[dlvorg] Feedback needed! Hotels, dates, activities, and yes, Jenner. ...

In this mailing:

Org List
Feedback requested please
Date selection
Important question for the volunteers
About Volunteering
Date comments
Jenner comments
Hotel suggestion
Hotel and Las Vegas visit
Activity comments
Figures often beguile me
Administrivia
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Org List:

This is the DLV 2016 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.
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Feedback requested please:

We have a couple of items which need your feedback. One appears
immediately below, the other in a section farther down.

First of all, hotels ...

We REALLY need feedback on our hotel offers, please!

We have two impending offers, both of which may involve some risk of
personal funds. All of those involved need some insight and guidance
regarding if and how to proceed.

Specific questions are:

1. What will your personal plans for DLV 2016 most likely involve:

a. Take advantage of group rate at Flamingo, $60-ish (plus resort fee).
b. Take advantage of group rate at Super-8, $35-ish (no resort fee).
c. Flamingo or Super 8, but not using our negotiated rates.
d. Other Las Vegas accommodations.

2. With the availability of this lower rate, how likely are you to "jump
ship" from the Flamingo to Super-8 due to the lower cost?
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Date selection:

The date discussion appears to be winding down.

Furthermore, the ad-hoc "Jenner Committee" is not recommending that we
delay the date selection process in anticipation of Jenner availability
or lack of same.

We'll keep the floor open for one more list cycle for further date
discussion. If nothing earthshaking is received by next week, we'll call
for a vote on all of the candidate weeks which received at least one
favorable mention in discussion.
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Important question for the volunteers:

The ad-hoc "Jenner Team" requests your input and feedback on the
following issue:

Should Ms. Jenner not be available to us, due to any reason, should we
pursue a "backup" or "alternate" for a scheduled keynote address to the
DLV 2015 attendees?

Would you, personally, attend a "reception and keynote" featuring a
non-Jenner speaker?

Would you be willing to pay a modest amount (no more than $20) to attend
such a function?

Your comments and feedback are requested. Thanks!
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About Volunteering:

(As a point of clarification, the item quoted in last week's ORG mailing
did not refer to Diva Las Vegas. It was in regards to another TG event.)

Vera writes:

Yes, sometimes it does not suffice to say "I offered my help in whatever
way possible but no one ever called... I think the group is cliquish"...
Honey, our group is far from cliquish.

If you have an idea or want to help, or see something that needs
changing and you can do that or offer specific ideas that might help,
well honey.. spit them out. Put them out out there. That's how things
get done here in DLV. Take the bull by the horns and run with it. I'm
sure you can find a way to help but please be more specific.... the best
and easiest way to help is to host an event.

Most events usually have a hostess and a co-hostess. Some may require
helpers. That could be your chance to get involved. Just let that person
know you can help by checking in people, seating folks (if that is
required), etc.

Any experience doing such tasks might help you too. But you need to
state that. Unless you know someone who is hosting an event and you
want to help her, and she recruits you, then probably the only other
alternative is to go solo and host an event as I suggested. That's what
I did and that's how I got involved with the organizing group. There is
a lot of room for newer and innovative ideas to make our DLV experience
better. The possibilities are endless!
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Date comments:

Dionne writes:

One more thing to consider for when to schedule DLV 2016 is after the
April 15th tax filings. We have tax professionals and procrastinators
among us.
. . . . .

Aleta writes:

I'd personally prefer to go on the early side. The late May timeframe
could potentially have some issues with the beginning of the hot season.
Could be an issue with outdoor activities.
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Jenner comments:

Michelle (NV) writes:

I can remember I came "out" at DLV 2004. I was scared as heck, and I
still have some anxieties. Having paparazzi around Cait Jenner would
have driven me into a hole. If we have novices, they would be scared
away.

At the same time, another group to which I belong has made a contact
with Cait, and she is very warm, but --yes!-- she asks for a huge fee to
make sure she does not get surrounded by bozos. But she is very
congenial and interested in us ladies, as we likely have more experience
that she does. She definitely is aware of the anxieties and suicides
prevalent in out community.
. . . . .

Aleta writes:

> Obviously there is no way we will be able to come up with that
> kind of cash.

True.

> Another approach which is currently being discussed is to use
> a "back door" contact to try to get to Jenner directly and
> convince her to do a "Pro Bono" community support type of thing.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm not foreseeing that as a possibility.

> Wheels are turning.

Would be nice but I surmise $$$$ would be involved.

> There will be the opportunity for an up/down vote if the
> trigger is to be pulled on a Jenner appearance at DLV.

I don't think I have a vote, due to my not having put together an
activity, but I'm really not in favor of this. There could be a lot of
unwanted collateral attention. I like my space.

> Regarding Caitlyn Jenner, nice gesture but I'd be shocked if it
> happened. And don't forget, where she goes, so goes the paparazzi.
> I'm not sure our group is equipped to handle THAT much public
> attention.

