In this mailing:
Org List
Welcome Celebration strategy
Holiday administrivia
Conclusions from the survey
New direction for the Welcome Celebration
Filling in the hole
Out of the box thoughts on the WC
WC as a social activity
Dietary concerns and socializing
Another option
Full menu limits and various comments
Raw and cooked survey results
Administrivia
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Org List:
This is the DLV 2014 Organizational Mailing List (dlvorg_at_geekbabe.com)
Replies to this message will be forwarded to the DLVORG list and not
the DLV-Announce or DLV-Discuss list.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Welcome Celebration strategy:
This mailing covers mostly the DLV 2014 Welcome Celebration and directly
related topics. We do have one administrivial item below.
We're asking all volunteers to please read this mailing thoroughly and
very carefully, since a major change in direction is being proposed.
Comments on our new-direction plans are welcome and encouraged!
. . . . .
Our Welcome Celebration survey closed last Friday.
110 responses to the survey were recorded. 75 of these were from those
who have attended DLV in the past, and 35 were from those who have never
attended. Both potential newcomers and returnees were well represented.
The survey has given us some very valuable insight into the relative
likes and dislikes of our attendees and potential attendees. Several
suspicions were confirmed, and the relative importance of the various
factors appearing on the survey have been significantly clarified.
Only one true "surprise" was revealed.
No comments on the topic of the survey were received from the attendee
base as a whole.
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Holiday administrivia:
Usually, during the month of December, we take a break and resume our
planning in January.
This year, however, we have a few weeks less in which to plan, due to
our earlier start date, plus there are things happening, mainly the
planning of the major gatherings. We're simply not going to be able to
stop now and resume in January.
We'll try to keep the mailings minimal during the weeks beginning
on December 22 and December 29.
Also, keeping in mind everyone's holiday plans, we can consider that any
decisions of an otherwise binding nature made between December 20 or so
and the first of the year to be subject to review during the first part
of January. Therefore, those who have a holiday crunch can be assured
that no major binding decisions will be made without their opportunity
for input.
Happy Hanukkah to those to whom it applies (to all, actually) :) and
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in advance to everyone! :)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Conclusions from the survey:
Annie writes:
The single factor most cited as making the attendee more likely to
attend the Welcome Celebration is the availability of the full dinner
menu. This is the single most significant factor noted in the survey
results.
The fixed menu dinner is definitely on the less likely to attend side
of neutral for returnees, but somewhat on the more likely to attend
for newcomers.
The vast majority, newcomers and returnees, prefer a single-venue
Welcome Celebration over the two-step dinner and social gathering.
This confirms the comments received over the years that a "move" from
one venue to another is not popular.
The factor most cited as making the attendee less likely to attend the
(social portion of the) Welcome Celebration is smoking being allowed.
This is close to a moot point this year, and would only be possible in
a bar that does not serve food.
The potential unavailability of adult beverages is also a very strong
negative.
Holding the (social portion of the) Welcome Celebration in an
alternative bar is not a deterrent at all. This appears on the
more likely to attend side of neutral.
Factors such as exposure to the public in the venue and the busy crowded
entry to the venue are not nearly as strong as suspected. These scored
slightly on the less likely to attend side for newcomers and more likely
to attend for returnees. The overall unweighted results of these
questions, when all responses are included, are close to neutral. The
expected difference between newcomers and returnees on these factors was
much lower than expected.
As always suspected, a cover charge is a reasonably strong deterrent.
Three locations were mentioned by name on the survey as possible WC
venues. All of these have been used in recent years for medium to large
DLV gatherings and all should be familiar to those attending in recent
years. All "unfamiliar with the venue" responses were scored as neutral.
Of the three venues specified by name on the survey, the Bahama Breeze
scored very highly on the more likely to attend side of neutral.
As was suspected, the Artisan scored significantly on the less likely to
attend side of neutral for returnees. It did score somewhat on the more
likely to attend side for newcomers. Speculation is that the high
beverage prices, which were noticed by the majority of last year's
attendees, had a very significant role in the overall negative position
on the scale.
