In this mailing:
Org List
Strategic planning
Models for a 7-day event
Length of event comments
Hotels and resort fees
Administrivia
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Org List:
This is the DLV 2015 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.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Strategic planning:
Over the next few months we will be concentrating on the strategic
issues of our event to come. We'll transition into tactical mode toward
the end of the year as we put our 2015 schedule into place.
Assuming the start date of March 22 stands, this will be the earliest in
the calendar year that we've ever held our event, a full week earlier
than our last event. This means that we have less time to plan and many
of our usual checkpoints and milestones will need to occur earlier in
the cycle.
One decision we'll need to make within the next month is whether to
keep the six-day format or try to expand it to seven days. We want to
announce definite start and stop dates when the dates have become final.
Comments appear below. Further comments, either here or in the
Discussion Forum are welcome.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Models for a 7-day event:
Annie writes:
As an aside, much of this was written before the comments, mostly
opposed to the expansion, came in. I, personally, am very neutral to
this issues. My major concern is stated below.
Over the past several years we've had hints and suggestions along the
line of moving (back) to a seven-day event. In 2004, 2005, and 2006 we
had seven-day events. In 2007 we moved back to a six-day event, mainly
due to volunteer capacity limits.
Beginning in 2010 we discovered that our six-day model works very well
by starting with a "slow start" on a Sunday and ending with a "big bang"
on a Friday, with our first major gathering of the week on a Monday
evening.
Should we go to a seven-day event, I envision these options regarding
our start days, end days, and overall strategy.
1. We could add a day on the end of the event. Sunday thru Saturday. In
this case Saturday could be either the "big bang" end day or a lower-key
"wind down" day. My concern with the former is the possibility of a less
than optimal turnout on Saturday evening due to those who will have left
prior.
2. We could add a day on the beginning of the event. Saturday thru
Friday. Saturday could then be our "slow start" first day, with our
first major gathering on Sunday and our "big bang" ending on Friday. I
have fewer concerns with this than I do with option 1 above.
3. We could "split" the extra day between the start and finish. We could
start on a Saturday evening with no daytime activities planned. A
similar plan has worked out quite well for Pinkfest as we usually begin
the event on an evening. We could then have a farewell brunch or
something like that the following Saturday for a low-key post-ending.
My biggest concern with an expanded event is the capacity of the
volunteer force. Should we move to a seven-day event, I don't want to
see the same people doing 11-dot-something-percent more, I want to see
more people taking an active part!
The strength of our volunteer force has been increasing over the past
few years. I've noticed this mainly due to the "saturation point" (where
calls for additional help go unanswered) moving later and later in the
cycle. We had a very good response to our Call For Volunteers this year
with a good dose of new blood, so I think the capacity is there if the
desire and commitment are there.
If the group here thinks that going to a seven-day event will add to the
enjoyment and satisfaction of our event, then I want to see it happen.
If the group believes otherwise, then I think we should stick with the
six day event. I've been hearing the clamoring by some for an expanded
event for a number of years now, and that is why I brought up the issue.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Length of event comments:
Most of this has appeared in the Discussion Forum. It's presented here
so all volunteers will see the comments and consider them. This includes
items that were posted or received prior to approimately 0900 CDT on
Tuesday.
. . . . . . . . . .
Sara (sans "H") writes:
I'm going to make a case AGAINST expanding back to a seven day event.
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE FAMILIES...
Many of us have SO's who are in various places with respect to
acceptance but for whatever reason, our SO's choose not to attend DLV
with us. Speaking from experience, I found it much easier to expand my
attendance from 3 nights in my early DLV days to 5 nights in order to
accommodate pretty much the full slate of DLV activities including the
Welcome and Ending celebrations. My point is that getting away from the
family for a lengthy period of time is a bit easier when selling five
nights rather than six. Also, there is a lot to be said for getting back
home on a Saturday which allows for family time for the remainder of the
weekend before returning to work on Monday.
FOR THOSE OF US ON A BUDGET...
Face it, DLV can be a big financial commitment. Room rates are typically
higher on Friday & Saturday nights which can significantly add to
lodging expenses if DLV closes out on a Saturday.
