6th Annual London Presidents (US) Weekend Do: February 15-18, 2008
Was talking to tom911 the other day & he asked if the Annual London Presidents Weekend Do was on in '08, given the exchange rate. I replied yes; in my case it's happening thanks to Marriott & United airline awards.
History
Feb '03 was the first-ever FT event I attended. I was going to London for my Annual Birthday/Presidents Weekend (Prez Weekend ia 3-day bank holiday in America) get-away, and noticed that there was a London Do that weekend organized by wingnut. Having really only discovered/started reading FT threads the month before, I was quite excited about meeting some other people who travelled.
I remember arriving at Wagamama's a bit nervous about meeting other FTers, and the hostess saying - 'oh you're with the group that doesn't know each other'. LOL... Not quite so nervous after that.
I had the pleasure that night of meeting wingnut, sweetwillie & mrssweetwillie (aka judi), letiole, techgirl, lala, amongst others, and a tradition was born.
It's also a nice weekend to start racking up re-qualification of status on airlines/hotels & take advantage of cheaper winter airfares.
Date: Feb 15-18, 2008
Location: London England
Happenings:
FRIDAY, FEB 15th
Day free for shopping, museums, sleeping, etc, for those who are in town. Those flying to the UK that night will eat, drink & be merry on the planes.
Options for those who want to grab a bite to eat,here are other 'FT-recommended' options for Friday that are within 5 minutes walk of ABO. Cafe LaZeez (anyone who was at London MegaDo 2006, this was the Sat night place); Marsala Zone (I like Cafe LZ better, but MZ has been a FT staple); Pizza Express (no they don't just serve pizza & they actually have decent wine); Wagamama's (if by chance it doesn't get chosen for Sat). Busabi eathai (Thai; similar to Waga's) & Y Ming (Chinese).
SATURDAY, FEB 16th
Day open to sleep in, go to museums, shopping, restaurants, matinee theatre.
4:00-6:00pmish Ye Grapes Pub in Shepherds Market (5-minute walk from Green Park tube stop on the Picadilly line)
For those still in London, day open to sleep in, go to museums, shopping, restaurants, pubs, bars, afternoon tea, etc. Possibly meet up for lunch, drinks, and/or dinner.
Birthday flowers, bottles of champagne or wine, United SWUs, CR1s & RCC drink chits can be left w/ the concierge at my hotel to deliver
Attending:
* SkiAdcock; arr 2/15 (2/14 UA934 dep); dep 2/19 (UA935); Grosvenor House
* wingnut (local; Fri at AllBarOne; maybe YeGrapes on Sat)
* GK + Sean (Friday night); Hilton Trafalgar
* GadgetFreak; arr 2/16 (2/15 AA dep from IAD); dep noon 2/18 (AA to NYC); Hilton Euston
* EFrem; arr 2/14; dep 2/19
* chalf (Sat)
* GregL+1; arr 2/15 (2/14 AA98 from ORD dep); dep Sun eve; Novotel St. Pancras
* Kthy Wdrf; arr 2/16 (2/15 UA954 dep); dep 2/18 (UA931); Hilton Park Lane (Sat) & Hoxton (Sun)
* treadsoftly (Fri & Sat drinks)
* studio76 (drinks on Friday)
* KRS; arrive 2/15 (SK4627); dep 2/17 (LX317); Holiday Inn - Regents Park
* ozstamps+MargoOz (Fri night only); Sheraton Skyline LHR
* connex2me (Fri night only)
* pcoll52 & mrspcoll52 (Sat); arr 2/16 (2/15 dep on UA934)
* UAL (Sat dinner)
* fozz; arr 2/16 (UA 934 dep 2/15); dep 2/18 UA959; Grosvenor House
* gavin-h (Fri)
* Poker Professor; Holiday Inn - Regents Park
* pennyblack1840 (Fri)
* FrankVB; semi-local; some part of the weekend
* chris78cpr (Fri)
* taxdude+1 (Sat night)
Will update the thread as people respond & as the weekend gets closer.
Cheers.
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Sharon
Last edited by SkiAdcock; Feb 14, 08 at 6:05 am..
Reason: update list of possible attendees...
Sounds good, Sharon! I had a schedule conflict last year, but would love to make it this year, especially since I'll have to pick up on both my flying and travel to qualify for EXP and 1K. Please put me down as a maybe. I would probably get in on Friday morning and leave on Sunday.
Sounds good, Sharon! I had a schedule conflict last year, but would love to make it this year, especially since I'll have to pick up on both my flying and travel to qualify for EXP and 1K. Please put me down as a maybe. I would probably get in on Friday morning and leave on Sunday.
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA Plat (2.85MM) and BA Silver (OW Sapphire)
Posts: 16,675
Will try to find a business excuse to be there, as in 2007! I could use a pub-and-Luigi's fix. Put me down as a possible for now. I'll start working on it.
(Hope to see you earlier, if your business situation lets you get to Florida later this month. My crystal ball says it will.)
Moderator: CommunityBuzz!, OMNI, OMNI/PR, and OMNI/Games & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: ORD (MDW stinks)
Programs: UAMM, AA Plat, A/Plat IHG, Hyatt Plat, CC Gold
Posts: 19,246
Quote:
Originally Posted by SkiAdcock
I remember arriving at Wagamama's a bit nervous about meeting other FTers, and the hostess saying - 'oh you're with the group that doesn't know each other'. LOL...
that was a nice time for sure. We already have booked upgraded air/hotel for Palm Springs during this weekend. London doesn't quite have the temps that Mrs Sweet Willie is looking for Have fun all, London is a great town.
Programs: UA 1K 1.6 MM, Starwood Platinum, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,831
Hi, Sharon! Thanks for getting the ball rolling again. I should be able to attend, "God willin' and the creek don't rise". Please put me down as an enthusiastic maybe.
Programs: AA EXP/3MM, UA 1P, Hyatt DIA, SPG PLT, 2.5 time FT Fantasy Football champ and FT general member.
Posts: 10,743
I've enjoyed these in the past, but alas, we wrap up a major tradeshow that week and I'll be spending a couple of days at home, sleeping in, before the 18 hour days in the warehouse start the following week.
I hope you guys have fun!
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TMOliver:I consider Camp Bowie to rank among the world's best streets.It ain't the Ramblas or 5th Ave, but will do for me.
