![planning.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmdqZMdCUkGNiE6eEvp9grNf3TzTfUdxWDddGvYntVCJ5L/planning.jpg)

<div class="pull-left">https://steemitimages.com/DQmUDqFmFv751rQiCZDfHiGRRNT93WHpnAhFvCAA48SfWnw/planning1.jpg</div>

# Whose idea was this anyway?

Many moons ago we decided to allow children to take a break from school. Everyone knows about Christmas break, summer break, and various holidays in between. 

There is one in particular that most adults do not benefit from, well there are many actually, but I am referring to one in particular.

<center> ***Children in the States refer to this time off as Spring Break.*** </center>

Well, some folks in Florida, namely @isaria and witness @swelker101, thought this would be a good time to visit their in-laws in Florida, or so they claim. 

> Let me tell you the truth! 

<br>

## <center> THE TRUTH! </center>

<br>

<center>https://steemitimages.com/DQmRAok8Yu7PiAbdWv153ocsvk2KjM8ScB8UCz3c7WuuPCq/12.gif</center>

<div class="pull-right">https://steemitimages.com/DQmeLTF6bydsqwaRKu6DGti1tLZegcKvWUGaQxAJWfsbVDK/kooby.jpg</div>

<br>

# <center>Likely story, but here is the truth?</center>

<br>
In reality, they knew their favorite ***KUBBY*** lived in sunny side Florida and they ~~needed~~ should visit me. Obviously, several caught wind of this rumor and decided to tag along. 

Everyone wrote about the trip. Now there is their version, my version, and the truth! Check out the wild stories below! 

<center> http://i.imgur.com/ljX2D3z.png </center>

<div class="pull-left">https://steemitimages.com/DQmY5riwbpJEmmqzJnd4NaBvDCD7Sy6fBeXHT31fSX5jXDz/shane.jpg</div>

## <center> Isaria version. </center>

[Florida Steemit Meetup! // Part 1](https://steemit.com/minnowsupport/@isaria/florida-steemit-meetup-part-1)  
[Florida Steemit Meetup! // Part 2 (Includes Cheezits)](https://steemit.com/minnowsupport/@isaria/florida-steemit-meetup-part-2-includes-cheezits)

## <center> Anarcho-andrei version</center>
[Road Trip and Steemit Meet-Up!](https://steemit.com/travel/@anarcho-andrei/road-trip-and-steemit-meet-up)

## <center> Negativer version </center>
[Steemit Meetup - South Florida 2018 :: Part 1 :: (Spoiler: Nobody Dies....Yet)](https://steemit.com/community/@negativer/steemit-meetup-south-florida-2018-part-1-spoiler-nobody-dies-yet)
[Steemit Meetup - South Florida 2018 :: Part 2 :: (Food, Singing, and Rollercoasters)](https://steemit.com/travel/@negativer/steemit-meetup-south-florida-2018-part-2-food-singing-and-rollercoasters)


<center> http://i.imgur.com/ljX2D3z.png </center>

 <div class="pull-right">https://steemitimages.com/DQmZ8QLNCpPPQG2mP8bsdjZgRJvZiCc2nnAM5VvkthVEaai/threeladies.jpg</div>

## <center> My picture story! </center>
[Pictures are worth a trip to Florida!](https://steemit.com/life/@kubbyelizabeth/pictures-are-worth-a-trip-to-florida) This post has words and pictures. [Florida Pre-Meetup: South Beach with Choogirl.](https://steemit.com/life/@kubbyelizabeth/florida-pre-meetup-south-beach-with-choogirl)

## <center> choogirl version</center>
 
[The International MSP Florida Meet-up Part 1: Kubby and choo's excellent adventure](https://steemit.com/teamaustralia/@choogirl/the-international-msp-florida-meet-up-part-1-kubby-and-choo-s-excellent-adventure)
[The International MSP Florida Meet-up Part 2: Steemians gone wild!](https://steemit.com/teamaustralia/@choogirl/the-international-msp-florida-meet-up-part-2-steemians-gone-wild)

> <center> Truth is relative. </center>

@choogirl from Pamana decided to make a mini vacation out this trip. She used to live in Miami and decided she would like to spend some time there before the official meet up. She booked a hotel and I joined her for a mini girls’ getaway. The beloved @lenadr joined us a couple of days later. Clayboyn, Crimmy, Aggy, my favorite neighbors from the north, Meno, and even @anarcho-andrei showed up! 

http://i.imgur.com/Pbcbf48.png 
<center>https://steemitimages.com/DQmZGB5NUCeonhjrvXyQxEWbQD5aD4PyY2t7TAd8Ecr8esW/groupdelray.jpg</center>

# <center> [Florida meetup. When are you coming?](https://steemit.com/life/@kubbyelizabeth/florida-meet-up-when-are-you-coming-82fb3ac33e58a#@wholeself-in/re-kubbyelizabeth-florida-meet-up-when-are-you-coming-82fb3ac33e58a-20180318t185855676z) </center>

<br>

 <div class="pull-right">https://steemitimages.com/DQmPkEyg2b7BnuudJ52BpaKokx47MGWYYi1TRq1BKRnnA2N/question%20meme.jpg</div>

When I made this post, I was surprised and grateful to find so many Floridians I haven't met yet. I was determined to make the most of this meetup. Many couldn't make it, some almost made it, others had plans before knowing about the meetup. For those that couldn't make it, I know we will all meet very soon. For those that could, I know we will all meetup again soon. 