The biggest surprise, however, was that the EHM scored as negatively
as it did!
I am interpreting this NOT as a dislike of the EHM by any means, but as
a lower preference for the EHM as a venue for the Welcome Celebration in
and of itself. Other related factors (food not available, cover charge)
most likely played a role in this rating.
The possible re-use of a venue is not a deterrent to attendance at
either the first or subsequent activity. Familiarity appears to outweigh
any "been there done that" factors.
The only factors showing any significant difference between the weighted
and unweighted tabulations, and between the newcomers and returnees, are
those factors scoring close to neutral on any of the tabulations.
Ideally then, our Welcome Celebration should be a single-venue affair
consisting of both dining and social time. A full regular menu is all
but a must. The WC should be in a venue where smoking is not allowed.
Adult beverages should be available. There should not be any kind of
cover charge.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
New direction for the Welcome Celebration:
Of the criteria noted above in the conclusion, the Bahama Breeze meets
all of them. Plus, Bahama Breeze scored the highest of all three venues
which were mentioned by name.
It is therefore the suggestion of the PM team (Annie, Beverly, JoAnn)
that we use the Bahama Breeze for our Welcome Celebration for DLV 2014.
This opinion is unanimous among the three.
This decision is also supported by Cami and Kandi, who have been the
ones actively in touch with potential venues. See below.
It is also the opinion of the PM team that if a choice needs to be made,
a strong beginning to our event is more important than a strong ending.
This (strong beginning more important than strong ending) is reinforced
by comparing the general climate of two instances of another event,
Pinkfest. Pinkfest 2011 was plagued by a shaky start. Pinkfest 2013 was
plagued with a weak and disappointing ending. It was very clear that the
overall climate at Pinkfest 2013 was more "up" than in 2011 and the
level of overall degree of satisfaction was greater in 2013.
We do, however, wish to have a strong ending as well, as we we've had
for each and every year from 2010 forward.
Unless there are objections made during the next list cycle, Beverly
will be contacting Bahama Breeze and moving our reservation from Friday
to Monday of DLV week.
It should be very clearly noted that we do not in any way wish to
discount the efforts of those involved with possibly Welcome Celebration
venues, most specifically Cami and Kandi. We simply want to steer those
results and efforts toward other important related ends, as noted below.
We've asked those who have been in contact with the potential vendors to
please circle back and get a (possibly rough) number of the maximum
number of people they are willing to serve from a regular menu. See the
items below for feedback on this.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Filling in the hole:
Annie writes:
"We have not filled the hole, we have moved the hole from one location
to another."
Our attention must now go to the ending evening. Even though we do have
volunteers willing to do a certain amount of legwork, the job of the
ending festivities belongs to all of us, myself included, as well as
YOU. :)
All options are on the table.
For the past four years, 2010-2013, we've had strong endings using a
single track of Bahama Breeze followed by Paris. Those who have been
with us many years certainly remember the difficulty and frustration we
had with "fizzle out" endings in the 2000s.
I (Annie) personally think that any plans for the final evening should
include some kind of a single-track common gathering for at least 1 1/2
to 2 hours or so.
Although the survey focused on the Welcome Celebration, I believe that
many of the conclusions equally apply to a closing celebration as well.
We would like to hear what YOU would like to see for our major ending
gathering. Again, we assure you that if you comment, you will not get
jumped upon to do any busy work unless you specifically volunteer to
do so.
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Out of the box thoughts on the WC:
Ginger writes:
I would personally prefer to have the Welcome Celebration at a drop-in
(probably bar) location that would be easily accessible to the main
hotels by walking, public transportation, and also with good parking.
It should be quiet enough to talk with others. This would probably
work best before dinner.
Dinner could follow at a variety of places giving considerable choice on
fare and price. This would not preclude one of the choices being the
same place as the Welcome Celebration proper.
As an alternative the Welcome Celebration could be later in the evening
following dinner.
. . . . . . . . . .
