Mid Year AFF XMAS Drinks and Dinner - 30 June 2012, Hilton Surfers Paradise, QLD

[Deleted member 29185]

Just heard from a mate at Melbourne airport that Qantas's computers are down Australia wide. Hope it doesn't cause too many delays for any of you returning home.

AFF was down for me yesterday arvo which caused a delay in posting my sincere thanks to Mr and Mrs MunitalP for a really enjoyable evening.

It was great to catch up with acquaintances made at previous AFF events and to make a raft of new ones. Sadly, the night passed all too quickly and I didn't get to meet all attendees but I guess there's always next time!

I'd also like to give cedit to those nameless, faceless, voiceless and patient +1s who put up with our days and weeks away from home and our AFF posting when we are there. I can now put names and faces to those generic +1 tags .......I also caught my +1 with a certain other +1 facebooking each other whilst sitting on a lounge side by side in the Fix bar :shock:........silly me thought that was only done by teens!!!!

Here's some other pics........



$20 discount voucher for Eforea day spa. I note a written "AFF" in the bottom corner so I'm assuming this was part of the Hilton offering to us all. Did everyone get one of these? My wife is saving ours for a bit of pampering when her edges start fraying from our "reno" we're doing!




With the day starting off so well, how could the AFF event be anything but a success! Mind you this was my view from bed......I was hoping for a sleep in but forgot to close the curtains the night before......so much for a sleep in, as soon a dawn broke the first rays from the sun smacked me right in the face......





Our newest AFFer and "event sub" helping a couple of AFF "old boys" (figuratively speaking of course ), to chew the ears off our very informative Velocity guest, Andrew.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

And still a few more snaps.........




Two of AFFs finest............................






Maybe the past few months of organisation really did take it's toll :mrgreen:.......




Now did I say previously +1s don't have a voice????????





A few AFFers about to partake in one of Fix Bars renowned mixologists' (Grant Collins) coughtails.....the "Deconstucted Mojitos". I did see at least a few of them at breakfast the next morning, so they did survive!

 

[QF WP]

To munitalP and Mrs munitalP, thank you from both Mrs LW and me, for your stirling efforts, emailing, cajoling, following up [and that's just the sponsors ;D]. This would have been pedestraian without you both.

To those that I met for the first time (in particular TonyHancock and Mrs TH), my wife already wants to catch up with you again. Hail dogs names Lucy

To our mystery guest Mskonfa, just wish we could stop over in TX on our (planned) trip in 3 months - knowing our luck, you'd be away somewhere. Great to see you again when we were checking out - the walk was probably a mite bit chilly, but if that was winter...

To the Exec Floor staff, who were over-run by 35 people and still managed to keep the wine & beer flowing, place cleared of empties.

To Donna and Adam from the Hilton - alerting us to the loss of water and keeping us updated.

To my Kris Kringle - sorry, didn't take a photo, but my wife wanted your bag {she liked the colour and design}, so I had to choose it - you had my wife thinking we were rich (with the Zimbabwe 10 Trillion note). Plenty of travel items for our next USA trip - the empty bottles of the right sizes and the reading light - perfect to read my Sir Richard Branson book!

To Andrew of Virgin for his pre-dinner speech - am I glad I finally saw the light and took up the Status Match offer #2 (on 30 August last year), will re-qual Gold on my next set of flights.

To the Sponsors (CX and QF in particular) - now for my wife to decide whether she wants to put together the A380 model plane or keep it in pristine condition in the box, on my sons' bedroom wall.

 

[Leumas]

Just adding my thanks to munitalP and Mrs munitalP and to many friends old and new. It's a beautiful event at a beautiful location.

Of course, I must also thank the sponsors and Keith for passing.

'Orange 23!' I'll never get tired of hearing those words.

 

[penegal]

Now that my ambient temperature is less than 10 degrees, and AFF is back online, I shall add my list of post-do thank-yous to the thread.


munitalP and Mrs munitalP - Thank you for all your work behind the scenes that made the do happen. I know how hard these events are, and your effort is appreciated.

