AFF Gathering #17 in BNE on 18 - 20 October 2024

We're pleased to announce that the 2024 AFF annual gathering will be held in Brisbane, the sunny capital of Queensland!

The weekend of Friday 18 - Sunday 20 October 2024 has been chosen for the event. As per past years, there will be a welcome dinner on the Friday evening, optional activities on Saturday and a main dinner on Saturday evening. There may also be an optional activity on Sunday in the late morning.

All AFF members (and +1's, etc.) are welcome to attend. Most people usually fly in on Friday afternoon and leave on the Sunday afternoon/evening.

Your lead organisers for this year's event are @NM and @QF WP. Other Brisbane-based members are also welcome to volunteer to assist.

We'll update this thread over the coming months with more information about the planned activities, dinner venues and costs, which we expect to be similar to past gatherings. There will be a $5 registration fee per participant, plus the cost of any activities and/or meals that you choose to join.

For now, please feel free to let us know in this thread if you think you'll be able to make it! For those unfamiliar with the AFF terminology:

• "Platinum" means you're planning to attend and have booked flights/accommodation
• "Gold" means you're likely to attend but will need to confirm at a later time
• "Silver" means you're unlikely to attend at this stage.
• "Bronze" means you're unable to attend.

The AFF Leadership Team can provide support in terms of money collection and distribution, and editing this thread as needed. If something needs to be updated, please simply report the post with the update so anyone on the team can action it (starting a conversation only alerts one person).

We're looking forward to seeing you all in Brissie!

 

[QF WP]

Will make payment today. Thank you @NM and @QF WP for all the hard work in organising this. Really looking forward to the weekend.

Not just us on the organising Committee - add our spouses and @Captain Halliday. It was his suggestion that secured Friday night venue (which I went to do the famil and was very impressed).

Saturday night was definite a group effort to select and I did the famil.

I’ve been the conduit for contacting both venues and passing through all the questions we had. Surprising how many parts make up the whole.

@NM organised the buses and Saturday events - that was a big workload.

I was tasked with organising the guest speakers - fortunate that I know people in the aviation industry. Some have met Fridays guest speaker (well no formal speech from him) and I’m the only one to have met Saturdays guest speaker (still waiting for him to confirm).

None of this would be possible with @NM’s IT background - spreadsheets, the invoicing and organising the banking. Again fortunate that we all use the same bank so we have electronic access.

So as you can see, a real team effort with our respective strengths being utilized.

 

[Matt_01]

I am in for the dinner on Fri and Sat. Arrive 18/10, 14:05 QF1930. Depart 20/10 16:35 QF1937

 

[Captain Halliday]

Not just us on the organising Committee - add our spouses and @Captain Halliday. It was his suggestion that secured Friday night venue (which I went to do the famil and was very impressed).

While I appreciate the acknowledgement, my involvement has mostly been thought bubbles.

But I’ve seen enough of what’s been happening behind the scenes to back up the thanks offered by @Scash.

Both @NM and @QF WP have spent many hours on the phone, sending emails, visiting venues and assorted other logistics.

 

[RooFlyer]

and organising the banking.

Speaking of which - is that a new account vs what might have been used in previous years? I didn't have it in my list and certainly would have had it for last year (and I DID check the details very carefully!! )

 

[NM]

Speaking of which - is that a new account vs what might have been used in previous years? I didn't have it in my list and certainly would have had it for last year (and I DID check the details very carefully!! )

Yes, it is a new account established for this event, in a manner that allows the organisers to view the transactions and audited/monitored by another member of the AFF moderation team.

 

[RooFlyer]

Yes, it is a new account established for this event, in a manner that allows the organisers to view the transactions and audited/monitored by another member of the AFF moderation team.

'They' didn't let us near the bank account for last year's event

 

[Matt_01]

Speaking of which - is that a new account vs what might have been used in previous years? I didn't have it in my list and certainly would have had it for last year (and I DID check the details very carefully!! )

I was in the same boat. In my list I now have 2 AFF bank details and another AFFer who I transfer funds to for other catchups, lunches, functions etc. I assume you also know the same person, see you in a couple of weeks.

 

[Sprucegoose]

My husbands (Congewai) jackets will catch their eye.

He must be a live wire!

 

[QF WP]

While I appreciate the acknowledgement, my involvement has mostly been thought bubbles.

But I’ve seen enough of what’s been happening behind the scenes to back up the thanks offered by @Scash.

Both @NM and @QF WP have spent many hours on the phone, sending emails, visiting venues and assorted other logistics.

You are obviously downplaying the hours we spent over late breakfasts in Committee. You are being modest. Hardly though bubbles

 

[JessicaTam]

'They' didn't let us near the bank account for last year's event

It proved too difficult with NAB, hence the new account with a lot more flexibility.

 

[AIRwin]

For those from interstate or out of town and if you are planning on using public transport, Qld has introduced a 50c fare trial from August till November. This excludes the Airtrain to/from the airport which is half price ($10.95).

I just found out that there will be some track closures including Airtrain during the weekend

Major weekend track closure - Northern lines

translink.com.au

DYKWIA QR (that's Queensland Rail)?!

 

[NM]

I just found out that there will be some track closures including Airtrain during the weekend

Major weekend track closure - Northern lines

translink.com.au

DYKWIA QR (that's Queensland Rail)?!

Yep. I was originally thinking we might take the train into the city. getting there Friday will be fine, but returning on Sunday not so fine. Looks like we will just drive in a pay the hotel parking rate for the weekend.

 

[travellingann]

Hi all, I'll be Platinum for the Friday and Saturday dinners (with a +1). Arriving 17th at 7pm on QF1867. First time AFFer, looking forward to meeting everyone!

 

[travellingann]

Friday casual lunch (not a part of the official AFF program but a good way to get to know some early birds):
1 pm at Bird's Nest, West End. I've booked a table for 6 but will monitor this thread and add seats, if needed.

If you have any dietary requirements, please check their menu. If it looks like they don't readily cater for your diet, send me a direct message (conversation) and I'll let them know so they can advise what they can do.

Hi @tdimdad that sounds great! Could you put me and my +1 down as well?

 

[RooFlyer]

Welcome to AFF and the Gathering @travellingann .

 

[NM]

Hi all, I'll be Platinum for the Friday and Saturday dinners (with a +1). Arriving 17th at 7pm on QF1867. First time AFFer, looking forward to meeting everyone!

Welcome aboard @travellingann and travellingann+1. I'll send you an AFF Conversation Message with the payment details for Saturday night dinner.

 

[tdimdad]

I just found out that there will be some track closures including Airtrain during the weekend

Major weekend track closure - Northern lines

translink.com.au

DYKWIA QR (that's Queensland Rail)?!

The list of stations reads like Bowen Hills would be closed but the map looks like it'd be operational. What's the local intel around this, please?

 

[tdimdad]

An "AFF gathering for Dummies" first timer question: any dress code for the Saturday dinner? Or any of the events?

 

[Captain Halliday]

The list of stations reads like Bowen Hills would be closed but the map looks like it'd be operational. What's the local intel around this, please?

Bowen Hills will be open, but trains will not continue north of Bowen Hills.

It’s the rail equivalent of a “hub”. Has a big staff depot, and large rail yard etc.

 

[QF WP]

So it reads that the track closures are from Saturday AM, so anybody arriving on Friday are fine.

On Saturday, termination of any trains heading north on any of those lines will be at Bowen Hills, from which buses will run to drop people at the stations/places nominated.

This is why we have 50C fares at the moment - the upgrade to the CrossCity Rail network is causing issues (but thankfully only on weekends)