In this mailing:
Org List
Various strategies
Social aspects of DLV
Hotels
Fragrances
Surveying the masses
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.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Various strategies:
We are not under any absolute deadlines - YET - but we need to keep
things moving regarding a few strategic items. Our hotel strategy is one
we do need to decide upon shortly, particularly if we are to make any
significant adjustments.
On the subject of hotels, again a reminder. If anyone wishes to contact
any hotels regarding Special Group Rates <tm>, waiver of nuisance fees,
etc., the clock is ticking! :)
. . . . . . . . . .
We are on a roll regarding general and specific strategic brainstorming.
Please continue! :)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Social aspects of DLV:
Sara writes:
1) Sherry made some great points and Annie's replies are spot-on.
My thought on this when it comes to hotels is to perhaps designate one
as an "anchor" hotel and all others are simply other recommendations.
The problem is which one is the best anchor. Price in the past might
have dictated IP/Quad but Harrah's isn't much more and it is a nicer
place. Then someone familiar with said hotel would need to figure out
where the best common meeting areas would be (map link would be helpful
as casino/lobby areas are often mazes to get lost in).
. . . . .
Katie writes:
Lunch with ?
I only ever attended 2 Lunch with's and on both occasions it went off
fine and I enjoyed the experience. (Thanks for doing it Ginger). I do
however agree that we might think about returning to the Sahara type of
plan where it is in the same place every day and likely around 12PM so
we can allow the morning rush crowd to disperse a bit before we line up
for sustenance.. and being in the same place each day is easy to handle
for people who have never been to Las Vegas before.
I have a suggestion which may or may not please all because it will not
be a 2 minute drive from base camp but here goes.
I met Ginger at the Hilton on Paradise Rd a few years ago as she and the
gang were just about to go in to the buffet for LWG and even though I
was in male mode at the time and not attending the Luncheon Do, I
instantly thought how nice this was and that this was the perfect place
for Lunch with the girls. My reasons for this were.
1) The parking was easy and spacious and looked very safe.
2) The walk from the parking garage took me through a really nice
boutique styled mall. Good for browsing and stopping here and there if
you arrive early or some serious browsing apre Lunch!
3) I also think that the walk to and from the Buff' would be a rather
nice experience for newer ladies who might want to divert their
attention from the thoroughfare scene and to make the walk a bit easier
and more comfortable as it was quite quiet during that time as opposed
to other Casinos which are really busy around the lunch buffet areas.
4) The Hilton buffet area looked really nice although I did not join
Ginger at that particular time as I had somewhere else to be with my
wife during the lunch hour but I suspect that the New Hilton will still
be the same nice pleasant mall and easy access and egress to the Buffet
zone.
5) The traffic on Paradise RD around the Hilton area is a lot less busy
than the strip or Koval lane. (Main access to parking to most strip
casinos).
This is just a suggestion along the lines of bringing the Lunch with
whoever to a central location.
I Do realize that The Hilton is not very central but I always think of
getting in and getting out of a place when I plan an outing and this was
a nice easy going experience for me when I was relatively new so it very
likely will be for someone else who is new also because new girls
usually have the very same fears and preferences.
I have one more thing which might enhance the process too!
When I did LWG in the Stratosphere in 2013 Annie Bev and I and one or
two more gathered at the Round bar just inside the main entrance for a
pre lunch drinky poo or two and we could see some of the girls arriving
through the front doors. We could not however see anyone arriving by car
from the public parking area!
So with this in mind, I am not really all that familiar with the Lunch
With overall layout so excuse me if this is already in the game plan.
If we had a pre lunch -- 1/2 hour earlier meeting point such as the
Circular Stratosphere Bar I mentioned I think it would enhance the
experience for both new and old hands, then instead of arriving at the
Buffet alone or in 2's and 3's, then all standing waiting for everyone
who said they would be there, We can all attack the lineup or bypass it
Pre planned and together! I am sure that we can request this of the
Buffet staff as Vegas is the most accommodating place I have even
vacationed.
I thought I'd get the ball rolling early to get plenty of suggestions
for a revised Lunc With long before the event and we could possibly add
this to the forum at MY DLV so we can get some outside viewpoints too.
A dining footnote ..
I am really sorry if Katies Koffee Korner is too early for most girls
but I can only do what I can do. If I started it at 9 AM or 10 then I
would be sitting around for 2 hours or more waiting for 3 or 4 people
to show up and I would not able to go somewhere else in case I did not
get back in time, whereas this way I can go straight from my room in
either Harras, Falamingo, Quad or Ballys in a few minutes to the Cyber
Cafe.
The 2014 coffee mornings were reasonably well attended given the Time
etc. especially on Golf day and Hiking day and I had occasion to pass on
several tidbits of DLV information to new girls who actually returned
with us on other days and asked other questions too.
I think our info plan needs a bit of a booster shot and a more personal
touch such as the dreaded conventions do *lol*. Oops sorry I mentioned
that word again.... because some new friends contacted me after 2014 and
said they wished they knew about this or that. or what a great time that
n must have been etc.