Andrew from Velocity Frequent Flyer - A big thank you for attending. I admire your patience and professionalism with our 'difficult' questions both individually and in front of the group. I think we are all looking forward to see what the next year or two brings for Virgin Australia.

Mskonfa - A special mention as the guest who travelled the furthest to attend. It was great to meet you. Keep in touch.

anat0l - Thanks for driving hvr, Bundy Bear and myself both ways from Brisbane airport to the do, and back again. It was very much appreciated.

Lindsay Wilson - Thanks for the free beer and your magic with the Hilton


And to everyone else, thanks for showing up. From my point of view, the cast of characters who attend the do are usually the best bit. As always, it was great to re-connect with old members and meet some new ones.

Cheers

 

[penegal]

And finally munitalP - Did you really need to post those photos from the balcony, how embarrassing, haha

 

[Deleted member]

June xmas review cache

Post removed

 

[Deleted member]

Post removed

 

[Katie]

Here's some other pics........


$20 discount voucher for Eforea day spa. I note a written "AFF" in the bottom corner so I'm assuming this was part of the Hilton offering to us all. Did everyone get one of these? My wife is saving ours for a bit of pampering when her edges start fraying from our "reno" we're doing!

Yup, I think we all got one. I appreciated it, but didn't appreciate it that the checkin person gave it to me when I was obviously being very annoying that I wasn't going to oooh and ahhh over getting exactly the room I booked with exaclty the benefits I booked (ocean view 2 bed apartment, with brekky included as it was booked pre-Diamond). I don't mind getting exactly what I book, but don't try to tell me it's special or anything different to what I've booked.
Might give the HSP another chance when there isn't a marathon on the next day ...

 

[Katie]

And finally munitalP - Did you really need to post those photos from the balcony, how embarrassing, haha

I think dfcatch and my photos in particular were awesome! Though I think you mighe be able to see my tonsils ... sorry about that!

 

[Katie]

A big thanks to MunitalP and Mrs MunitalP for the huge amount of effort into organising the dinner, special guest, sponsored prizes, and KK pressies. Thanks a lot for all your hard work, we had a lovely night meeting more AFFers.

 

[munitalP]

Moderation Note: Quoted post removed by OP

I am sorry you feel that way GPH - my forum name is munitalP also as a reminder.

The menu which is on the first post of the tread was the updated menu, as you would have noticed (perhaps you didn't) that it was removed a number of weeks back due to changes in the supply chain. The Salt supplied food served at the exec lounge - I am surprised you found the fresh prawns frozen, deeply surprised. As a point of interest, did you know their antenna or whatever they are called falls off a prawn after it is frozen. I will take the issue up with the Hilton and Luke Mangan straight away.

Everyone is entitled to their thoughts and opinion, and I hope everyone respects that. In the same vein, I would have thought that if you were so critical of what was organised and planned, you would have had the courtesy to mention it to me on the night, and I would have organised a refund for you even if from my own pocket.

If others have similar complaints, I hope they are as forthcoming as you are in your critique of the night.

I hope you enjoy future events with AFF

 

[Deleted member]

my critique was on the food, not the people.
I have met enough AFF people so far for that not to be an issue.
I was not being critical of what was organised and planned.
As stated I was confused about the change in what was organised and planned.

others I spoke with said as much as well.
If the plan was to have a seafood buffet from the start, all that needed to happen was to announce that.
I signed on for a Fine dining experience at Salt , with the possibility of actually having Chef Mangan in the kitchen.

My main question was and remains, "when did it all change"?

 

[munitalP]

my critique was on the food, not the people.
I have met enough AFF people so far for that not to be an issue.
I was not being critical of what was organised and planned.
As stated I was confused about the change in what was organised and planned.

others I spoke with said as much as well.
If the plan was to have a seafood buffet from the start, all that needed to happen was to announce that.
I signed on for a Fine dining experience at Salt , with the possibility of actually having Chef Mangan in the kitchen.

My main question was and remains, "when did it all change"?

I have been biting my tongue here but am about to let go...

Actually, lets throw some perspective on things.

