football fields are level.

I intend to level this one.

After the comments of just a few regarding the events of the mid year Xmas do at the HSP 2 weeks ago, I was left feeling very dejected and I felt violated. I guess one of the worst feelings was spending at least a few hours after the dinner with just about everyone who attended, some close one on one conversations, yet not one person had the decency to complain about the night to me in person, instead they decided to take to the forum and belittle me - even under the guise of comments saying they were not doing so.

I guess the final straw on my donkeys back, was to find the people whom were most vocal at the time and also on the thread had received compensation from the Hilton yet conveniently forgot to mention this in their open forum posts, PMs and emails to me.

On discussion with ADMIN, I have chosen not to name these people, however, feel free to draw your own conclusion as to the agenda if there was one, or to the reasoning, again if there was any.

To everyone else who sent emails and messages to me over this time, although I have not responded to your kind words, I appreciate the thoughts and have decided that instead of an exodus from AFF, I will continue to carry on and will still organize the December event, but with a wariness toward some...

 

[yohy?!]

That is a sad state of affairs to hear about - in my travels i've met 2 types of AFFers, those who are in it for the freebies and those who enjoy sharing the company of others who love to fly.

Don't let it get you down, I'm sure there are many more who appreciate your contributions to the forum.

 

[amaroo]

Good to see you posting again!

 

[v8Statesman]

Glad you're back. When I'm back in the land of milk and honey, will arrange a catchup!


Sent from my Telstra iPhone using the Australian Frequent Flyer application.

 

[samiam]

Well hurry up and get cracking on the December event - don't see a thread started yet

Nice to have you back.

 

[tuapekastar]

Well I'm looking forward to SYD, and pleased you're going to organise it munitalP!

 

[wallacej]

As an outsider that doesnt get to many events, although I have been to a couple, I am surprised that this level of politics exist in this kind of group.

All I can say is welcome back, and keep up your opinions and comments. After all, isnt that what this site is about?

 

[haydensydney]

I will continue to carry on and will still organize the December event

Awesome - I can't wait for that one!

I am surprised that this level of politics exist in this kind of group.

Oh there is certainly politics here on AFF!

 

[cove]

I have enjoyed the Melbourne get together for drinks and a meal run through Melbourne with you and starting from the Crown was very helpful seeing I know very little about Melbourne. When your home town is Perth all we think about is filling the display cabinet with AFL silverware from the MCG.
You have helped us widen our view of Melbourne showing us it is not just a footy head office so thank you munitalP.
By the way I loved the duck!

 

[TonyHancock]

I will continue to carry on and will still organize the December event

Excellent. Travel permitting I'll be there. I have really enjoyed the two AFF Xmas events you and mrs munitalP have organized and am looking forward to catching up with yourselves and many others again.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Nice to hear from you, and I am looking forward to what you have in the planning stages for Sydney.

When organizing events it is really hard to keep everybody happy.

You almost need to have a cap on the numbers to have a better experience, I think the Gold Coast event probably got a little too popular.

When the Flyertalk Ozfest event is organised it is always good to get some prepayment as restaurants want an idea on numbers, and that way there is less of a problem with a credit being held against a credit card.

 

[Lawlass]

I already have my KK gift for the December do

 

[docjames]

Having not been to any events and only met 1 or 2 AFFers (and had a few PM conversations with others - some of whom were individually generous to my travel plans!) it seems there are a wealth of fantastic people on AFF, but the bigger group events (when actual $$ is involved eg. restaurants etc - another eg. the Bossreggie lunch in AKL comes to mind...) can become problematic - especially for the generous organiser(s).

"Free" events (eg. F Lounge runs) dont seem to cause as many issues.


I wonder if smaller is better in this instance?? And upfront payment would have to be a "must" for any future event by my reckoning. Perhaps also a formal "debrief" thread (or continuation) where good and bad points of the event can be aired (for future event planning)?

 

[penegal]

MutinalP, I think my thoughts on this matter were summed up on facebook. However it is good to see that you are sticking around

I look forward to the thread announcing the December Do. Please mark me as Platinum.

 

[QF029]

I have organised a LOT of social events from small to 500+ people so I think I have a reasonable understanding of the effort involved in putting things together. I think the OP needs to accept that you can't please all of the people all of the time. There was nothing in the other thread I considered personal or unreasonable except the OP's response. No doubt he would have preferred to hear this information privately however it seems incongruous to me that it's acceptable to say how fantastic the event was in a public forum but any hint of dissension is not acceptable.

 

[mella2007]

I also have organised events and functions of all types up to 20,000 people crowds +
I would be happy via PM if you need any assistance or even to provide entertainment options for something a bit different.
Never been to an event or met anyone from here or FT, but have enjoyed my time on the forums thus far.

 

[benmay]

I wasn't at the event so I can't comment on that side of things. BUT... in general..

yet not one person had the decency to complain about the night to me in person, instead they decided to take to the forum and belittle me

If I'd been to an event and the catering wasn't what I'd expected or what not, I wouldn't want to ruin the night by complaining about it directly after. Complaining right there and then wouldn't do anything apart from potentially upset (what sounds like was) a great evening.

 

[cove]

Just remember that we should have an "unlucky for ducks" evening later this year. A few drinks in the Crown and a Melbourne duck and dinner run was a very pleasant evening.
Good times and fun company work a treat.

 

[pagingjoan]

Without any intention whatsoever to inflame this situation, could I ask - for those of us who are still mystified by the turn of events - what DID happen? How did the event change from a Salt Restaurant plated meal (wherever it was located) to a buffet style deal?

Perhaps I overlooked something but it is still the missing link in the story for some of us who have been following the thread (wishing we could have been there for the event as it was set up) and the unfolding story afterwards.

I would not have asked earlier but as this is now back in the public arena, it seems reasonable to do so.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Nice to hear you are back munitalP!