Annie responds:
This is the first time I recall that a "reverse" strategy of a social
gathering before a meal has been proposed.
Although this was in response to Welcome Celebration comments, this may
be something to think about for our closing evening.
Comments on this approach, gang?
. . . . . . . . . .
Joann responds:
This sounds live a format we might consider for the Closing with Paris
as the final gathering place.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
WC as a social activity:
Kandi writes:
> I think one of the biggest challenges for the Opening Celebration
> is having an easy to access area that people can get up and socialize
> in. Sometimes the food is secondary although we don't want to overlook
> it.
I agree with Sue and that the opportunity to mix-it-up should be
encouraged.
I think the Buffet option provides that since you need to get up to get
your food.
DLV might also encourage concepts like 'floaters' to circulate around
the tables or just everybody play 'musical chairs' so to speak.
. . . . . . . . . .
Annie responds:
"Quality Social Time" was an expression used by one of our former
volunteers to refer to the main social portions of our large gatherings.
I do agree that food is a secondary consideration at our major
gatherings. However, food can be a drawing card, particularly when
a wide variety of menu selections is offered.
As more and more responses come in, the relative importance of Quality
Social Time becomes more and more evident.
I also agree that the buffet would tend to get people up and mingling.
If there's anything that stifles social interaction, it's everyone just
picking a seat and staying put the entire evening! Some of our WC venues
were very good in this respect, in that they did not have enough seats
for everyone. :)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dietary concerns and socializing:
Jill writes:
I just wanted to comment about the proposed two locations for the WC.
First, both places serve hi carborhydrates. Because of a genetic medical
condition, I eat every few. That does not mean I do not eat any, but I
have to watch it carefully. My money would be better spent on something
that I could enjoy.
My second remark is just to reaffirm something that you have mentioned.
Of the five WC's I have attended, the Ox and Fire Fly at the Plaza were
the best. You could move around and socialize and had the freedom to
order what you wanted if anything at all.
I like the Artisian for socializing, however I think they take advantage
of us. The first time without knowing our drink prices went up when we
went to eat. Yet the stayed the same in the bar area. That may be
common, but it seemed to be one event. Those that ate in the Lounge area
only payed the prices there.
Last year I only had one drink there because the prices were so high. I
know you have heard plenty of complaints abot that so there is no need
to go into that.
I did have an appitizer but ate a meal after I left which got to be a
bit late for that.
But the important thing is that there we could socialize like we could
at the Plaza or OX.
The Bahama Breeze has been a great place with a reasonable menu and
drinks and also allows for socialization. I would not mind going there
twice during the week.
. . . . . . . . . .
Annie responds:
Thanks, Jill.
Jill reinforces what appears to be our consensus, that social time needs
to be the primary goal of our major gatherings.
Jill also reinforces the "full menu" preference. We will always have
some with dietary restrictions. (I have one, but it's easy to work
around.) We also have some who are picky eaters and simply prefer the
wide variety of choices.
As to using the Bahama Breeze (or any venue) twice, the survey says that
a repeat venue is not a deterrent to attendance, which contradicts what
we've always believed. Yes, the "easy way out" would be to simply keep
our Friday BB reservation and add one for Monday.
I do believe that variety is to our advantage. Plus, one thing that we
absolutely need to keep in mind when using a repeat venue is that if
anything of significance should go wrong with the first major activity
at a venue, it can give us a strong negative impact to the turnout at
the second.
. . . . . . . . . .
Joann responds:
The "easy-way-out" always seems not to be so easy from my experience. We
should try not to repeat a major venue twice in a week. The challenge is
"fresh ideas". We do not wish to get a label of a site being "same old"!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Another option:
Bea writes:
Every month Circus Circus hosts LV Pride Drag Queen FAMILY bingo. They
reserve the ball room in the Sky Tower, put up a sign "private party".
They set up 2 full bars with very reasonable price drinks and drink
specials. They set up food sales with salads, sandwiches, snacks, etc.
at reasonable prices..... like $6 chief salad, $4 glass wine. ....
