[QLD] OzBargain 15th Birthday - Brisbane Meetup - Saturday 11 Dec at Big Roddy's Rippin' Rib Shack Fortitude Valley at 12pm

Please see the event updates below

Update 2
Update 1

knobbs and I are organising a Brisbane meetup!
Our Brisbane meetup will be at Big Roddy's Rippin' Rib Shack - Fortitude Valley @ 86 McLachlan St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006 from 12pm Saturday (11/12/2021). Reasons to come include:

  • Free meal
  • Free soft drink
  • Win a free OzBargain t-shirt
  • OzBargain Trivia
  • Free Not a Bot virtual badge.
  • Free Meet & Greet with SEQ OzBargain enigmas!

All attendees are required to have an OzBargain account as well as comment and vote below.
Please PM me any dietary restrictions before the event so that we can cater for you.
Please keep your attendance up to date so we can keep the venue organised. It's difficult to plan with no-shows/unexpected guests.

T-Shirts:

  • Put your size request in your RSVP comment.
  • Sizing. See Gildan's site.

FAQ (updated as people ask questions):

Q: Soft drinks are great but can I have a beer/wine/tequila shot?

A: Yes, drinks can be purchased from the bar.

Q: Can family/partners/friends attend?

A: Everyone needs to have an OzBargain account, and comment their attendance below.

Q: Are there any age limits?

A: There is no age limit. However, those under 13 will have to purchase their own meal.

Q: Will there be meetups in other cities?

A: Yes, see meetups below.


For people in other locations, we need your feedback and/or confirmations.

Date Time Location Organiser
Thu 2 Dec 6PM Pamana, Chatswood NSW dust
Mon 6 Dec 5:30PM Seasons Buffet, Gold Coast QLD eman resu
Thu 9 Dec 6PM Red Cow Hotel, Penrit NSW 11
Thu 9 Dec 6PM Fortress Melbourne, VIC neil
Thu 9 Dec 6PM Auckland House, Gladstone QLD PrinceHarry

Annual OzBargain Members Meet up (2021)


Thank you neil for the template.

Poll Options expired

  • 108
    I will be attending - Please make sure to comment too!
  • 79
    I won't be attending but like voting on things

Comments

  • +1

    Size L please!

    • Can't wait to see you there MrMeatballs!

      • Happy OzBargain day!

  • +3

    Update 2

    We're quickly approaching 70 RSVPs. What a fantastic response. Thank you all.

    Our reservation has a maximum capacity of 70 guests.

    From past experience, life happens and even with 70 RSVP's not everybody will be able to make it or get around to adjusting their attendance.

    Rather than close off the poll at 70 I'll be leaving it open but please be aware that if the turnout is larger than expected on the day and we hit 70 members we'll have to turn those late arrivals away. Hopefully, this is not the case but it's important to set the expectation.

    I'm very excited to see you all there!

    • I don't know if you can easily see the order of RSVPs from the poll, but perhaps consider something like 10-15 minutes grace on the day for the first 70 responders, then whatever spots remain can be filled by whoever else turns up.

      • +1

        I thought about this but just want to get guests into the venue as quickly as possible to avoid causing a scene. I’m sure it’ll be fine.

  • Wow free meal! I'm in! XXL FTW.

  • Thanks for organising. Size L, please.

  • Count me in as well thanks! Size L as well

  • Any meetups in other states? This sounds amazing btw

    • +1

      You mean other than what's already listed at the bottom of the main post?

      • no just didn't see it haha thanks

  • Hoping to attend! Size M

  • This sounds great. Count me in shirt M

  • Why not? Medium size please!

  • wow - count is at 70 -
    Keen to go - long time Oz, never made offical meetups (tech presentations like Synology exluded :P )
    following in case changes - or numbers drop off.
    Have revoked my vote at 71 - given venue max is 70.

    • Keep your vote on if you are interested in attending :) the more the merrier. As I mentioned previously it’s unlikely 100% of RSVP’s will attend.

  • Sounds great shirt M I have put it into the diary

  • Thanks for organising, not sure if this is relevant anymore but Size M please :)

  • What a mindblowing Surprise. Ozbargainers in Brizzy. Size L for me plz.

  • Will definitely be there! Size XS (smallest) for me please :D

  • Count me in - XL

  • With bells on - XL

  • Would love to come ! Large men's size tshirt

  • I'm planning to attend. Tshirt size is L

  • I would like to attend!
    Size XL

  • Hi, I'd love to come! Size S

  • Ill be there with Asbindia and my 1 year old… we will need a high chair, should we call them directly?

    • Yeah Ill be there!!

      Tee Size S or XS :)

    • That’d be great if you could thank you.

  • I'll be there, Size L

  • Hopefully not too late to the party! I’d love to drop by and meet the Brissie OzB folks again!

    Size L if still available.

  • Yes…attending…Size M. Thanks.

