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!
Gathering schedule - details will be updated as confirmed:
Friday 18th October: Evening Drinks and Dinner
Venue:Chu the Phat, 111 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane (alternate entry via Fish Lane)
Getting there: Its about a 12 minute easy walk over the Victoria Bridge from the top of the Queen St Mall (Corner Queen and George Streets). Note Uber or Taxi must route via William Jolley (Grey Street) Bridge as Victoria Bridge is a busway and pedestrian bridge only.
Pre-dinner drinks: Meet at the Melbourne Crosslink Laneway @ Chu the Phat at 6pm. The Laneway will be closed/dedicated for our AFF Private Function with our own private bar where attendees can purchase their own drinks and get to know your fellow AFF Gathering #17 cohort.
Dinner: Migrate to the Mezzanine dining area around 7:15pm for dinner. The Chu the Phat Banquet #1 is offered and can accommodate specific dietary requirements. Please identify dietary requirements so we can make the venue aware. If dietary requirements cannot be accommodated within the Banquet #1 menu, the al la carte menu via QR code will be available. Note they can accommodate vegan, vegetarian and gluten friendly options within the banquet - just confirm your requirements with the wait staff when confirming the banquet option.
Cost: Its up to you! No pre-payment required for Friday night drinks/dinner. Pay for your own drinks and dinner on the night. The banquet dinner menu is $60 per person.
There will be a few special guests joining us to mingle and chat about their experience in various aspects of aviation and travel. See who you can spot, who you might recognise and meet new people. This will be an informal event with minimal official business conducted, so make the most of the freedom to meet and greet your fellow AFF members.
For those who want to kick on after dinner, there are plenty of bars and other nightlife in the area (Fish Lane and wider South Brisbane prcinct). But be aware of the departure times for the Saturday events!
For those for whom the journey is the travel priority.
Depart Sebel Hotel by coach at 08:30
Arrive Queensland Air Museum, Caloundra, approx. 10:00. Museum entry included in AFF cost.
The museum is known for their aircraft restoration and conservation work and a large number of static displays of historically significant aircraft.
Optional Boeing 737-800 Flight Simulator experience. Groups of three participants will undertake a group introduction/briefing session, followed by each participant “flying” a circuit departing and arriving BNE, with 10-12 mins flying time each.
Each group session takes around 1 hour in total
We can accommodate four groups for a total of 12 Flight Sim experience opportunities (All slots allocated, wait-listing available)
$40 cost per Flight Sim participant
Slots will be reserved by sending a Conversation Message to @NM and will be prioritised by the time stamp on the conversation message sent
Pre-payment is required at least 2 weeks before the event.
A wait-list is being maintained for Simulator slots now all 12 available slots are allocated.
Enjoy directed/guided tour of the museum exhibits by one of the museums hosts, or feel free to wander the exhibits at your own leisure.
A “Picnic” lunch will be provided by AFF. This will consist of a Subway Platter or similar plus soft drinks and water. Please let us know of any dietary requirements so suitable options can be arranged.
Depart Qld Air Museum at 14:00 and head to Ocean View Estates Winery for tasting “Wine Flights” in the courtyard at 15:00.
Wine Flights consist of tastings of five different wines produced on-site at the winery. You will select from one of four “flights”. See page 2 of the drinks menu for Wine Flights description (one small flight included in cost).
Flight of White
Flight of Red
Flight of Sweet
Flight of Favourites
Depart Ocean View Estates Winery around 16:00 to return to Brisbane around 17:00.
Cost: $115, including transport, museum entry, lunch and Wine Flight, plus $40 for those booking the Flight Simulator Experience.
Payment required by 10th October via bank transfer (details provided directly to registered participants)
To reserve your spot for Experience A, send a Conversation Message to @NM, including if you wish to participate in the Boeing 737-800 Flight Simulate Group Experience, and with any dietary considerations for lunch. Post #3 below will be updated with you experience selection.
Note two spots remain for this event
Note Flight Simulator slots are all filled
Experience B: Wine, Arts and Crafts Experience(Capped at 40 participants)
For those for whom the destination is the travel priority.
Enjoy the dedicated winery Behinds the Scenes Tour for our AFF participants, including tour lead by the wine-maker describing the process and science behind wine-making, answering questions, wine tasting and grazing platter.