One time they did it on Sunday with a full buffet brunch at a very
reasonable price.
The banquet manager at Circus in the head of Las Vegas Pride. That end
of the strip is slow right now with 2 major properties under
construction, they would probably welcome us mid week especially (mid
week in LV is Mon to Thurs).
You can park in the Sky Tower garage adjacent to the Sky Tower. It is
about 50 feet from the garage to the ball room. You completely avoid
the mid way and gaming casino. The only possible down is that sometimes
the tour buses unload at that entrance... but none of them speak
English.
The ball room is huge and you could set it up any way you want. Lots of
room to mingle, etc. You could even have entertainment of booths if
desired.
. . . . . . . . . .
Annie responds:
Thanks, Bea.
I assume there will be a room charge, correct?
My main concern to this approach is the cost of the room. Hotels do not
generally want to cover the room charge with food and beverage sales, so
somebody has to pay for it.
Unless we have a creative means of paying the room charge (or a
volunteer sugar-mommy) this will mean some kind of a cover charge.
As reinforced by the survey results, this is a strong deterrent to
attendance.
Comments, gang?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Full menu limits and various comments:
Kandi writes:
I think the Bahama Breeze is an excellent choice for the Welcome
Celebration.
Both Buca and Firefly will not let us order from the main menu for a
large group.I have queried them about what their limit is, already.
Buca says 29 and Firefly says a more flexible contract for 18-20 people.
Neither would charge for the room. Both would charge the 18% gratuity
fee.
To be very clear about this, I wanted to research these places as a
challenge to myself and to 'pay-back' DLV for the new friends I have
made and all the help they have given to my being more comfortable going
out en femme. My efforts during my June and October trips increased my
confidence and will help me start my new business.
Being our 'Mother Hen', it must be challenging for you to collect the
opinions for the group and make these decisions. You have my support for
this and all the other decisions you need to make before DLV 2014 can
happen.
. . . . . . . . . .
Cami writes:
I think the decision to move the welcome to celebration to Bahama Breeze
makes sense.
I will contact my person at Carmines and see if they could make the
farewell party work.
We might have to get a sense in advance as to how many people will
commit to eating.
Since I thought it would be a good welcome celebration then you I
believe it will serve well as a farewell party then you.
We could still consider bringing in entertainment, of which I believe I
can get a comedian, or perhaps a disc jockey. I'm sure we could still
get the upstairs and have privacy. I will advise.
. . . . . . . . . .
Annie responds:
Thanks, Kandi and Cami, for following up on this.
Particular thanks to Kandi for the words of support.
I personally believe that any of Buca di Beppo, Carmine's, or Firefly
could possibly work for the ending large gathering.
If we consider most of the survey factors to apply to the ending major
activity as well, a preference for a single-venue thing is evident, but
since the full menu limits of two of the three are less than the number
we would have dining at a single venue, this may not be possible.
Personally, I don't think we need any "entertainment" for a closing
gathering. That's my opinion, and it may or may not be shared by the
others. Bahama Breeze has usually thrown in a guitarist, and this was
appropriate and appreciated, but, IMAO, not an absolute necessity.
For our 2008 Welcome Celebration, Blue Ox threw in a deejay. We turned
this down for 2009 and we made a similar "thanks but no thanks" to
Artisan in 2013.
The floor is now open for your comments on the closing gathering. Please
let us know what you think! :)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Raw and cooked survey results:
First, the raw results, all responses included, no weighting or scaling.
Total responses: 110
Adult beverages NOT available: -30
Cover charge: -12
Smoking allowed: -52
Fixed-menu dinner: -4
Full-menu dinner: +62
Alternative bar: +22
Busy crowded entry: +2
Exposed public venue: +2
Artisan: -9
Bahama: +30
EHM: -12
Duplicate venue first activity: +8
Duplicate venue second activity: +10
Prefer single venue for WC: 87
No single/multiple preference: 16
Prefer multiple venue for WC: 4
Most likely attend both of a split WC: 67
Most likely attend dinner, skip social: 5
Most likely skip dinner, attend social: 31
Most likely skip both: 3
Very likely to attend DLV: 57
Likely to attend DLV: 14
Possibly will attend DLV: 31
Unlikely to attend DLV: 4
Very unlikely to attend DLV: 2
Will attend as individual: 73
SO may or may not attend: 12
Will attend as couple: 21
Never attended DLV before: 35
Attended DLV once: 18
Attended DLV twice or more: 55
. . . . . . . . . .