FOR THOSE WHO TRAVEL BY CAR...
Especially going back to California, return traffic on a Sunday can be
just crazy if one doesn't depart Vegas rather early on Sunday.
-----------
I feel there has been a built-in perfection in how DLV has been
scheduled of late. Officially opening on Monday night and closing on
Friday. Nothing thus far has stopped volunteers from scheduling pre-DLV
activities on the Sunday before and there's nothing that says the same
cannot be done for post-DLV for the Saturday afterwards. The schedule as
it has been for the last few years has allowed for ample activities and
flexibility that seems to encourage maximum attendance. Pre & post
activities can easily be added as needed when volunteers step up,
allowing for the core Monday through Friday DLV to remain intact without
being diluted.
Just my 2-cents.
. . . . . . . . . .
Annie writes:
I'm not speaking out in favor of expanding to a seven-day event or
against it, but offering a couple of data points and observations.
First, when we went from a seven-day event back to a six-day event (2007
iirc), we did not see a decrease in the average length of time spent at
the event, as reported on the survey. This has very consistently held at
5 dot something days regardless of the length of the event. This
includes the time reported by the locals, who make up about 15-20% of
our contingent.
In the years when we have ended the event on a Saturday or Sunday
(2002-2009) we very consistently saw a mass departure of attendees on
Friday and on Saturday morning. A frequent complaint during those years
was the lack of strength in the ending of our event. "Fizzle-out ending"
was the term used by one of our volunteers. In recent years (2010-2014)
we've ended on a Friday and we've seen less of a departure on Friday and
much stronger endings.
. . . . . . . . . .
Joann responds:
I would offer: If it is not broke don't fix it.
A Friday with "less departure" the last couple of years as stated below
on Friday *"does not make the leap for me"* that there is logic, energy,
and volunteers for continuing on Saturday with a significant attendance.
We have a good pre-event on Sunday before the official week starts, and
with some coming to a pre-event Saturday.
We have a lot to do without trying to fill-up additional days. To
re-visit expanding a Friday ending is, I believe, misplaced energy.
Just my thoughts....
. . . . . . . . . .
Vickie writes:
Five or six days was good those who want to come earlier and do se ad
hoc events certainly can. I think the real issue is availability of
flights. I wanted to stay till Sunday last year but there were no
flights
. . . . . . . . . .
Katie writes:
I think 6 days is enough. As mentioned previously The rooms are more
expensive Friday and Saturday which might put a few off. Of course if
this is your once a year vacation then the extra $$$ should not matter
and the availability to spend as much consecutive time in girl mode with
a whole bunch of new friends is a really nice experience for those who
have never done it before .
As some have said already, Anyone who wants to stay over Saturday
evening and leave Sunday morning is welcome to do so but to schedule 7
full days of D L V in my opinion will draw it out too long and some
might become uninterested and very likely need a rest. ( Not that
there's anything wrong with that ).
The good thing about extra days though is that those who don't want to
dress and walk around in high heels every single day can take days off
and spread it out a bit which makes it easier on their system as they
might not be used to wearing such items all day every day! Also shaving
twice a day for consecutive days hurts too when Friday comes around so
this might be one of the reasons to extend it.
I usually stay over Saturday anyway, especially if we have driven there
from home as it is a very long way and in those cases and even sometimes
when we have flown there we have stayed Sunday night too and done a
couple of the shows together then left Monday Morning because Vegas is
always a good time.
My situation is very likely quite an unique one as I bring my wife along
as I prefer to do our vacationing together rather that apart but she
does not participate in anything with me when I am dressed as Katie.
This means that if I do a lot of girly stuff during the DLV week then
She is alone a lot, which she says is ok with her! (What a gem the woman
is!) so I like to spend 2 consecutive days with her over the final
weekend and take a night or two off from DLV during the week too. Often
we have done a supper/ dinner out with other DLVers and their wives in
Boy/Girl mode on the Saturday evening after DLV which has always worked
out well.
On the whole I would say no to extending it. but it would not hurt us
too much if we did.
. . . . . . . . .