KKK and LWG are great places to find this stuff out and it might be good
if the opener @ Bahama Breeze had an informal info desk / combination
dinner table manned or Womaned by those in the know. The Name tag table
would work but they are already quite busy but if they are ok with is
then some of us could s-pell them at times during the early evening.
Food for thought.. No Pun Intended Ok just a little one!
. . . . . . . . . .
Beverly responds:
I think Katie has some valuable insights with her comments. As
comfortable as I am being out in Las Vegas I still get nervous during
some of the long walks through casinos where I don't know where I am
going.
Having lunches in places that are easy to reach would be great for
everyone. However, I would not want to have the lunches at the same
place every day. I like the variety that Ginger has provided over the
years by trying new places. I come to Las Vegas to try different things
and go places I haven't been before.
I try to experience some place new with every trip (like skydiving!).
Though I also hate having to get up super early to make Katie's morning
gathering I understand her desire to get the morning started early. I
too wish that we could persuade her to push it back to 8:00. We still
could be out of there by 9:00 and have the whole morning for fun.
I really like the idea of an information "table" or something similar at
the beginning of the week, such as like the opening night gathering at
Bahama Breeze. It would be great to be able to get information into the
hands of everyone at the beginning of the week and to be available to
answer any questions. Most of this is available before DLV on the chat
page. But it would be helpful to have it at DLV as well I feel.
. . . . .
Annie responds:
I would like to touch upon a number of these talking points.
What hotel would be best? Very good question.
A few years ago we voted down having either a singular suggested hotel
or naming one hotel which would be our primary or "most suggested"
hotel. There appears to be movement in this direction again, mainly
for the purpose of facilitating social interaction.
. . . . .
What was known for years as the Las Vegas Hilton, the former Hotel
International, is now in a state of flux. It is now known as the
Westgate and it is certain that many of the amenities, such as the
buffet, will be changing. The desire of the Westgate is to become the
full-service anchor hotel for the Las Vegas Convention Center and they
are marketing very heavily to corporate travel types along this line.
As far as making this an anchor hotel, it's not gonna happen unless
somebody takes the initiative to do some contacting and negotiating.
Their posted rates are not in the ballpark that would attract many of
our people. However, they have been quoting some very good rates to
corporate travel agents, particularly if no major events are occurring
at the LVCC. This may be an opportunity for a skilled negotiator to do
some good here.
. . . . .
I have been trying to get a handle on the "low information attendee"
situation over the past year or so and have realized a few patterns
among our attendees.
We do make all kinds of information available. However, there appears to
be a limit regarding what the more casual attendees are willing to do to
make themselves aware of many of the details of what's going on.
I've been trying to better organize and present the information and to
make getting relevant information more convenient for those who are less
eager to seek out information.
One specific plan is to focus many items onto an "Attendee Information
Portal" which will be one and only one link that an attendee will need
in order to register and participate.
A test version of this is now on line. Surf here:
http://www.geekbabe.com/cgi-bin/dlv/aip.cgi
When we roll out the test registration, which will most likely be around
the first of December for volunteers, most who previously attended will
get a link to this which will be pre-populated with name and various
other registration information.
As an aside, we have a very good (??) case study of a low-information
situation from this year's Pinkfest. I'm currently reconstructing all of
the details, and at this time it looks like a case of a late registrant
who was expecting something more like Keystone or SCC. We can apply the
lessons learned to DLV.
. . . . .
We've never had an information table but it might very well be a good
thing to have. Many volunteers, myself included, are often approached
by attendees with questions regarding what, where, when, how, etc.
If we are to have a one-shot or recurring information table or something
like this, somebody will need to coordinate it, somebody will need to
staff it, and, more importantly, if any printed matter is to be handed
out, somebody will need to pay for it and somebody will need to do the
printing and/or duplication.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hotels:
Beverly writes:
I am already starting to plan for DLV2015. I have looked into hotel
costs and not happy with what I am seeing. I have been fortunate to get
really good room rates the past few years ($29-$49/ night typically at
Harrah's and Imperial Palace). Now I see rates for Harrah's at
$120/night with a $15-$20 resort fee and the former Imperial Palace/The
Quad (now changing to The Linq at the end of October) running $70-$100
plus same resort fee.
I may think about staying at The Riviera or Stratosphere for $49/night
($15 resort fee add'l). It's further away from the action but a
considerable savings. Actually the Flamingo is offering decent pricing
at $79 +$15 resort fee so that could be an option as well. Hopefully the
prices will come down as we get closer so it's something to keep an eye
on.
Six months and counting...
. . . . . . . . . .
Annie responds:
Beverly began attending DLV during the depth of the Great Recession and
at the time it was a buyers' market for hotel rooms in Las Vegas. Hotel
managers did everything they could to keep the occupancy rates up. Now
the Great Recession is over and the rates have risen to pre-recession
adjusted-for-inflation levels, and to add insult to injury, nuisance
fees abound!