  • Sounds good, Size L

  • great idea mate, size M

  • Love to be there.
    Size: Small

  • +1

    Not sure if the Gold Coast meet might thin the numbers at all, but if we were looking at a Sunshine Coast / Northern Brisbane meet in addition that might work? Just reading notes suggesting more smaller meets might work better

  • Very late to the party… I’m a small! Great venue choice too guys!

  • I am coming to the celebration. Size 2XL. Cheers…..

  • Thanks for organizing the event. I am coming. Size M please. Thanks. See you………….

  • +1

    Thanks for your effort & PM reminding me to sign up!

    Definitely coming!!
    Only missed 1 since the first ever OzBargain meet up - Brisbane 2012! Suggestion then was to make this an annual Birthday event.

    Size 2XL XL in Gildan (from experience, they run larger)

    • +1

      Gosh it's been almost a decade! From 40 people then, to over 100 RSVPs now…

      • You did a great job kicking off a tradition of annual Ozbargain meet ups👍
        (it just took a few years to take off)

        • Haha yup just re-reading the original thread and being reminded of how slow that event was to get off the ground, but big probs to @scotty for backing it way back when!

          • +2

            @quop: That Post is a nice little time capsule.
            No one knew what to expect, as it was the first.

            Shared it in PM with stickyfingers, when he was planning this meet up. Seemed concerned few would show & what size venue to book.

            Compared with recent meets, it had a good proportion of females. Although the photos seem to show males lined up to chat to them ;-)

            As commented - it looked like an office party. But that was just an aspect of the venue - a room above a pub. Enjoyed meeting other Ozbargainers. A memorable occasion. Thanks!
            (I've spent months organising a festival in Brisbane attended by thousands, & been MC for large parties. Everyone had a great time, but no one says thanks! I appreciate when others do a good job.)

  • I’ll be there, thank you for organising the event guys!

  • Sounds amazing thanks for organising, size L

  • Size S, See you there.

  • I'll be there, Size M please!

  • I'll be there, Size L please! See you there :D

  • Thsnks for organising.
    Edit…prior engagment. Still thanks for organising.

  • I'm keen. 4XL t-shirt.

  • I'm in - Size Medium! Messaging about dietary requirements :)

  • Looking forward to this Party. Size XL please

  • OP, the number of people is getting huge, so there's a risk of disappointment. Perhaps consider including the other Big Roddy location at South Brisbane, and splitting the attendees between the two venues?

    • +1

      The South Brisbane one said they were too small, so was moved to the Valley. Venue holds 70. So that would be the limit.

      Unwieldy to have across 2 venues & much more work for organisers! People may drift between venues. Billing for meet would get complex - Scottie is paying.

      Past meets were much smaller (10-26 members) - good to get to know other OzBargainers.

      2012 meet - 40 booked, some cancelled, 26 turned up.
      2017 meet was about 10.
      2018 meet - 11 booked & most turned up.
      2019 meet - 26 booked & most turned up.
      2020 was cancelled for some reason…

      With free events, sometimes about 50% who say they are going actually attend.

      That was a concern for the organiser stickyfingers… Booking a larger venue but only having a small number attend. That could be embarrassing & a problem for the venue.

      So it's best to arrive early

      • Billing for meet would get complex - Scottie is paying.

        Paying is not the complex part. Just send me the receipts and I will do bank transfer to the organiser. It's more of finding someone who is willing to pull up their hands to organise an event. Must people seem to just want to wait.

        I would rather have multiple 15-20 people smaller meetups than one huge one. It's just much easier to mingle and chat with smaller group.

        • I didn't see any problem with your payment, just pointing out a bill has to be raised. Something attendees may not consider.

          (As an organiser, I've been left with a huge restaurant bill for a meal & alcohol event for many Brisbane artists. Damage was done & a lobster stolen - found it being "liberated"! Artists usually have liquidity problems. Luckily a gallery owner guaranteed payment - just took a while. For some events, legal issues like public liability are a real pain. Since then, I refuse to be backer for events.)

          Splitting between 2 venues (on same day, only a bus ride away) might mean people will attend both venues… & possibly order twice. (This is OzBargain!) But could be avoided with extra planning.

          So much harder on organisers. And if there was any question about bill due to abuse - organisers may unduly worry. Best to keep things simple.

          Small meets have been great in the past in Brissie. So much easier to organise & for organisers to also enjoy (few think about the organisers)! Good for mingling as you say.

          Lets see how this larger one pans out. How many turn up.
          Unlike small events - talk of needing "crowd control" (seems that's at least me - have organised or MC events that up to thousands attend).

          Then maybe split into smaller events next time. If people want to help organise it.

