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!

 

[AIRwin]

Ok. So the delays start

View attachment 412406

Fly CBR-BNE direct?

 

[Ade]

Fly CBR-BNE direct?

That’s what I’m thinking to do. At work until 1700h. So hoping to finish early and get the direct. Fingers crossed.

 

[serfty]

Another Brissy photo ..

 

[Hvr]

QF616 has landed in BNE

 

[AIRwin]

Another Brissy photo ..

View attachment 412420

I'm just outside the frame

 

[NM]

QF616 has landed in BNE

Its all happening ... And AFF17 is being prepared for take-off

 

[NM]

I checked with the guest for tomorrow night and he's raring to come. He may have met some of you at a previous FT function that he attended many years ago.

A little bit of his (mostly aviation) background to titillate those coming tomorrow night for dinner:

Spent almost 15 years with BA, then 8 years with QF in a multitude or sales and management roles in Victoria, Tasmania and then Qld. He then got a massive promotion to QF HQ in Mascot as Head of Global Sales, QF Freight. He left there and had a bit of a break before continuing in the aviation industry as GM Cargo for Swissport Aust & NZ. A year trying a new tack in Chamber of Commerce & Industry here in Qld had him yearning for the aviation industry again. His last role was a contract with Bonza until June 2024.

He'll be circulating at drinks and then he and I will be spending time at each of the tables around dinner.

And do note that we have two special guests coming tonight (Friday night dinner). Some will also know the other special guest and some will have the opportunity to meet them for the first time. QF WP and I have known this special guest for many years and they have a wealth of knowledge about FF programs travel and on-line forums. Please give a special welcome to .... oh wait, its a surprise, you'll have to wait until tonight to find out.

 

[patrickw]

Off to Julius Pizzeria for lunch

 

[Dantas]

He can come for drinks at 6pm at The Laneway (some people are likely to arrive a little late), and we can verify numbers for dinner then, as the dinner section of the venue can only accommodate 60 people and we have 60 confirmed for dinner at this time.

If anyone is expecting to arrive late (e.g, @Dantas as posted above) please let us know so we hold your place for you. Or if you are a last minute cancellation for dinner, please let us know so we release your spot for someone else (wait-list is active).

Delayed again so now 8.30pm arrival into BNE. And each time they move my connecting flight I move back a row. Went from 1A to 2D, now 3D!

So better take me off tonight's dinner list - make sure you choose a suitable replacement for me

 

[NM]

Delayed again so now 8.30pm arrival into BNE. And each time they move my connecting flight I move back a row. Went from 1A to 2D, now 3D!

So better take me off tonight's dinner list - make sure you choose a suitable replacement for me

You will be missed, but looking forward to having you at the other weekend events

 

[DejaBrew]

Finally landed! Roll on dinner

 

[Ade]

That’s what I’m thinking to do. At work until 1700h. So hoping to finish early and get the direct. Fingers crossed.

Got into the first available direct CBR-BNE. Yayy !!

 

[tdimdad]

Lunch was great! Looking forward now to the dinner tonight.

We had the gang of seven, though QPProl went back to the office before the photo. How boring...

Travel, destination and point accumulation/ usage experiences and tips shared, worth a couple of RTW's already.

 

[RooFlyer]

Landed BNE, quick sprint to the passenger pick up curb and thanks to Juddles, the transport legend, I'm going to make my appointment.

 

[Larko1]

Just bumped into @serfty in BNE biz lounge & asked to express my best wishes to all AFF’ers for a great w’end️

 

[Mr_Orange]

I'm heading to the Pig N Whistle shortly for post-work Friday drinks and then will mosey on over to the Chu the Phat for 6pm.

 

[kileskus]

Flights out of MEL grounded, I'm going to miss my connection to BNE. It was a business classic flight reward so not super optimistic there'll be another J seat to rebook onto. Qantas lounge is packed and some healthy amounts of alcohol being imbibed

 

[jumpjam]

Made it to hotel

 

[AIRwin]

I'm heading to the Pig N Whistle shortly for post-work Friday drinks and then will mosey on over to the Chu the Phat for 6pm.

Same here - Oktobeerfest Happy Hour work drinks

 

[bPeteb]

I'm just outside the frame

we're right in the middle, kind of