_4th Annual Tampa GTG - SAT Report (50+ images) - some visible wrist shots as well ;)

[watchfan1]

It is not easy to describe the atmosphere and the fun we experience at these get-togethers.
It is not about the door prizes, it is not about if we break a new record in attendance every
time we have one of these and believe or nor it is not first and foremost about the watches either.

It is about people - it is about new and old friends. I am very thankful that this hobby
of mine allowed me not only to enjoy a watch or two - but also meet some
wonderful people and make some great friends.

Together with New York City (3x) - this was already our 7th large gathering (Tampa now 4 x)
For those that want to and have the time to participate - these events are not
only the GTGs meetings themselves. We always have a blast the whole weekend (starting to party
on Fridays in Tampa and actually starting in Thursdays in NYC.

Final count:
- 39 people in attendance
- between John Brozek with Qualitytyme.net, Yamron Jewelers, AvantGold, Ball watch USA, Orbita Winders
Henri Stern Watch Agency (Patek Philippe USA) and Rolex Daytona painting posters that
I donated - we had 41 total prizes !!
- Everybody received 5 tickets.......some people that came as couples would win 2, 3 or even 4 prizes,
some would win nothing.....but that's part of the fun ;)

Unbelievably and inexcusably - we forgot to take the traditional table shot of all the watches as well
as the traditional group shot. As there was other party following closely after us (we had the room 3-8)
our raffle drawing went a little longer and we simply ran out of time. This will NOT happen in New York, ...LOL !
After the GTG we had a smaller group of about 8 of us going to another sports bar and as we were taking
a small table picture of 4 watches - we realized in horror that while rushed we forgot about this. After the
GTG and after the Sports bat this long party continued in one another friendly establishment and finally
in 'casa-watchfan1' for final cheers with friends from out of town that were staying with me this weekend

Without going into too many details, I am sure that the pictures are pretty self-explanatory. Enjoy!
































































































































I would like to take this opportunity to thank one more time to all those that made this
great event happen: - All attendees, all gracious sponsors mentioned above that donated the
door prizes as well as the staff and the owners of the establishment that held the event for us.
I would also like to thank Mr. Brian Binnie - BALL watch spekesman who was attending a pilots convention in
Tampa. He was kind enough to stop by our event and meet fellow WIS. Mr. Bennie was a test pilot
for SpaceShipOne, the experimental space-plane developed by Scaled Composites with cooperation with
Richard Branson and Virgin Galactic that flew to space without any public/government support.

I hope to see many of you in NYC at our next big GTG on SAT May 15th.
(Many people from out of town will be arriving on THU - May 13th and as always,
we will stay at the same hotel and again will have a discounted group rate).

If you want to attend and register for NYC GTG on MAY 15th 2010, please E-MAIL ME NOW !!
I already created a new "NYC GTG 2010" folder in my E-mail where all your e-mails will be saved.
I will be creating a NYC-2010 registration page on my non-commercial hobbyist web site soon
and as soon as it is finished you will receive registration instructions and all details via e-mail.

[dardeca]

Looking forward to the pics...sounds like a great time!

[dukester]

Amazing pictures Milos!!! Looks like you guys had lots of fun.....

[dukester]

Forgot to ask.....who is the lucky owner of that beautiful Richard Mille?

[Dan Pierce]

Great pictorial, Milos!! Thanks for letting us tag along.
dP

[Latrodectus]

Very nice GTG! Fantastic pictures...what a party

[Thrasher]

Fantastic pics- Looks like a great time! Very cool of Ball to step up to the plate at a Rolex GTG. I think I'll be getting my brother a Ball to support his work as a conductor with the LIRR. He needs a watch with a lower profile than a Rolex to preclude tempting any would-be thieves.

See you at the NYC GTG.

[watchfan1]

GREAT NEWS .....I am already getting a bunch of people interested in the NYC event.

Guys, PLEASE NO PMs !!

I need you to send me e-mail so I can save it and then let you know via e-mail
when the updates about the registration will be up.

[Speed]

Some user names would be nice...when you have a moment!

[greekbum]

Milos excellent pictures and an excellent time
I look forward to the next Tampa GTG

[watchfan1]

Receiving quite a few PMs about the Daytona Painting Poster.
Here is a close up....signed by the artist that painted it:



PM me any other questions.

[Wolfgang427]

Looks like another great GTC. Thanks Milos for hosting all these great events, your first class all the way.

[watchfan1]

Originally Posted by masugu

Some user names would be nice...when you have a moment!

.....that is not very easy in this case. Please note that ALL GTGs that I have
organized are open to ANY watch fans of ANY watch brands, particpating on
ANY watch forum.

Of course if bunch of us from this forum register to participate at the next one
it will be a lot easier and the user names will actually make more sense,
Thanks for understanding.

[watchfan1]

Originally Posted by greekbum

Milos excellent pictures and an excellent time
I look forward to the next Tampa GTG

Sorry, pal !!

That simply will NOT do.....You are hereby required to show up in NY next may

[watchfan1]

Originally Posted by wolfgang427

Looks like another great GTC. Thanks Milos for hosting all these great events, your first class all the way.

HEY, Old friend !!
Looking fw. to see you next May again !!

[JJ Irani]

Great pics, Milos.....many thanks. I did recognise you and Leo.....the rest, well???

Cheers - JJ

[idk01]

That looked like a night and a half Milos maybe next year I will join you

Thanks for all the photos, many smiling faces and a brilliant night



Dave.

[Colnago]

Milos......not sure if I am the only one but I cannot see a single one of your photo's.....so cheesed off about it.......it's not your fault I know, I am on a machine at work so they probably block the site you pull them from.......woe is me....sounds like you all had a great time.......

[erling]

Great pics. Thanks for all the photos.

It would be great to have the people´s names under some of the pictures.

[swatty]

Great pictorial Milos , looks like a nice gathering

[Ultraman]

Thanks for sharing the pics, Milos!

[TSW]

Look like you had a great time Milos thanks for sharing!!

[PhilM]

What a great time you must of all had... very jealous so thanks for sharing

[dalip]

great pics...looked like a lot of fun...
can't wait to get to one of these and meet some you good people

[kyle L]

Really great pics. I hope I can go in May! I love this pic...

[TSW]

Originally Posted by kyle L

Really great pics. I hope I can go in May! I love this pic...

Hungry Leo?

[idk01]

Originally Posted by kyle L

Really great pics. I hope I can go in May! I love this pic...

I know that look, I get the same look when my meal is one of the last to come out

[meloncap78]

Great photos! It looks like everyone had a wonderful time. I can't wait to attend a get together.


~ Joshua

[theloxmyth]

Thanks for "taking us along," via the snap shots!

[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by watchfan1

GREAT NEWS .....I am already getting a bunch of people interested in the NYC event.

Guys, PLEASE NO PMs !!

I need you to send me e-mail so I can save it and then let you know via e-mail
when the updates about the registration will be up.

Thanks Milos for a great "E - Time" !