Yes, there are a number of hotels which are more reasonable in price.
Most of these are in second-tier locations and/or are aging properties.
One possible strategic move brought up during Pinkfest would be to
establish a presence downtown, where rates are more reasonable and
venues are much closer together.
For years we've been teased with Special Group Rates which could be
easily beaten with a cold call or a few mouse clicks. With today's
escalating room rates, it may be time to circle back and try this
again. Twice in our history we DID get special rates that did offer
a meaningful saving over the regular going rates. It will, however,
take some initiative and effort. If anyone feels like taking this on,
be my guest, or rather I will be your guest. :)
. . . . . . . . . .
JoAnn responds:
Looking at Annie and Beverly's comments about hotels , pricing, etc---
It would be interesting to get a vote on the top three desired hotels
from the Org Group (without making any list/ suggestions) and then see
if one of us can get a special "deal" for the top vote "getter". This
would not preclude the other three (low-mid-top) ranged suggestions
which we typically provide.
After there is a selection for the "three hotels" we typically defined
as [low cost-mid cost- high cost] then the most central of these hotels
located closest to the Bellegio becomes the "anchor hotel". However,
the anchor hotel [including next door] must have at least 3 events
schedule at it during the Diva week to be the "anchor".
In the alternative, what about having the Exotic Museum [EHM] with an
information desk each day (11am to 1pm) as the anchor? More details
about volunteers, info material, etc. can be forthcoming once this or
another location can be established.
Then as Annie offers --- maybe changing to the Fremont Street area as
the _2nd tier mid-price hotel offering and having our information place
at the nearby LGBT Community Center, again from 11am to 1pm.
Just testing reactions???
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fragrances:
Sara writes:
I really like Robin's suggestion on fragrances and given that I know
many of the Macy's staff in the cosmetics area, I would be happy to try
to incorporate this into the makeover routine.
I can envision this being done in a couple ways: Small group gatherings
where the "fragrance expert" gives a brief talk on the things Robin
mentioned versus individualized consultations in the makeup area, before
or after the makeovers. Perhaps a combination of the two but of course,
the more free samples the better.
I can't tell you how often I've been drawn into buying a particular
fragrance after having been given samples.
The only thing I could not do for Macy's is guarantee even one single
fragrance purchase from our group (unlike the makeovers which have a $50
minimum purchase). However, I'd imagine that there is a pretty good
chance that a few would be sold, especially if it was part of someone's
plan to use this as an opportunity to find their own signature
fragrance.
Again, I will look into this and report back to the group.
. . . . .
Dionne writes:
> How does one decide on a personal scent? Maybe some samples of
> different fragrances.
I think she is talking about the hostess for the Macy's makeovers, but
I'll reply here, anyway. I think this is a good idea but I can't help
with it since I'm allergic to most women's fragrances and men's
colognes.
Sorry
. . . . . . . . . .
Annie responds:
Thanks, ladies. It looks like we can consider this to be almost a done
deal. :)
One suggestion here. The Macy's Makeovers have usually been on the last
day of the event. I would suggest breaking up the makeovers and the
fragrance demos, holding the fragrance session(s) earlier in the event
so those who discover a particular scent can enjoy it and show it off
for at least a few days.
WRT sales anticipation, I would go as far as to commit to purchasing at
least a replenishment of something I regularly wear, if not something
new, to support the people who would be supporting us. I'm sure others
would do likewise.
. . . . . . . . . .
JoAnn responds:
How about designating a couple of the make-over sessions to include
(Part II) fragrances with designated makeover topic... i.e., lip
applications. eye applications... drop the foundation info in these
sessions.. Give some variety on targeted needs..
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Surveying the masses:
Annie writes:
The topics of hotels for DLV and Lunch With, both in the context of DLV
and Pinkfest, were hot topics at last week's Pinkfest. We had a good mix
of regular DLVers, occasional DLVers, and those who have never attended
DLV but are interested. The opinions regarding our shared meals and
hotels were varied and eye-opening.
Ginger and I discussed the two topics quite a bit. We have ideas of what
would encourage people to attend LWG and to socialize more between our
activities, but these are only hunches.
Opinions on Lunch With are divided. Consistency and diversity are two
opposing desires, both which are expressed by those offering opinions
on the topic.
We would like to survey the Teeming Millions on these two specific
topics. Yeah, I know, we did have a LWG survey in the recent past, but
we do have some very specific data points that we would like to gather
regarding these two aspects of our event.
The plan is to present the survey to the volunteer gang here, perhaps as
early as next week, and then to announce it in a general mailing as soon
as it's been given the once-over.
. . . . . . . . . .
JoAnn responds:
Survey is always a good tool. Annie, just be sure to include specific
alternatives to the question.
If a need for an "open-end" questions do it at the end of a topic
section.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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
Sunday, March 22 - Friday, March 27
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 Oct 15 2014 - 07:25:49 CDT
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.2.0 : Wed Jun 03 2015 - 07:09:18 CDT