Delaney writes:
I'm generally in favor of the seven days, under the "more is better"
perspective, but I normally try to come in a day or two early in any
case. I understand the hotel cost issue, but there is always the option
to move for a night from the strip to a non-casino hotel if the rates
are excessively high on the 28th - a bit inconvenient, but certainly
doable. For me, as I am coming in from the East Coast, the arrival and
departure dates are driven more by the air cost/availability than the
hotel rates.
..
Just a note to let you know that should it be decided to go to seven
days, you can count on me to host another dinner or show (or something
else, if I can think of an option) to cover some of the gap.
..
One other option may be to do Saturday as an optional, light schedule
day, perhaps with just one lunch, an afternoon activity and one dinner.
If the turnout is good, it could be expanded in 2016. That said, I'm
comfortable with either a 6 or 7 day decision.
. . . . . . . . . .
Beverly writes:
I think we should just leave it for now that anyone around on that last
Saturday make their own plans and let things build from there. If there
is enough people around it may take on a life of it's own.
. . . . . . . . . .
Melissa writes:
I'd like to go to the welcome and farwell partys. For me, its hard to
get away for more than 6 days.
. . . . . . . . . .
Annie responds:
Thanks to all who responded.
It appears that the wind is blowing in the direction of non-expansion.
I do agree with Sara in that I think the strategy we have used during
recent years (major gatherings on Monday and Friday) hits a "sweet spot"
and works well. I also agree with Joann with the "ain't broke, don't fix
it" remark.
Delaney, we appreciate your offer to host(ess) an additional activity
should we go to a seven-day event. However, this is one situation I
think we need to carefully avoid. As I've stated many times before, if
we go to an expanded event I don't want to see it facilitated by an
increase in the workload of the active volunteers. I want to see more
volunteers become active in order to make it happen.
In light of the comments that have come in, I suggest that unless
remarks in favor of going to an expanded event come in within the next
list cycle, we close this topic and move on to the other aspects of
planning for our event.
Should anyone strongly disagree, please feel free to raise a motion to
expand our 2015 event to seven days. Should you do this, please be sure
to explicitly state the proposed adjusted timeframe (e.g. end on a
Saturday, etc.).
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hotels and resort fees:
We received a note expressing disillusionment from the fact that the
heavily-marketed trivago.com does not conspicuously list resort fees for
the hotels in Las Vegas that have them. We can't do much about this, or
the fact that most Las Vegas hotels now charge resort fees, but we can
(and have done so in the past) note this in our material regarding
hotels.
For those who object to resort fees and want to see us suggest hotels
without them, this is your cue. There are a few things you can do.
First, find out which hotels in the area do not have resort fees and
report back. Please don't just copy those usually-out-of-date lists on
the various LV travel sites. Check with the hotels and get assurance
that they will not have a resort fee in March of 2015. Then nominate
those as suggested hotels when the subject comes up.
Second. Resort fees are sometimes (not always) waived for various
negotiated rates. If you feel like doing it, check with hotel sales and
management people and see what they are willing to do for our group.
Many times the rates they will quote can easily be beaten with a few
mouse clicks but twice in our history we've been given true lower rates
with few strings attached.
If you want to pick up this ball and run with it, please feel free! :)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Administrivia:
This is the Diva Las Vegas 2015 organizational list.
One address for all items regarding this list, additions, removals,
changes, submissions, questions, etc.:
dlvorg_at_geekbabe.com <--- NOTE: all lower case
Diva Las Vegas 2015
(dates to be determined)
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Archives of this list appear on the web at:
http://www.geekbabe.com/annie/org15arc/
To unsubscribe: Simply reply to this message with the word UNSUBSCRIBE
in either the Subject: field or the first line of an OTHERWISE BLANK
message body. The word "unsubscribe" (case is insignificant) should be
the only item in the subject field or the first line of the message,
justified to the left.
To send material to this list: Send submission as regular e-mail to
the address: dlvorg_at_geekbabe.com
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Received on Wed Aug 13 2014 - 08:37:45 CDT
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.2.0 : Wed Jun 03 2015 - 07:09:18 CDT