AFF Gathering #18 in MEL on 21-23 November 2025

Save the date! We're thrilled to reveal that the 2025 AFF annual member gathering will be in Melbourne from 21-23 November 2025.

There's still almost a year until this event, so we're still finalising the details. But you an expect that there will be a welcome dinner on Friday evening, a more formal dinner with a guest speaker on Saturday evening, and optional activities on the Saturday and/or Sunday.

All AFF members and their friends & family are welcome to attend. Most people usually fly into the host city on Friday afternoon, and leave on Sunday afternoon/evening. Of course, if you're a Melbourne local, the flying part is optional.

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 in line with previous gatherings. (E.g. you can read about the 2024 Brisbane gathering here, or the 2023 Launceston gathering here.)

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 your attendance is confirmed and you 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 entire AFF team looks forward to seeing you next November in Melbourne!

 

[AFF Editor]

This post is a placeholder for the gathering schedule and will be updated later.

 

[AFF Editor]

This post is reserved for the attendees list:

Attendees

Username	Arrival date/time	Arr Flight #	Accommodation	Departure date/time	Dep Flight #

 

[Dantas]

Gold!

 

[AIRwin]

Gold - reflecting my soft landing in my new membership year

 

[Doug_Westcott]

Platinum at this stage. As a local no fights are required - will advise accommodation details nearer the date.

 

[RooFlyer]

Granted the organisation has only just begun and as long way off but can you give any hints about likely localities for dinner etc? Central CBD, fringe CBD, anything? Will obviously influence accommodation choices. Happy to cancel and change at a later date if organisation firms up somewhere else but wouldn’t mind locking in something now.

 

[Hvr]

I'm also Platinum. Another local with a Myki card.

 

[Mattg]

I'm Platinum for this

Granted the organisation has only just begun and as long way off but can you give any hints about likely localities for dinner etc? Central CBD, fringe CBD, anything? Will obviously influence accommodation choices. Happy to cancel and change at a later date if organisation firms up somewhere else but wouldn’t mind locking in something now.

There's probably a good chance the dinners will be in or close to the CBD.

I'm personally looking at voco Melbourne for accommodation, but it's probably a bit too early to book just yet.

 

[Bjet]

Silver for me… as difficult for me to decide which event I am going to!

 

[zig]

Gold for me.

 

[RB001]

Solid gold.

 

[blackcat20]

Gold. We may be able to attend dinner if we line up a sitter early enough.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Gold (+1) is the plan - kudos to the organisers

 

[JessicaTam]

Platinum for me.

 

[RooFlyer]

Platinum, Pullman on the Park so far.

Mantra100 is available for Accor Plus for $4,000 night.

 

[RB001]

Mantra100 is available for Accor Plus for $4,000 night.

Stay an extra night either side, and it's express to Diamond!

 

[LinaLee]

Platinum for me.

 

[samh004]

Bronze - will be seeing RÜFÜS on the Saturday night in Sydney.

 

[rainbowgirl]

Gold for me.

Those dates fall right into the middle of silly season for family and school events but I'll make an effort to keep the weekend free. I'm very interested in knowing what the day events are going to be.