From: Diva Las Vegas organizers (dlvorg@geekbabe.com)
Date: Fri Aug 21 2009 - 09:00:33 CDT
In this mailing:
Org List
Ride sharing, etc.
Overall evening strategy of the event
Ride sharing
Various items
Ride sharing
Administrivia
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Org List:
This is the DLV 2010 Organizational Mailing List (dlvorg@geekbabe.com)
Replies to this message will be forwarded to the DLVORG list and not
the DLV-Announce or DLV-Discuss list.
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Ride sharing, etc.:
We have some good comments regarding ride sharing.
One very important ride sharing clarification is below.
Nothing has come in opposing the proposed elimination of
the ride share program. If no objections are made (please
speak up NOW if you have them) by the next list cycle,
I would like to declare this by acclamation.
If you have an objection to either eliminiating the ride
share program, or an objection to declaring such by
acclamation, please speak up now and we'll take a vote.
Otherwise it's about to be considered a Done Deal<tm>. :)
. . . . .
When we clear the floor of the ride share motion, the
next specific order of business will be the concept and
strategy of having some kind of a primary hotel. Some
comments on this appear below.
Two motions are "in the queue" to be raised.
For our strategic planning, let's please focus on the
concept of a primary hotel, and not on any specific
properties which may or may not be considered for such
a primary hotel.
. . . . .
On the topic of hikes and walks ...
As a clarification of who is listed to coordinate what,
Bob/Susan will be coordinating a HIKE in an outdoorsy
setting. Kimberly Kael will be (well, will be considering)
coordinating a WALK after one or more of the lunches in
an urban setting. These activities are not one and the
same. :)
. . . . .
On the latest minor update of the FAQ I added an item
regarding SOs, particularly mentioning the diversity
thereof, and the standing plans for SO activities. The
direct link to the new item is:
http://www.geekbabe.com/cgi-bin/afaq.cgi?d=/dlv/faq&i=2.20
Of course the main FAQ page, which includes this item,
is on line at:
http://www.geekbabe.com/dlv/faq/
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Overall evening strategy of the event:
In working with JoAnn's concept of anchoring the evenings
with feature or "Signature" activities, working in some
of our previous discussion along the lines of our large
group things, and of course thinking of real-world aspects
to our overall event, we're looking at something like this
for our 2010 evening schedule:
Sunday: "Slow-start" smaller activities.
Monday: Large max-attendance opening mixer.
Tuesday: Shows / multi-track.
Wednesday: Limo / second track.
Thursday: NSD / second track.
Friday: Large max-attendance final evening.
We then have two single-track maximum-attendance feature
activities, those being on Monday and Friday; two evenings
of a "signature" activity with one or more alternates, those
being Wednesday and Thursday; and two multi-track evenings,
Sunday and Tuesday.
If you review our conversations over the last few mailings,
we've discussed a slow-start evening (Sunday) beginning
with multiple tracks, converging in a single later-evening
bar type activity.
We've also disussed the last evening beginning with a big
max-attendance happy hour and dinner, then diverging into
dancing at Paris and other activities.
Does anybody see anything here that will not work, or
any compelling reasons to adjust this strategy?
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Ride sharing:
Norma writes:
>The one DLV event that really depends on ride sharing is
>the Night of the Soiled Dove. This could be handled in an
>on-the-spot ad hoc manner at the assembly point for departure.
>All it requires is a notice to those who signed up for that
>event. Something like:
>"Volunteers for ride sharing are needed and will be appreciated."
Thanks, Norma.
We probably need to clarify to all that what we are removing
is the blanket overall ride share lists, which have not worked
well in the past few years.
We're not in any way restricting carpool efforts of the
activity coordinators for such things as NSD, Lake Mead,
side trips, etc.
We're also not in any way trying to discourage anyone with
a vehicle from offering rides to others.
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Various items:
Suzanne writes:
>Good evening. It is late but I thought I would send in
>a few items.
Name tags:
>1. I believe that the name tags have a great value. The
>best way to get the Value out is to attempt to make them
>cool! This will lead to more recognition which in my opinion
>will lead to more "appreciation" for the business dollars
>spent. To accomplish any of this the girls have to be
>"comfortable" wearing them.
I agree, and I think that we're on the right path to doing
just this for 2010.
And again, I ask all. Is there anyone among us who is not
willing to wear an appropriate DLV name tag to the DLV
activities for the overall good of the group?
. . . . .
Restrooms:
>2. Rest room issues. Well coming from a "relative"
>conservative area the problems in Vegas are "Tame"
>Basically it is a COMMON SENSE Issue. I believe that any
>one attending that takes even a little time to read the
>information available on the web site should understand
>how to act! and where to go - when to go - and when and
>where it is best NOT to go.
