Qantas Corporate Travel Show: Brisbane 24 July 2013

[samh004]

I had the wrong year!!! Looking at old posts I guess (now see it was 2009).

It's not a bad idea though, I'm sure others would be keen to meet for a drink following the event. I could stick around.

 

[Didicoi Marmie]

It's not a bad idea though, I'm sure others would be keen to meet for a drink following the event. I could stick around.

How is the bar there? I will be in the lobby from 11am for a private meeting, then the Qantas gig - might as well make it a whole day @ Sofitel!

 

[samh004]

How is the bar there? I will be in the lobby from 11am for a private meeting, then the Qantas gig - might as well make it a whole day @ Sofitel!

Last time I was at the Sofitel bar I spent way too much. Perhaps a less pricey bar, but in the general vicinity.

I've started a thread to discuss in more detail.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

Where shall we meet?

Definitely keen to not be on my own

Somewhere haha... I haven't been to the BNE Sofitel before, so I'm not sure where I should suggest! If there's an entrance or a lobby closeby, then I'm sure that could do?

Do you have AFF mobile access?

 

[samh004]

Do you have AFF mobile access?

Indeed I do, paid-up Gold member

 

[ChrisFlyer]

Indeed I do, paid-up Gold member

I'm surprised you still have to pay with that post count!

But as we both have mobile access, we can just PM (or post to the topic) on arrival? I've also invited MissBurrill, and will be trying to find her at the same time haha!

 

[samh004]

I'm surprised you still have to pay with that post count!

I haven't yet worked out when I get to lifetime

Sounds like a good plan.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

I haven't yet worked out when I get to lifetime

14,000?

 

[Skyring]

Got an invite too. Overseas that date though.

The ones I've been to before are casual affairs and worth it only for the lucky door prizes. Otherwise its basically a spam fest. No good deals or anything but still worth investing an hour of your time

Just so.

The Canberra event is mainly aimed at snagging hotel stays and car hires from the public service. Usually domestic, so there's not a real lot of interest for me. It's a kind of borderline marginal thing, really. The chance of a door prize, the free food and drinks - never anything startling, but better than self-abuse - and the little giveaways of pens and pads and mints and stuff.

I go along, check the numbers on the booths, hang around to see if my number wins anything, eat the tucker and drink the coffee. After about ten minutes I've seen everything, smiled back at the people who don't really have anything I want - the American Airlines stall is about as close as anyone comes to scratching my itch - and wished they had some chairs scattered around so I could sit down and read a book while waiting for the tucker.

And when the grub comes out, there's only a few places to eat it. Little standup tables that are quickly overwhelmed and then you've got to find some place to eat one-handed and standing up. Have a drink in your free hand and you are at a standstill.

The Qantas folk circulate, and I guess you could buttonhole one or two if you were bold and/or suitably incensed by whatever enhancement has raised your hackles. But there's no comfy Q and A session - the head guy delivers a canned speech and then hands out the goodies. As soon as the last prize is distributed, all the public servants rush back to their offices.

Gold and above. Geez, that must be half of Canberra.

 

[Deleted member]

Yep it's a corporate travel Show. Aimed at corporates , the bulk of our domestic travel is biz travel so we get an invite.
Was at last years event i will be there again this year.
Nice enough lunch
But no seating

 

[Skyring]

But no seating

I suppose that's deliberate so you have to saunter around the booths and be engaged by the boothfolk in conversation. I generally say that I'm looking for a place to stash a body, and then have a little fun with those who don't get the joke.

 

[MissBurrill]

I'm in town now. Having a snack for breakfast and a glass of wine. Will head to the Sofitel soon.

 

[samh004]

I'm in town now. Having a snack for breakfast and a glass of wine. Will head to the Sofitel soon.

I'm at the Sofitel.

Got my name badge.

 

[MissBurrill]

I'm at the Sofitel.

Got my name badge.

Will head to the Sofitel.

 

[samh004]

Love how the Qantas staff here are wearing their ASIC credentials just like you'd see at an airport.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

Just walking across from QPAC now. Delayed just a tad, as all of the car parks near the bridge were packed. I stumbled upon the South Bank Corp lunch special ($8), so it's not all bad!

 

[samh004]

Okay. Look for two brightest people. Karen in yellow. Sam in red (with orange backpack).

 

[ChrisFlyer]

Will do! I'm wearing 'loud' jeans and a dark polo (carrying a coat).

 

[samh004]

Won a lucky door prize, 2 nights at Airlie Beach. Had a good lunch, few drinks. Picked up loads of swag: QFLink book, caps, pens, USB keys.

Talked to Peter Collyns. Probably helped I was wearing a Lions hoodie. Brought up the ASA issue and he took some notes. He'll get in touch with QF WP soon. I'll be seeing him at the QFM 25th anniversary dinner next month too.

All up, a pretty enjoyable afternoon. Met up with many an AFFer thanks to my wonderful description and bright colours.

 

[MarcB]

Yes - was great to finally put some faces to avatars!