From: Diva Las Vegas organizers (dlvorg@geekbabe.com)
Date: Wed Sep 22 2010 - 08:11:26 CDT
In this mailing:
Org List
JoAnn Sez
Date discussion
DLV 2011 Limo Tour
Update
Administrivia
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Org List:
This is the DLV 2011 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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JoAnn Sez:
Appreciate all of you who have responded to the dates and shared your
thoughts regarding the various proposed dates. Thanks.
Also I agree with Annie it is time to get some feedback from a general
mailing. It helps the Org Group have a "fuller understanding" of the
issues and needs for their decision making.
At the same time, I waiting to hear from more of the Event Coordinators
regarding the proposed dates. What say you'all.
JoAnn
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Date discussion:
Beverly writes:
Thanks to all who are doing so much to make DLV2011 happen. I
am looking forward to attending my second event next year.
My thoughts on the date for the event are as follows:
My first choice would be the week starting on Easter Sunday. I
can get away then much easier then missing Mother's Day.
April 11 - 14 is the week of the National Association of
Broadcasters (NAB) convention. That is a large convention
pulling in around 100,000 attendees. Hotel rates are high
during that week so it would be best to avoid it.
I personally like a later start date (late April/May instead
of March) because the weather is warmer. Coming from Iowa
during that time of year I look forward to getting warm! I
would much rather be wearing sundresses than sweaters and
coats. Also, being a golfer, golf is better when it's warmer
because my balls fly further (couldn't avoid that one).
Thanks again and keep up the great work. I am looking forward
to seeing everyone next year.
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Sarah writes:
I'll add my 1 cent here.
Although I am flexible in scheduling, my wife has doctors
and others who change her plans (and thereby mine) seemingly
at random. If I have to choose dates, I'll rank them here.
Monday, April 25 thru Saturday April 30
Sunday, April 3 thru Friday, April 8
Sunday, March 27 thru Friday, April 1
Monday, May 9 thru Saturday, May 14th
Sunday, March 20 thru Friday March 25
I'll usually find a way to get a few days in regardless of
when it gets scheduled, so pick and choose as best meets the
common good.
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Annie writes:
>It is also 'ok' to let us know you are ready to vote and wish
>to move on to programming.
If the discussion has indeed extinguished, yes, then we should
move things along, but if we have meaningful discussion, as
we have the past two weeks, I don't think we should cut it off
early. I would prefer that we do things "right", as opposed to
"right now!"
Let's review our timetable for date selection ...
>August 15 Announce possible DIVA dates for 2001
>August 16 - September 30 Discussion on the possible dates
>October 3 Announce the voting date slate for Diva 2011
>October 4 - 15 Discussion on the voting slate
>October 16 - 31 Trick or Treat --- voting closes on Halloween [31st]
>November 5 Announce the DIVA Week dates.
We're right on schedule, if not slightly ahead. However, I
don't see a need for urgency in shortcutting the process.
I seriously doubt if anyone's hotel rates are going to
skyrocket or anybody's flight is going to sell out in the
next few weeks!
Where we stand now is that there appears to be a slight
preference for one particular set of dates, but nothing of
a consensus by any means. Some have indicated that any of
the proposed dates are acceptable to them.
So far we haven't had any evidence presented that any of the
proposed dates are out of the question, nor have we had any
statements that any set of dates not on the list would be
significantly better than any which are proposed.
Fortunately few of those who traditionally contribute a
significant amount of effort toward actually putting on
our activities have come forward and stated that any of
the proposed timeframes are unworkable for them.
At this time I think we need to continue the discussion here
and let it run its course, as well as make an announcement
to the Teeming Millions regarding the proposed dates and
call for comments. We're overdue for a general touch-base
mailing at this time.
With the input from the general DLV audience and discussion
here, we can then make an appropriate and informed decision
in the form of our vote in October.
If the discussion here and in response to the Call For Comments
does indeed die down, then yes, I think it might be appropriate
to move the vote to an earlier date.
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Rosada writes:
There is no problem for me with any of the three sets of dates.
I'm good to go!
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Vanessa writes:
The April 25 date works best for me and I agree that once we
get into May the heat factor may artificially or actually
deter attendence.
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Sindee writes:
Screw the Spanish ! I'm ready to vote !
(I have NO clue what that means but doesn't it sound Errol
Flynnish ?)
Bring on the dates and I figure the sooner the better has my vote.
