AFF Gathers: In Melbourne!! [1-3 August 2008]

[straitman]

From my perspective I'm not sure about the next few month so will try to go to somewhere if something is arranged. Is that vague enough :?:

 

[sr81]

ADL is the only major city that I haven't been on a bender in so that could be fun. HBA would be good but not many direct flights and SYD has been done to death.

Regional towns are also an option but I wouldn't come all the way from Perth just to hang out in Albury-Wadonga.

What about CNS? Some pretty good red-e-deals come up from time to time and plenty of well priced accommodation.

 

[Flashback]

Only issue with CNS (or DRW for that matter, I guess) is that it'll be the wet season, so very humid and uncomfortable.. :shock:

 

[Flashback]

Ok, so whose for ADL?

Fri 28 Nov 08 16:50 Perth 21:10 Adelaide QF584 2h 50m
Sun 30 Nov 08 19:55 Adelaide 21:50 Perth QF599 3h 25m

$398 from PER and only $170 from MEL or $240 from SYD.

 

[anat0l]

Having lived in PER yourself, surely you would know there's absolutely nothing to do

Well, we could get smashed on some of the best wine in the country.

Or you could do that in ADL and save the cross-country fares....and delays.

 

[Keith009]

I did think about PER and ADL.

PER has a vibrant cafe scene and not to mention in close proximity to some of the best wines in the country, and has quite a few resident AFFers who'd *cough* be most happy to put together Gathering 2.

I've never really been to ADL (6 hours spent campaigning on a uni campus doesn't count) however it too is near some great vineyards. OTOH I don't know of any AFFers from ADL (or can't think of any - apols in advanced!!), so organising the weekend from a distance might be hard. Unless someone here is v familiar with the city?

On balance my vote goes to RADelaide as it seems, on balance, the more accessible city for the majority of AFFers.

 

[JohnK]

What's wrong with having an AFF gathering in BNE in November? I have no idea how the Flyertalk AGM in BNE in Feb will conflict with an AFF gathering in BNE in Nov.

If there is enough interest for BNE as a venue for the AFF gathering then November 22-23 would be ideal dates for me....

 

[Flashback]

Flights are booked, so I don't know 'bout the rest of you but I shall be in ADL

 

[Mal]

Flights are booked, so I don't know 'bout the rest of you but I shall be in ADL

Hehe, is that like someone jumping first into the water and thus ensuring others follow?

ADL sounds like a reasonable place, although nightlife and Leet hotels could be an issue. I think I'm back in Australia for the planned dates, but suppose that depends on various other factors.

 

[oz_mark]

Flights are booked, so I don't know 'bout the rest of you but I shall be in ADL

Now how are you going to go via ADL on the way to there?

 

[Flashback]

Now how are you going to go via ADL on the way to there?

I've been very tame with this one, and have done a straight PER-ADL-PER.

And maybe Mal, maybe

I do have a backup plan though, if people don't end up in ADL then I shall catch up with a mate who lives in a very nice scenic place

 

[Bundy Bear]

QF009 thanks for organising the weekend; especially the saturday dinner with the corporate guests Phil from Velocity and Luisa from American Express.

Great to hear the industry view on a number of issues.

Sorry to Phil for my off topic questions.

It was great to catch up with some people I had previously met but it was also pleasing to see new people that share the same interests.

... Finally, I listen too. I heard your complaints that the 10 Private Message storage limit (for non paying members) is too low. Well, it's just been increased to 25.

Yay; good idea, at least some of us don't have to rely on the PM system of the other board to organise get togethers.

For the next AFF meeting; I would again suggest Melbourne; there is nothing wrong with a similar time next year.

Thanks to anat0l for joining me on my Jetstar run to Melbourne.

 

[Will]

Sorry all, Nov 28-30 I will be flying NRT-DEL

 

[oz_mark]

For the next AFF meeting; I would again suggest Melbourne; there is nothing wrong with a similar time next year. .

I think that's the gathering #3

 

[Keith009]

Have made a flexible booking for myself at Hilton Adelaide.

 

[straitman]

For BNE, bear in mind that there is a Meet a Moderator (somewhere between 23-25 Nov) thing happening with FT just before the suggested dates of AFF2. So maybe if you want to do BNE (and have someone to organise) the prior weekend would be better so people could stay over for the Meet The Mod thing.

Of course, you may not want to mix up AFF and FT things in such a way

I support the note above from oz_mark. A few people will be tied up with the FT Meet a Moderator in BNE so why go out in opposition to this :?: Why not work with it :?:

 

[Alanslegal]

zero possibilty of a meet in HNL?

I'll be in HNL, getting there on JQ which cost $290 incl of taxes rtn fares from SYD

 

[straitman]

zero possibilty of a meet in HNL?

I'll be in HNL, getting there on JQ which cost $290 incl of taxes rtn fares from SYD

I'd be interested though probably not in November this year.

 

[JohnK]

I support the note above from oz_mark. A few people will be tied up with the FT Meet a Moderator in BNE so why go out in opposition to this :?: Why not work with it :?:

I didn't realise there was FT meet a moderator on the weekend that I planned to be in BNE. More than likely I would not be able to attend AFF Gathers #2 unless it is held in SYD. Looking forward to see if the stars would be aligned for AFF Gathers #3....

 

[Keith009]

So with everything considered, it's now narrowed down to ADL or BNE. Personally would be more inclined to go to ADL as I've never been there, but I'd go with whatever the majority decides.