Next, the weighted results, Weighted toward returnees and those likely
to attend. These are not scaled, so the numbers will appear to be very
high in comparison.
Total responses: 110
Adult beverages NOT available: -196
Cover charge: -98
Smoking allowed: -329
Fixed-menu dinner: -49
Full-menu dinner: +402
Alternative bar: +108
Busy crowded entry: +19
Exposed public venue: +31
Artisan: -77
Bahama: +214
EHM: -84
Duplicate venue first activity: +34
Duplicate venue second activity: +46
Prefer single venue for WC: 87
No single/multiple preference: 16
Prefer multiple venue for WC: 4
Most likely attend both of a split WC: 67
Most likely attend dinner, skip social: 5
Most likely skip dinner, attend social: 31
Most likely skip both: 3
Very likely to attend DLV: 57
Likely to attend DLV: 14
Possibly will attend DLV: 31
Unlikely to attend DLV: 4
Very unlikely to attend DLV: 2
Will attend as individual: 73
SO may or may not attend: 12
Will attend as couple: 21
Never attended DLV before: 35
Attended DLV once: 18
Attended DLV twice or more: 55
. . . . . . . . . .
Next, only those who have previously attended DLV.
Total responses: 75
Adult beverages NOT available: -24
Cover charge: -16
Smoking allowed: -35
Fixed-menu dinner: -12
Full-menu dinner: +42
Alternative bar: +7
Busy crowded entry: +3
Exposed public venue: +6
Artisan: -12
Bahama: +27
EHM: -10
Duplicate venue first activity: 0
Duplicate venue second activity: +3
Prefer single venue for WC: 59
No single/multiple preference: 10
Prefer multiple venue for WC: 3
Most likely attend both of a split WC: 41
Most likely attend dinner, skip social: 4
Most likely skip dinner, attend social: 24
Most likely skip both: 2
Very likely to attend DLV: 45
Likely to attend DLV: 8
Possibly will attend DLV: 15
Unlikely to attend DLV: 4
Very unlikely to attend DLV: 1
Will attend as individual: 47
SO may or may not attend: 9
Will attend as couple: 15
Never attended DLV before: 0
Attended DLV once: 18
Attended DLV twice or more: 55
. . . . . . . . . .
Finally, only those who have never attended DLV in the past.
Total responses: 35
Adult beverages NOT available: -6
Cover charge: +4
Smoking allowed: -17
Fixed-menu dinner: +8
Full-menu dinner: +20
Alternative bar: +15
Busy crowded entry: -1
Exposed public venue: -4
Artisan: +3
Bahama: +3
EHM: -2
Duplicate venue first activity: +8
Duplicate venue second activity: +7
Prefer single venue for WC: 28
No single/multiple preference: 6
Prefer multiple venue for WC: 1
Most likely attend both of a split WC: 26
Most likely attend dinner, skip social: 1
Most likely skip dinner, attend social: 7
Most likely skip both: 1
Very likely to attend DLV: 12
Likely to attend DLV: 6
Possibly will attend DLV: 16
Unlikely to attend DLV: 0
Very unlikely to attend DLV: 1
Will attend as individual: 26
SO may or may not attend: 3
Will attend as couple: 6
Never attended DLV before: 35
Attended DLV once: 0
Attended DLV twice or more: 0
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Administrivia:
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Diva Las Vegas 2014
Sunday, March 30 - Friday, April 4
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Received on Wed Dec 04 2013 - 13:05:57 CST
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.2.0 : Wed May 14 2014 - 06:50:30 CDT