I think you're right, and I wouldn't want that kind of attention.

> As far as Caitlan Jenner, I applaud the thinking outside the box
> but I am opposed to the idea of drawing that kind of attention to
> us especially if an appearance fee is involved.

I feel reasonably sure $$$$ would be involved.

> I would say absolutely No to this idea. My guess is that the wrong
> element will be following close behind {Cait} and I don't want to
> take the chance that I might be wrong!

Katie I think you're right on this. ...
 
Thanks for speaking, I see confidence and authority here.

> I personally would stop coming if it turned into a media circus
> and/or a horny admirers drooling opportunity.

DLV should always be a space where we can feel reasonably safe from
prying eyes.

> I guess I would not have made a very good choice for alternate
> would I? lol, Don't worry I will not run for anything again for
> what should be obvious reasons. being an attendee is enough for

Let's remember who we are as people. We don't need a celebrity to
validate who we are. Let's focus on getting to know each other.
Celebrity appearances are usually one time things, but DLV is long
lived and ongoing. Let's work with what's easily reachable for us.
. . . . . . . . . . .

Thanks, ladies.

As of this time, the Jenner Team is pursuing a "back-door" method of
making contact, but there is nothing to report. We'll keep everyone
informed of anything significant.

Word on the street is that SCC has booked Jazz Jennings, and the local
(Ft. Lauderdale area) press has stated that Jenner was indeed invited to
their convention next month. Jenner does not, however, appear on the
current working SCC schedule.

Film at 11. :)
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Hotel suggestion:

Michelle (NV) writes:

Here's a hotel suggestion. The Mardi Gras on Paradise Rd (under the
monorail) is a place I used to stay before I moved here. The rates are
from $60-75/night. They have rooms right on the parking lot which is
helpful for those who lack a lot of confidence. (This place used to be
the Best Western Mardi Gras, but they are on their own now.)
. . . . . . . . . .

Thanks Michelle.

Would you (or any other proponent of this hotel) be willing to contact
the management regarding special rates for our attendees? More
importantly, would you (or any other proponent of this hotel) be willing
to coordinate this, in a similar manner to what's being done at the
Flamingo and what may be done at the Super-8?
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Hotel and Las Vegas visit:

Dionne writes:

> I'm assuming that this is the big Super-8, adjacent to Ellis Island
> on Koval, behind Bally's. Is this correct?

The Super 8 address for these quotes is: 1213 South Las Vegas Blvd, Las
Vegas, 89104.

I had a face-to-face meeting with the hotel Manager on Aug. 15th. to
confirm these rates.

I have stayed at this hotel for my previous 4 visits to Vegas and have
been pleased with these basic accommodations. This one is in the North
end of the strip but both hotels are about 1.5 miles from the Tram.

So, if attendees are taking a cab, the fare should be the same to hop on
the Tram. I can compare the rates with the Koval location but I think it
will be higher.

> Are you, Dionne, willing to pick up this ball (group rates at Super 8)
> and run with it?

I researched and proposed this hotel option with the assumption I will
coordinate it. I request some guidance on this, though:

First, the proposed DLV 2016 week of April 3 doesn't work for my
schedule. So, if that week is voted and chosen, I'm not able to join the
group next year.

Second, from Bev's experience, how much of this coordination effort is
before the event and how much during the event? I'm OK with coordinating
before the event, even if the Apr. 3rd week is chosen but couldn't help
during the week.

Third, for 2015, I was the hostess for 6 events. My week went by too
fast, I missed several events, like pinball and some quality time with
my DLV friends. I seek to have a better balance for 2016.

During DLV week, what is the schedule for my efforts here (ie:
mornings?, via phone?, On Call? & etc.)

In general these room rates do Not require a deposit so no upfront
monies are needed. Should we not fill up the minimum 10 rooms, the price
per room goes up slightly (~$5) (or I could speak with the hotel Manager
if we are close to the minimum.)

> At this point in my life I enjoy spoiling myself and having a nice
> room in a nice luxury hotel with casino and choices of dining on
> premise. I really enjoyed everything about the Flamingo last year.

I 1000% agree with this philosophy. My budget requires I spoil myself
more modestly, like having my nails done. It's pure girl time in a girls
domain and frivolous since they only last one week.

> If this offer comes to fruition, it could be our key to getting
> "more people" and "more younger people" to our event by significantly
> lowering the total cost of participation.

I think more & younger participation has more moving parts than a low
cost hotel rate. This is just one part of a complete breakfast that
includes all aspects of the cost of attending. For example, PF Changs (I
don't mean to single out Sara's event here) has two locations and I
understand the menus are the same except the prices are better at the
Paradise location.

I suggest we set a goal to find all opportunities to reduce cost at
every event.
. . . . .