There were a few that could come. All at different times, to different airports, with various forms of accommodations. There was one flying in from Miami, four from Fort Lauderdale, and one from Palm Beach Airport. Each were staying in different locations except for two. Three were driving down, one was a vegan and a few were a vegetarian.

* I wanted to have people over for dinner on Friday. 
* There was a parade and party to attend Saturday.

 If this sounds like a logistical nightmare, it was until I wiped out my notebook. I wrote it all down. I might have gotten all the times mixed up, but no furry was left behind. Everyone was picked up, dropped off, and had a pillow. Some even battled it out for hugs and pillows, but let's not jump ahead. 

# <center> The planning </center>

 <div class="pull-left">https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/363882426570899456/425849514071556097/image.jpg</div>

We meet up to discuss some final details. The plan was to go with the flow, eat, drink, and be merry. Being that Neg and Moro were both driving up to Orlando with me for a day in Universal Studios, we wanted to make sure everyone had a ride and a place to sleep. 

> Thank you so much to @geke for providing us with tickets into the park. We missed having you there and are beyond grateful for your generosity! 

Once all the ducks were in a row, I just waited until the day. I might have been a little too excited. I showed up eight hours before Choogirl arrived. 

<br>
![wide minnow.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmQgCXwKHNjKXJJ5vsnBAzU5wb4uPNK8fAAwfHRdb93hdM/wide%20minnow.jpg)

<br>

<div class="pull-left">https://steemitimages.com/DQmWUzzbqUbPA9PdtDkMARsRwm8wpNsF7QLPzGUrpKC2B1W/pants.jpg</div>

This post was suppose to be posted first, but I mixed up my post schedule and now I am posting them backgrounds. The list of post above talks about our adventure and now there is only one questions to answer.

### Would you do it again?

It wasn't very challenging keeping everyone clothed. When I saw this in Orlando, I immediately thought of all my pantless friends on discord. Fear not my friends, I have found your pantalones. I would love to have another meetup. I would probably ask for help planning it a little better. I didn't want to plan an event for each day. I wanted to have a general idea of what we were doing while also leaving room for last minute adventures. 


<div class="pull-right">https://steemitimages.com/DQmQdm8xoihUjAa3zWUrf6PG2vYLQDGhJPjGVzcrErcpbFc/minnow.jpg</div>

<br> 
## <center>We meetup and we learn</center>

<br>
I think overall everyone had a blast and didn't have too high of expectations for the trip. This I believe is the secret of success. Hope for the best, expect the worst, and be flexible at whatever happens. If you are thinking about hosting a meetup there are a few things to consider.  

> Guest list, location, and you! 

## Guest List

It helps to have chatted with people before randomly hosting a meetup. Most people are more likely to show up, if they have some sort of relationship with you. 

Everyone that came to the Florida meetup I had a relationship with. We had engaged in each others post, in discord, and worked on projects together. Not to say, a meet up of strangers with no previous engagement can't work. It's possible and potentially very awkward. 

## Location

Everyone was invited to my home. Had I not known my guest, I would have picked a more public place.  Most people enjoy happy hour, coffee shops, or a sit down restaurant. Again, it all depends how well you know the people you are inviting.

<div class="pull-left">https://steemitimages.com/DQmR4x968TNk57sgUMYQWrrtosibwWzTCUYo6vjrj38kPhr/minnow1.jpg</div> 

 Keep in mind, not everyone drinks, everyone has different diets, and not everyone is comfortable in social gatherings. 

## Show up

If you are invited to a meet up, if you say you are going to attend, then make sure you show up. Keep in mind, everyone is probably feeling a little uneasy or nervous. Everyone is probably a little excited too. The event is not only about you, so be kind, be flexible, and be yourself. If you are hosting, remember to have low expectations. If you are attending, make sure to remember this isn't about you. 

I think you will be surprised how wonderful steemit friends are in person. I like them a lot! Well, most of them. :)

Have you hosted a meetup before? What was your experience like? Would you do it again? If you haven't hosted a meetup, but what to, what is keeping you from doing it?




<center>https://steemitimages.com/DQmURRSbhv1cPkEmStgq9pKXtQ1LzrquZ9XMRLi58Rirftn/lovealwaysbyaleister.gif</center>