. . . . .
Central hotel:
>3. The "Central Hotel" is very interesting and will of
>course generate a "Lot of Noise"; but from an outside
>perspective (first year at diva) my "bullet Point Thoughts"
>would be.
> A. The idea has a great deal of value to New people and
> the organization, seeing, meeting, getting to know
> others.
> B. Could generate a way to be appreciated by the
> "establishment" for rooms sold. This always generates
> additional Food, Drink, Show, & gambling $$$. This is
> revenue and Harrahs (Paris) Hilton and other hotels have
> methods of tracking those Dollars.
> C. By having a Central hotel we can get special room rates
> and "Convention Goodies" that the establishment would
> offer to typical main stream groups. This is the Value
> return to the group, even if it is just a coupon for
> discounts or a free drink it is something.
> D. Can reduce the potential Harassment Issues (I know a
> couple of girls that had issues in a parking lot at a
> hotel) We cannot stop "hate" but we can DEVELOPE a
> POSITIVE Value to different establishments. I believe
> that the value this can bring and help develop "Safety"
> and community issues will far outweigh any negatives.
> E. (On a personal note I have stayed at the Paris, Harrah's
> and the Hilton En Fem. I honestly believe that the
> establishments appreciated my business. and even though
> I am not a "Big" gambler Suzane had a lot of Fun and to
> the point for our group the Hilton in the "High Roller"
> room lowered the minimum from $ 100.00 to $ 25.00 per
> hand and Then I was able to use the "Private" Rest rooms
> that are only accessed through that room and each is a
> single Private room. That is GREAT. The Paris Hotel also
> allowed me to gamble at a $ 10.00 table next to their
> "Private" room and they allowed me to use the Private
> rest rooms in the High limit room.
> But as Suzane I ALWAYS look like a Woman, and while I do
> wear short skirts and boots they are not anything a real
> woman would not wear out so I think that these types of
> things can benefit others _IF & WHEN handled in an
> appropriate manor (common sense again). I must say that
> the only way to "unlock" these types of VALUE in my
> opinion is with Sales $$$$$ that can be tracked - that
> leads me back to a central hotel.
> F. The above experience would have an opportunity to benefit
> others through the Central Hotel "set up" because as the
> various individuals walked around and saw me or other
> "Girls" having fun and being treated well; this would
> lead to others asking to or becoming involved - a benefit
> to the group and the establishment.
> G. Also let me say that those that do NOT want to participate
> in a "Central Hotel" would be free to stay where ever they
> wanted too so they would have NOTHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT.
> F. I also think that this could "Assist" in some "Starting"
> point for events like the "Limo Tour" Maybe it would make
> the organization a little easier.
>Well for what it is worth these are my thoughts on the
>"Central Hotel" Issues and POTENTIAL.
Yes, these are some very good points in favor of a central
hotel, and as soon as the floor clears on the current motion
we'll raise two specific motions to address this.
Over the years there have been countless suggestions that we
leverage our potential volume and negotiate special rates at
one or more hotels.
In only one case, that being Nora's negotiation with the St.
Tropez, have we ever actually received a discount over the
rates available to the general public.
In two specific cases (Boardwalk and Riviera), the "special
rates" we were quoted were actually higher than the rates
that any Jo Blow could get on the web or through the hotel's
reservation desk.
If you (or anybody) feel like reading up on those, they are
in the ORG list archives. (Everybody knows where those are,
right?) :)
If you want to do some homework, feel free to contact the
various hotel sales and marketing departments and see what
they are willing to offer. I would suggest that you have
realistic expectations regarding any offers of substance,
since we have "been there, done that" several times.
Please keep in mind that we as a group cannot guarantee
any level of sales or occupancy, and we do not have any
front money to be used for deposits and such.
Another thing to consider is to be realistic when you
give any ballpark estimates on the number of rooms that
you're talking about. Remember that about 20% of our
attendees are local and will not need a hotel. Many of
the others have their own preferred hotels or other
or lodging arrangements, such as condos, timeshares,
etc., and will not take advantage of a primary hotel.
. . . . .
>4. I offered to be a "volunteer" to develop and host a
>"Dinner" at the "Hard Rock Cafe". I believe that this "COULD"
>be a good event for our group.
> a. The food & drink prices are "Reasonable" (not Cheap) But
> they are a good value for the money
> b. The food I have had has always been good and to date I
> have never had a problem as a "Woman" eating or being
> served. At the past Diva I had four dinners at the
> hard Rock in Vegas with group's of "Ladies that varied
> from three (3) to Seven (7). We were always received
> well - the service was good to GREAT. All my guests
> always enjoyed the meal, Service, and we had NO
> Restroom Issues.