Depart Ocean View Estates Windery around 12:00 for historic Montville in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
You will be dropped off right in the heart of Montville’s arts, crafts and dining strip, on Main Street, where you can explore the museums, galleries, shops and restaurants/cafes.
If the Ocean View Estates wine tasting and grazing platter did not totally fulfill your pre-dinner nourishment capacity, visit one of several restaurants or cafes for a full lunch or a light afternoon tea (remember we have the main dinner event later in the evening).
Re-join the coach for the ride back to Brisbane around 15:30 to arrive back in the CBD around 17:00 with time to prepare for the AFF Gathering Dinner.
Cost: $135. Cost includes transport and "Behind The Scenes Winery Tour" with wine tasting and grazing platter.
Payment required by 10th October via bank transfer (details provided directly to registered participants)
To reserve your spot for Experience B, send a Conversation Message to @NM. Post #3 below will be updated with you experience selection.
Saturday 19th October (Evening) AFF Gathering #17 Event Dinner
Venue: George Williams Hotel, 317-325 George Street, Brisbane (between Anne and Turbot Streets)
Woodcraft Room Getting there: Its a 3 minute walk from the top of the Queen St Mall Pre-dinner drinks: Arrive 6:30pm and receive a complimentary sparking wine, beer or soft drink and then order your choice of drinks from the bar. Pay as you go.
AFF Gathering #17 Official Welcome and introduction of special guests
Dinner:
Entrée (assortment of the following, provided as share plates per table):
Pumpkin Arancini served with herbed aioli
Meatballs – pork meatballs in spicy tomato sauce, served with grilled sourdough
Prosciutto Bruschetta – with lemon ricotta, cherry tomatoes, dukkah, and balsamic glaze
Salt & Pepper Calamari served with aioli
Alternate Drop Main Options:
Ribeye fillet steak with roasted kipfler potatoes topped with chorizo crumb, a side of greens, and gravy.
Salmon with cauliflower puree, greens, and salsa verde.
Please advise any special dietary requirements at least 1 week before the event to ensure timely communication with the restaurant providing the catering. Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free, etc. can be catered as required
Throughout the evening there will be some fun interactive activities and some highly desirable prizes. There will be plenty of opportunity to mix and share with your fellow AFF members and some aviation/travel industry gurus.
Cost: $85 per attendee, plus your purchased drinks
We have tried to keep this event as cost affordable as possible, while ensuing it is a worthy AFF Gathering Event Dinner.
Sunday 20th October:
Lots of suggestions for self-arranged Brisbane-based activities for attendees to undertake, including: E-scooter/bike hire to explore City Botanic Gardens, Gardens Point (QUT), Southbank etc.
Discover the hidden secrets of your heritage-listed City Hall building with a guided tour of Brisbane's iconic Clock Tower.
www.museumofbrisbane.com.au
Bookings are open. These have a maximum of 7 per ¼ hour tour. Booking is free. To do a group thing try booking the 11am tour or just before. After this you could then look to join those doing Citycat.
To book, select "More Options" to get an availability Calendar, choose Sunday 20th, then select the time, select CONFIRM, select TICKETS and pick the number required before proceeding.
Clock Tower Tour important information:
- Please ensure you arrive at Museum of Brisbane reception 15 minutes prior to your tour start time.
- All participants including children and infants need a valid ticket.
- 12 yo or under need to be accompanied by an adult.
- No backpacks, large bags, or helmets | Lockers available at Museum entrance.
- Museum of Brisbane reserves the right to cancel tours at short notice due to unforeseen circumstances such as severe weather conditions or maintenance.
There’s no better way to explore Brisbane than via the city’s iconic river which winds its way through the heart of the Queensland capital. This guide will show you how to navigate Brisbane by CityCat.
Climb Brisbane’s most iconic structure. It's one of the best things to do in Brisbane is climbing the Story Bridge. Best Price Guaranteed! Book your Story Bridge Adventure Climb today.
storybridgeadventureclimb.com.au
(Note tickets can be purchased online from several outlets, some which provide QFF points and may also be valid for CashRewards or similar cash-back offers)
Goldish I will be in Chicago the week before so not sure if I will be back in time, but good its mentioned now so I can keep it in mind when DSC comes along.
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Just Craven a good catch up 