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Susan Rogers writes:
Hi all. May 9 through 14 is no good for me. I'll be back in
NY by then. All of the other weeks will work. I am intrigued
by the 3 early weeks. It's a great time to be in Vegas. A
little cooler at night but still warm in the day.
As someone who was raised a Catholic, I gave up the idea of
giving up some thing for Lent around age 14. I friend of mine
is very involved in his church. He always gives up drinking
beer for Lent and for him that is quite a sacrifice. But as
a good Irish Catholic, he had a quandry whenever St. Patrick's
day fell during Lent. He actually had a conversation with his
Bishop about it.
The Bishop basically said the same thing that Holly said. Lent
is a time for reflection and any sacrifice that you make is
between you and God and it's ok for him to drink beer on St.
Patrick's day.
The week from Palm Sunday to Easter is the most important week
of Lent. Even a Monday start might keep a few people from coming
early. But I don't think that it would impact the rest of the
week.
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Marisa writes:
For date discussion, is college spring break an issue? When is
spring break?
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Annie responds:
Depending on the institution, Spring Break can be any time from
late February thru Holy Week/Passover. Going over my notes for
the initial "vetting" of the candidate dates, the week of March
27 - April 2 is the third most popular week for Spring Break in
2011 and the Week of April 3 - April 9 is the second most popular
week for Spring Break.
It's been discussed as a minor issue, mostly from concerns of
crowds of drunken fratboy types. In recent years, Spring Break
has not had any meaningful influence on room rates in LV.
Las Vegas is not on Trip Advisor's top ten list of hot Spring
Break destinations.
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DLV 2011 Limo Tour:
Nikki writes:
Hi.
I know it's still very early and the actual activities are
far from being decided. That being said I wanted to touch on
something that I have wanted to bring up for a while. So while
it's on my mind here goes.
The Limo Tour is a popular event and I expect it will continue
for 2011 and beyond. I've attended the tour the last two years
and have had a great time. The one thing I think that could be
better is the overall comfort. As far as I know a six seat limo
has always been used for the tour. I've noticed some passengers
having some degree of difficulty getting in and out of these
vehicles over several stops.
I have looked around and from what I have seen is that a suv
limo costs near twice as much per hour but also seats at least
12. With the higher curb height an suv offers, I believe the
overall comfort level would go up. This would also reduce the
number of limos to coordinate, with fewer drivers to gratuity.
Another thought is a limo coach that seats 20. From what I've
seen on pricing per hour they cost as much as a suv 12 seat
limo.
Best parts of this option is walk on walk off convienience
and we can keep more of our party together in one ride for
socializing.
Just thought I would put that out there for discussion.
. . . . .
Annie responds:
Thanks, Nikki.
First of all, it's not too early to be thinking about the
activities for DLV 2011, and even to make some preliminary
plans for them if that's what you want to do. That really
goes for all activities, not just the Limo Tour.
Here's the story on the Limo Tour for 2011 ...
First of all, we're looking for someone to head up the 2011
Limo Team.
JoAnn, who has headed it up for several years, has relinquished
the position, due to the fact that she took on the Lead PM role
this year. She will act in an advisory capacity if necessary.
We offered this position to one other individual, who has
declined due to the fact that she most likely will not be
able to attend in 2011. I (Annie) have also declined since
I already have enough things going on, but I will serve the
Limo Team in some skill-set-appropriate role. :)
So, the job is open and if you're interested, please send
in your resume and salary requirements. :) Same goes for any
of the existing Limo Team members, as well, or, any other
volunteers who may be interested.
The Limo Team has its own mailing list (DLVLIMO) for the
planning, but if everyone will excuse my digression, I'll
comment on a few of your points.
In general, putting on the Limo Tour can be fun and very
rewarding, but there are some challenges and frustrations
in there too. It really requires several people to do it
right, and there's very much some team satisfaction when
it goes well! :)
The decisions on how to implement the Limo Tour are up to
the Limo Team, but keep in mind that if something does not
work out, those who planned the Limo Tour will hear about
it in no uncertain terms. I speak from experience! :) :(
Well over half of the Limo Tour riders in recent years have
been repeat customers, and they do have some expectations
of the Tour, and will gripe loudly if those are not met. A
very good example is the skipping of the downtown "walk of
the cats" in 2009. As JoAnn said, skipping it only reinforced
the need to include it.
