Now that the date is fixed (Saturday evening, April 24, right?), can we have an approximate location? Downtown, Buckhead, Midtown, near airport, etc.? Any convenient hotel recommendations? What do other out-of-town people plan to do about hotel reservations? (Please make it Starwood.)

It will be near the airport for sure. You've got Hilton, Crowne Plaza, Renaissance, Red Roof, Comfort Inn, Hyatt Place, and Courtyard...all on or around virginia ave. There's some others but I can't think of them now.
Yes, April 24 that evening is the set date.

April 24 is now officially blocked on my calendar to attend the mini-DO.

Small request to all planning to attend, please bring a business card and shove it in my hand with your FT handle printed on it if you feel comfortable doing so as we meet. THIS IS 100% VOLUNTARY AND AT MEMBER PERSONAL LEVELS OF COMFORT. No motives here except to know how to connect with you off-line in the future if we need to follow-up on postings.

Some members from past DOs have volunteered information in the past and it has been helpful to my responsibilities in participating on FT. (Example: if a very specific situation has been posted but we are not able to replicate it, I have been known to ask follow-up questions so that we can get accurate information.)

Looking forward to meeting any that will be attending!

SkyMilesInsider

Bummer I can't make it as I will be out of the country. Have fun all, wish I could meet the famous SMI/NW Scoop 1.0.

I will be in Los Angeles on April 24, so I will not be able to attend.

Although it is not near the airport, I would recommend Prime in Lenox Mall for dinner. That is where we all had dinner last June at the main event, and we already indicated interest in having dinner there again this year. The food and service were excellent, yet the prices are reasonable. Dress in jeans or in a suit or dress; either way is fine.

As April 24 is a Saturday, there should be no traffic problems. The ride from the airport to Prime is 20 minutes at the most.

Too bad you can't make it Canarise! I'll definitly take your recomendation in consideration. Thanks for all that you do.

Ouch, cheapest fare I can find is L through MSP... will make it work somehow though.

Since I think I will be traveling on the 24th and ATL is on the way, I would like zsmith2 to put me down as "interested." I will know more in a week or two.

Done! Hope you can make it.

Wish I could make it, but like Canarsie I will also be in LA. Hmm... LA mini-DO? :)

please add me to this list as well! Thanks!

I'm flying to ONT that night ;)

Please add me to the 'interested' list. Attendance will depend on how things go at the Zurich Classic in NOLA. Thanks zsmith2.

Done!

Def count me in on the 24th. ^

^ Done

...and thank you for all that you are doing.

I first met zsmith2 in person several years ago. For those of you who are attending, you are in good hands.

Thanks for the kind words! I have to say I was still "green" back then but have grown up a little since then. It's amazing that I have grown up with the FT community and with the Delta family. It's truly something that you cannot experience within another industry. ^
Again, Canarsie, thanks for all that you do for the FT community. Also, I'd like to thank all the FTers who have made FT possible and this mini-DO!

You have some nice hotels in walking distance of Prime.
W, Westin (ex Swissotel), Ritz Carlton, Intercontinental and the Mansion. The train goes from the airport to two stops very near the hotels and Lenox. Overnight parking at these hotels is around $30.
Not sure what time you are thinking but steaks at prime are 1/2 off from 5:00 till 6:15 nightly. Also Bistro Niko is good. Plenty of places for drinks after.

Near the airport off of Va Ave is a pretty good hole in the wall sea food place.
though,I would guess that SMI would prefer somewhere other than where he can eat at every day.

Count me in in zsmith2.

Done

I would love to meet many of you in person, but there's no way I can make it on the 24th - I'll be somewhere over the Pacific on a 777 (hopefully with a single digit seat number).

zsmith2 - Nice job organizing this - I must say that you are one of the most useful and helpful citizens in our little FT world.

TFD

Interested
 

I'm interested.

Very jealous! Trip report please!

Thanks...hopefully this will be a success and can do another later during the year.

done ^

I'm a maybe, depending on the fate of the Atlanta Thrashers.

I'll be closer to BUR, but will have car!

April 24, see you at ATL
 

OK,

Now it's official. I am planning to attend. Arriving from the apple, can give a ride on a nice 757 ;)

DLroads

I'm interested. Will be travelling by car from Dunwoody.

Many thanks for arranging it.

Done!

Color me interested...

^

It is to the point that I should be listed as "very interested" and also +1.

Location and times have been updated. Please refer to first post. Please PM me if you are confirmed on going.
Thanks!

Hi,

I'm very interested. Please add me to the list.

Thanks!

Wish I could be there, but I'm in Italy that week.

PM'd zsmith2, but I will be at the SkyClub to meet up with everyone.

Just a friendly bump reminder!

This sounds like a great time, but could you please define what a "Mini-DO" is? Sorry for being ignorant on this one. Thanks!

Ugh, super expensive weekend for some reason. Booked - $500 less $260 in e-certs :(

edit: no exit row seats on the outbound, I sure as heck better get upgraded...

I was (and still am) ignorant as well, but did some searching and found this:

"Do" is a (goofy) term for a gathering of FlyerTalkers. The first one, according to legend, was organized by Catman. Catman-do...I get it...haha.... I much prefer "Meet" or "Thing", but that's just me. Do's come in many flavors: Micro, Mini and Mega are the most often used. Mega-Do is reserved for the largest events, some of which have exceeded 500 in attendance. Micro-Dos could be as small as a foursome for golf.

Sounds like a GREAT idea, count me in, if you can stand an Army guy amonst your presence...:D