> c. The Motto for the hard Rock is "Love ALL Serve ALL" I
> believe that fits our group well.
> d. The hard rock is opening a NEW Restaurant on the Strip
> Downtown across from the main new hotel and Retail
> area. It will be the biggest Hard Rock cafe in the world.
> e. If the group wants to have any additional details or
> information I will be happy to get it for all to "check
> out' I will be in Vegas as Suzane from October 20 through
> the 28 and I will be attending the "Red Dress Event" at
> Amy's Glamour Boutique. I will be seeing many friends and
> have plans to eat at the Hard Rock at least twice during
> my stay. Having said that I can check things out and get
> whatever details you ladies require if you "Allow" me too.
> I would prefer to have some type of Yes - Ok get the facts
> so that no one thinks or can say I went behind the groups
> back - or did something without the "Authority" to do it.
> (sorry some of my business experience) Think it over and
> get back to me. I am NOT saying that I am or would be
> "Obligating" the group; I just want to NOT have any
> problems downstream because They (Hard Rock) do know me
> and I travel to a degree so I do not want anyone to get
> their nose "out of Joint" or have an Issue about a new
> restaurant or some girl from out of town making or
> discussing arrangements.
Thanks, Suzanne. In the next few weeks and months, please
be thinking of the type and scale of what you will be
planning at the HRC. IMAO, the HRC has the potential for
about anything from a smaller Eating Out Night group all
the way to a large single-track max-attendance thing.
(Is the new HRC actually opening this summer as they have
been saying? Will it actually be open next April?)
To answer your concerns about what you can and cannot do
on behalf of the DLV organizers without an explicit OK to
do so, in general, you, as a DLV volunteer may feel free to
contact any potential vendor and discuss just about anything
in anticipation of a DLV activity.
As I said up a few lines as with hotels, don't commit to
any volume of sales. Also, for anything which is medium
to large in scale, don't lock it in until you have checked
with the group here and we've adopted it as part of the
DLV schedule.
DLV actually has a very long track record with Hard Rock
Cafe, going back to our very first year! It can be said
that the SECOND activity in all of our history occurred
at the HRC in 1997. It was on the spur of the moment. One
of the original 5 at the time owned a music store and
wanted to see the place, so we stopped in for a drink. I
don't think anybody even noticed us. :)
Since then we've used HRC off and on for small and medium
gatherings of various types. I used the HRC bar for the
pre-Milanos HH this year, since it's an easy walk between
the two.
The only time we used HRC for a larger activity (ca. 35 or
so, IIRC) we did have complaints along two lines. One was
a lot of grumbling over the limited "party" menu. I might
suggest that you talk to management about the absolute
largest number they are willing to serve from the regular
menu and cap the sign-up there. Limited menus always seem
to generate complaints. Second was the price. IIRC it was
one fixed price for any of the selections offered, and that
made some selections appear pricey.
There was also a restroom issue. They stationed an employee
outside the restroom who acted as "traffic cop" and allowed
either TGs or GGs in, but never both at one time. Nobody
was denied access, but it was somewhat awkward and did draw
attention to the fact that our group was there. (The "cop"
also guessed wrong in a couple of cases!) :) :)
We've also used HRC in Chicago for Pinkfest off and on over
the years.
. . . . .
>Well I believe that about covers my thoughts at this point.
>All my best to all and remember stay safe and be yourself I
>do look forward to meeting more of you and getting to know
>more ladies
Thanks, Suzanne! :)
This is EXACTLY the type of feedback (and enthusiasm!) we
need from our new(er) volunteers.
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Ride sharing:
Mary Beth writes:
>>>I move that we eliminate the ride sharing program.
>>Floor is now open for discussion.
>I also agree that the ride-share needs to be eliminated.
>I don't mind giving someone a lift if we're going to the
>same place at the same time, but a few years ago I felt
>more like a taxi service. By the end of the week I started
>resenting a certain attendee constantly "scheduling" a
>ride to an event. There are plenty of cabs in Vegas. I'll
>no longer be one of them.
Understood. Thanks for the feedback, MB.
If there has been any trend I've noticed over the past
few years, it has been that several regulars who have or
rent vehicles have NOT been placing their names on the
ride share list as volunteer drivers. While I do know a
few cases where incidents prompted this, I think most of
it is just due the the fact that they do not want to have
to continuously plan their daily goings-on around what
others are doing.
Personally, I've not rented a car for the last three
DLVs and I actually enjoy it better that way. The cost
of a couple taxi rides per day comes out less than what
a car rental costs with the taxes and nuisance fees.
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Administrivia:
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Diva Las Vegas 2010
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