I'm in Vegas this week, staying @ Super8, scouting for dance places,
meeting with hotel manager and Bare Minerals. I'll report when I return
home.

Also enjoying the hottest day of the year, 111'F.
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Annie responds:

Thanks for the clarification, Dionne.

This sounds like a more informal arrangement than what Beverly has been
doing at the Flamingo.

I do not foresee any on-site "watchstanding" or any on-call duty.
Beverly's contact people did attend (at least) one session of KKK but
I don't envision the need for any similar participation at a smaller
property.

Now to all:

Dionne has indicated that she has a hard lock-out for the week of April
3rd.

Even though Dionne has agreed to do the preliminary legwork on the
special rate at Super-8, her absence would require that we have someone
available as a go-between, should face-to-face contact between the
management of Super-8 and the DLV leadership be necessary.

Also, if Dionne is not able to attend, we will be in need for others to
take on various planned activities, such as those involving EHM and the
Bare Minerals shop. Please consider things like this when making your
date selection vote.
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Activity comments:

Aleta writes:

> One complaint we had at the Artisan (yes, among others) was the high
> cost for food and drink at the most recent volunteer session.

I've not been to this specific event. But I'm really not feeling good
about the Artisan. The food wasn't bad but I really found their service
lacking. I've not found them to be good at serving large group meals in
a timely manner. And they refused to give a good friend of mine a glass
of water at the bar.

The Artisan isn't particularly easy to access. It's quite a long way
from the nearest bus stop.

>
> In recent years, the cost for the High Tea has been in the $40-50 range
> per person. Is this what we want for a "Volunteer and Prospective
> Volunteer" session? (I don't know, I'm asking, comments please.) Will

I've never been to the High Tea. I love a good high end meal just as
much as the next person, maybe more. But let's be accessible to as many
people as possible. Blue Ox anyone?

> The menu is desserts and appetizers off the menu at the Wynn.

I do like Wynn. I've been eating at Wynn since setting foot inside on
opening day in April 2005. Which venue would this take place in. I
personally enjoy the drugstore cafe for my $7 hot chocolate, though
seating is scarce. For a regular meal, I enjoy Zoozacrackers. Next to
the sports book.

> Bowling anyone?

Brooklyn bowl maybe?

> How about doing a First Annual Diva Las Vegas Invitational Miniature
> Golf Tournament the night of the real golfing even or the night of the

Mini golf would be nice. I can't play regular golf if my life depended
on it. Let's make sure the mini golf venue is near public transport, as
I do not have a car.

> Possible daytime activity for next year... has Bingo ever been done?

I personally don't like bingo but if the bingo people would let me I'd
enjoy coming along for the ride and having some cranberry and tonic.
It's a good idea worth looking into.

> Thank you Sara, for hosting this P.F. Chang's again.
> Would you consider the 4165 S. Paradise Rd. location?

I've not been to the DLV PF Chang's dinner. But I have been to the
Paradise Rd location. I had a very good experience there. Silver Sevens
(formerly Terrible's is across the street as is Bahama Breeze. 108 and
202 bus lines stop right nearby. I'm personally not a big fan of Planet
Hollywood, and no monorail stop.

> We've done bowling and mini-golf, but not in recent years. All it takes
> for these to happen is for someone to do a modest amount of web-legwork

There's lots of good bowling in Las Vegas. Most if not all are attached
to casino resorts. Brooklyn Bowl is convenient, they charge by time
lanes are used as opposed to games played, I think.

The Orleans bowling facility has always been a good place for me. I
think they have a military discount.

> If this coming year we can indeed get two special rates, one at a full

I'm local here so I'm not foreseeing needing a hotel room. But keep up
the good work. In an age of rising hotel rates and fees anything that
helps reduce overhead is a good thing. I just might be tempted to get a
room for myself for a night or two, as DLV can be a little tiring and a
place to take a nap would be a good thing.
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Figures often beguile me:

Figures often beguile me... Mark Twain

> Of the 58 who answered that particular question, 23, or
> about 40% of the respondents said they had used the offer.

I differ with your calculations for this ratio. Take 23 who answered
they took advantage of the hotel offer and divide by the total # of
attendees ~ 108 yields 21.3%

Taking just the number of respondents narrows the population and skews
the ratio.
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Annie responds:

We may have to agree to disagree on this.

I've never heard of using the entire target population instead of the
sample size as the denominator when computing percentages such as this.

The only information we have came from the 58 who answered this
particular question. Whether or not those who attended but did not
answer the question took advantage of the offer is totally unknown
to us.

I also don't know where the 108 number came from. Our total attendee
count for DLV 2015 is 133, assuming no more stragglers report in.
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Administrivia:

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One address for all items regarding this list, additions, removals,
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Received on Wed Aug 26 2015 - 07:12:14 CDT