We've visited the possibility of the "Stretch Hummer", "Luxury
SUV", and "Party Bus" several times in the past, as the one
cited advantage is that of easier entry/exit.
We did some informal polling of a few of the regular Limo
Tour riders, and the consensus was that the preferred vehicle
was the traditional stretch limo. It was mentioned that the
intimacy and camaraderie of the 4-6 person car was a good
part of the Limo Tour experience. One couple stated "we would
probably not go" if larger-capacity vehicles were the only
option.
We also examined using the 8-passenger cars, such as Tina
used for the very first Limo Tour in 2001, but the cost per
seat is actually higher than with the 6-passenger cars.
One conclusion I've reached is that consistency from year
to year is something the Limo Tour riders look forward to.
It will be up to the 2011 Limo Team as to which vehicles to
use, but I would strongly suggest at least having the usual
traditional stretch limo as an option, and any other vehicles
in addition to, and not in place of regular limos. (You will
find that our people LOVE options!) :)
There were some other preferences noted, such as that for
"traditional" stops at Strip locations, and more riding time
and less standing-around time. We rejected proposals for such
things as an unstructured "each car do your own thing and go
where you want" tour, as well as a totally "outsourced" tour.
Anyway, (Nikki and all), please keep thinking about the 2011
Limo Tour and if you're interested in either leading it or
helping out with it, please step forward. :)
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JoAnn responds:
Nikki--
I have three concerns we need to overcome as I see the Limo Tour,
having been the "Madame of the Limo Tour" for the past 5 years.
First, the Event Coordinator saying: "We have done that before and
people like it, so why change?"
Second, We are herding cats and that is very trying and unpredictable,
so why risk trying something too new?.
Third, What happens in one year will be old hat the next year.
So we have resistance to change, while asking for change. Therefore,
to your particular suggestions --
(1) Nikki-- Would you volunteer to assist on the Limo Tour next year??
I hope you will say yes!!!
(2) Comfort is an issue. With comfort comes the cost of the comfort.
(3) A complication is "presentation" of the Event to the Public
at each of the stops. By that I mean we need to address: *Event
impact -*-- _limo_[ elegance, diva, "a statement"] as compared
to _SUV_[ "soccer mother", 20-something, jeans and tank-tops] vs.
_limo coach_ [bachelorette party, guy's limo to a pro-basketball
game].
So we have tried to address the event with a 4-person and a
6-person event to accommodate "comfort".
When we come to the programming I will open up the issues you have
presented and see if we can have a new approach to accommodate: (i)
comfort, (ii) cost, and, (iii) Diva elegance.
We will have a challenge here, but I'm open ....
JoAnn
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Update:
Mindy writes:
Well I finally got a job. My unemployment runs out this week.
Job starts in a week. Guess I couldn't cut it much closer
then that.
Unless the job has vacation time starting at 6 months (doubtful)
I won't be able to make it to DLV this time. If I could get a
couple of people to take over the Golf and the Pity Party I can
get them all the information thay need to run things this time.
With luck I will make it in 2012.
As for the job I will be working for a contractor that runs the
phone center for the welfare dept here. Wont be a goverment job
so no goverment benefits but at least the pay is a couple of
bucks and hr above my bare min, make ends meet requirements.
Hope all is well with everyone. If anyone makes it to the South
Bend drop me a note and we will get together.
. . . . .
JoAnn responds:
Mindy--
If you can find a way to join us in Vegas I'm sure will do such. You
have, and I am sure, will continue to be a contributor to
our"endeavors". We all wish you well. Your new job, we all believe, is
a job for which you will be the "right person". You will be a "natural".
The Pity Party and the Golf Event are very important for our Diva Week.
If you have any suggestions please, please, please forward names !
Continue to keep in touch and share. Thanks, and we await for your
active return... JoAnn
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Annie responds:
Thanks for the update, Mindy. Now that you have employment,
keep thinking positive in that circumstances will allow you
to break away and attend. :)
To all, this will mean that we'll need volunteers to take the
lead on both Golf and the Pity Party. I know that Bob, Susan,
Kimberly, and others have been involved with the planning of
the Pity Party in the past, and that Billie Lee, Other Annie,
Edy, Mardi, and others have helped out with Golf on occasion.
Nobody needs to commit now, but Pity Party and Golf fans,
please be thinking of it. New volunteers are encouraged to
volunteer to help with either of these if they are of interest
to you.
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Dates to be decided
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