          • +2

            @Rather be Travelling: Yeah I must say the larger group is scaring us a little, logistics wise (controlling the crowd, how will people over the cap take not being let in and such) haha. The 2019 was a great small group to get around and chat to people, but I am sure the same can be had at a larger one you just won't get to everyone. Still greatly looking forward to the meetup Saturday week and can't thank the Ozb team enough for the opportunity to get together.

            • +2

              @knobbs: Yes, larger numbers weren't the issue of concern when stickyfingers first planned this.
              It was uncertainty of enough people attending & what venue would be suitable.

              Good you put your hand up to also organise👍

              As suggested by stickyfingers, am available for "crowd control" based on organisers decisions. Have an unofficial black OzBargain t-shirt! Just send a PM.


              Larger groups tend to break into smaller groups (e.g. those at their table), as we do based on our interests here.
              But it's then harder to get those groups to mingle. It's harder for organisers to break groups once they establish. Maybe a "speed dating" approach would work!

              Suggest attendees to wear at event - their username on sticker or badge.
              Would make processing at door easier & open conversations. Few are good at remembering names & may not mingle because of that.

              Running seminars, I kept numbers below 30 & had each write their name on a white coffee mug. Less usual than nametags & better accepted.
              Had the advantage that I could see their name in front of them, others saw their name at breaks when they had a drink from "their own" mug, and less mugs used so less cleaning up!

              I lectured to hundreds of students per class at uni, but felt very isolated in front of the crowd. There were regulations to enforce (keep fire access clear, etc) that was not necessary with small groups. And I got to know few, unlike teaching groups around 20-25.


              Was so much easier with few wanting or available to attend previous meets! And good to meet fellow OzBargainers.

            • @knobbs: Updated my comment above with additional thoughts.
              Hope you get to enjoy the meet!

  • Thanks for organising the event!
    Size XL please

  • Thank you for organising the event. I would like size M please :)

  • +4

    It was too late for me to organise prizes for this event like I have in previous years for Sydney. Perhaps next year I'll do a tour around the country to all the meetups? The last few years I'm probably the only who has travelled interstate for them.

    • Oh we like prizes!
      Still have over a week.
      Am sure it would be appreciated!!

      • +1

        GeekBuying have provided prizes for the last few meetups. Not enough time to ship from China.

        • Especially not with slow shipping this year!
          Even delivery from within Oz would be difficult.

          Thanks for the thought.
          Hope to see you next year!

          • @Rather be Travelling: Surprisingly shipping is quite quick at the moment. GeekBuying priority shipping is about 2-3 weeks currently and half of my AliExpress orders from the 11th arrived last week.

  • I would never pass up on a free meal L

  • size S please

  • Keen to come along.. Thanks! - Size is large

  • Man this event is huge. I think it's the covid tiredness that's why everyone wants to go out now. Been 2 years! lol

  • Sorry all! won't be able to attend the event since I'm in Sydney and omicron is spreading here. Hope you guys have fun

  • Hi OP
    I'm keen to attend if there are cancellations. I'm a size XL shirt

    Don't like my chances but anyway, see how we go!

    • +1

      You’re welcome to attend :)

      • +1

        Awesome! Thanks. Added to calendar

  • So does it mean if you signed up its a first come first served basis? Space is not guaranteed for the first 70 that signed up?

    • Correct, otherwise I would have to wait until the first 70 who RSVP’d show which might never happen.

      • +1

        That could end up with some disappointments. Can we do the $5 fee just like with the Melbourne meet up to guarantee a spot?

        • I'm probably going to stay home this year as I'm late to the thread, but it could be interesting to see how this works out.

        • +2

          We could but I didn't expect a response like this so I didn't worry about it originally.

          To implement it now would be too difficult to notify everybody and could lead to some members showing without having reserved a spot which wouldn't be fair to those who did. It also leaves over $100 in Eventbrite fees (even once you refund a ticket you still have to pay the fee).

          The last Perth meetup I held had 46 RSVPs. 20 users showed, hence why I'm not stressed we'll blow out capacity.

  • This will be my first meetup! Size M please!

  • +4
    • Will be only a true ozbargainer if you catch the free bus there!

  • I’ll come along too if that is ok :)

    Size M

  • Keenness levels rising!

    Count me in - Size L

  • XL please

  • Will also try my luck getting in!

  • Excited but one question if you could sticky. My little bros brithday is that Saturday, how late do you reckon the Meetup will run? Should be in around 4 ish PM

    • I’m sure some might move onto the pub but the main event will have wrapped up before then.

      Post in the comments here when you finish to see if anybody is around.

  • Can't make it due to sick kid, have changed vote in poll, have fun everyone

  • I have to cancel and give my spot to others, have fun everyone!

  • Plenty of spots still available! Don’t forget parking for downstairs is validated!

    See you all there!

    • +1

      Yeah I am on my way. Thanks guys

    • +1

      15 mins away

    • Where is parking btw?

      • +1

        Downstairs underground. It’s a Secure P I think.

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