At any stage you were welcome to withdraw your support, you were aware of the buffet BEFORE you entered the dining room, in fact, you were under the impression it was a degaustation menu (where you got that from I will never know) and we (that's you and I) discussed even prior to exec drinks starting - thats a good 2 hours for you to have thrown in the towel.

During the exec loung drinks, you also took a cheap shot at me for taking my time delivering you a couple of luggage tags - did you mention you never had to pay for them - no you didn't as I gave them as a freeby.

Whatever your agenda is GPH, it is skewed, do you think this was some personal gain for me? Yes? I spent countless hours and lots of money setting this up and making it work to have one person on more than one occasion create an undertone of ill feeling - oh yes, I do know about your moaning and groaning about "not knowing what was going on" during the event.

Of however many people in attendance there were GPH, you seem to be the only one who has focused his energy on belittling me in a public way.

Anyone else in attendance on Saturday night would have been upfront and spoken to me on the quiet or by email or by SMS or by phone or by PM on this forum, yet no - you decided to do it in open forum looking for a reaction and you have got it.

 

[Deleted member]

I have been biting my tongue here but am about to let go...

Actually, lets throw some perspective on things.

At any stage you were welcome to withdraw your support, you were aware of the buffet BEFORE you entered the dining room, in fact, you were under the impression it was a degaustation menu (where you got that from I will never know) and we (that's you and I) discussed even prior to exec drinks starting - thats a good 2 hours for you to have thrown in the towel.

During the exec loung drinks, you also took a cheap shot at me for taking my time delivering you a couple of luggage tags - did you mention you never had to pay for them - no you didn't as I gave them as a freeby.

Whatever your agenda is GPH, it is skewed, do you think this was some personal gain for me? Yes? I spent countless hours and lots of money setting this up and making it work to have one person on more than one occasion create an undertone of ill feeling - oh yes, I do know about your moaning and groaning about "not knowing what was going on" during the event.

Of however many people in attendance there were GPH, you seem to be the only one who has focused his energy on belittling me in a public way.

Anyone else in attendance on Saturday night would have been upfront and speak to me on the quiet or by email or by SMS or by phone or by PM on this forum, yet no - you decided to do it in open forum looking for a reaction and you have got it.

In open forum I apolagise if any personal offence or criticisim was given to you.
I have responded via a PM . and I am happy to leave it there.

 

[dfcatch]

Well - it wouldn't be an AFF related function, without me being the last one left in the QF lounge waiting for my delayed CNS flight thanks to QF delays during the day

(unfortunately it wasn't the CL this time).

Finally got home at 1:30 this morning, in time for my 5:00am wake up for work .

Thanks to munitalP for all the great work in organizing the event.

Thanks to everyone for a great time, and i do hope HSP shares the Diamond love some more next time I visit - great hotel

 

[jetlagger]

To all the attendees at the wonderful function.. sadly missed by me..
Looks like you guys & gals had a fantastic time.. My apologies for not getting the inspirational AFF customised lanyards ready in time.. I also - with regret had the inability to attend, as work commitments on the GC had me overly occupied.
The photos were nice to view & the food & drink treats obviously were enjoyed.., with glorious Gold Coast weather to match.
Hope to catch up with some/all of the social beings at the next appropriate function
Cheers jl

 

[Bundy Bear]

Thanks to munitalP and Mrs munitalP for organizing the event.

Great to see so many AFFers in one place, and great to again meet the famous TonyHancock

Thanks to Hilton especially the exec floor staff.

Thanks to Andrew of Virgin for his pre-dinner speech

Thanks to anat0l in providing the transport to and from the Gold Coast.

Great night.

 

[stark]

I had a fantastic night, huge thanks to MunitalP for all his hard work. And thanks to everyone who came along

Looking forward to December!

 

[Storyteller]

June xmas review cache

Thanks to Kim & MunitalP for organizing the event. How many hours went into this, I can't imagine!

Wouldn't be life without a bit of controversy, would it??
I too felt that Hilton / Salt / Luke let me down (please note, not!!! Kim or MunitalP )

Many thanks to the Sponsors as well. I certainly enjoyed catching up with old AFF friends, meeting +1's, meeting new AFF folk.

Looking forward to catching up with everyone again next time. Thanks again.