[dlvorg] Big thanks to those volunteering or responding ...

In this mailing:

Org List
Off to a great start
Las Vegas next week
Date comments
Age comments
Bev's activities
Dining comments
Topical comments
Bev and the Web and things
Administrivia
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Org List:

This is the DLV 2017 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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Off to a great start:

Thanks for the great responses to our kick-off mailing!

Thanks also to those who volunteered, this far in advance, to help out
on things.

Please keep those cards and letters coming, gang! :)
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Las Vegas next week:

I (Annie) will be in Las Vegas toward the end of next week through the
weekend.

I'll be attending the Defcon event (techie) at Ballys/Paris and plan to
drop in on the concurrent Queercon (LGBT techie), running in association
with Defcon.

If anyone who will be in the area would like to get together, I'll
probably be free most evenings, so please feel free to email (annie at
annie dot net) or phone/text (702-xxx-xxxx) to let me know.

Thanks. :)
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Date comments:

Aejaie writes:

While any of the dates work for me personally.

I know March Madness (NCAA Final Four Basketball) will be happening on
Saturday, April 1, 2017 - Monday, April 3, 2017. So that could effect
Saturday, Sunday and Monday Rates as we get closer to the DLV.
. . . . .

Robyn writes:

As always I will tend to lean toward March 19
. . . . .

Dionne writes:

I like the April 16 start, since it's after taxes.
. . . . .

Bob writes:

Looks like late March dates are most viable.
. . . . .

Aleta writes:

> The floor is now open for discussion of the dates for DLV 2017.

I am fine with any of these dates, but then again, I live in Las Vegas.
. . . . .

Annie writes:

As of this time, all of the clear weeks are equally workable for me. I
wish to see a timeframe which will result in a good turnout and a high
degree of enjoyment and satisfaction with the event.
. . . . .

Cami writes:

As for dates, the only conflict I have is around Passover as I I'm the
executive director of a Jewish temple. I've always enjoyed it being in
late March.
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Age comments:

Ginger writes:

> Is there a need or desire to attract more younger attendees to DLV?

Personally I don't care, but institutionally I care a great deal.

If an organization does not attract new and younger members its years
are numbered. To that end I think we need organized advertising that we
have really never had in any effective form tailored to attracting
younger participants.

I am not sure any TG event has ever had effective and organized
advertising. Certainly not BeAll and SCC both of which were large events
I was very aware of. SCC is still going, but if they advertise, and they
say one of the reasons for moving to Ft Lauderdale was for the
advertising the tourist bureau was going to give them overseas, I have
not seen the advertising. Has anyone else?

I don't have a clue about how to go about this other than spamming
various TG boards which I don't keep up with much anymore if they even
still exist. For a few years I tried leaving posters around at SCC and
BeAll to advertise and best I could tell pretty much wasted my time and
money on the effort. Can anyone comment on this?
. . . . .

> 2. How can we adjust things to better serve those of younger ages?

I think our model accommodates younger people, but they may not realize
it.

Now it may be that the typical potential DLV attendee may want organized
active participatory sex oriented events, if that is the case we may not
be for them.

I say we accommodate overtly participatory sexual activities because DLV
allows time for individuals to do their own things outside our schedule
and attendance at DLV events is optional. I think we should point that
out, go do your own thing if you don't like what DLV is offering. Those
kind of things are likely outside the DLV purpose and mission.

It seems incompatible to try to be everything to everyone, as an
example, including significant others and DLV officially sanctioned and
planned sex oriented parties.

I think our policy is pretty clear, but it may not be to new comers,
officially we really don't care what consenting adults wear and do
outside of DLV activities.
. . . . .

Bob writes:

Wildside is the competition for the younger crowd, in Vegas and they
evidently are doing really good at it. I know that several of our
younger girls (20s thru 40s) go there each year, as well as DLV.

We can't compete and why should we? We have our demographic and they
have theirs, which includes some of ours.
. . . . .

Aleta writes:

> 1. Is there a need or desire to attract more younger attendees to DLV?

I don't see a need to target specific age groups, let's just make sure
the welcome mat is out and let things come as they may.

> 2. How can we adjust things to better serve those of younger ages?

I think we need to be more technology aware.

I don't have any hard facts or numbers here. I think I can conjecture
with some correctness that people in younger age groups tend to use
technology more. Examples are, ride share (Uber/Lyft) as opposed to
taxi. Electronic payment (VISA, M/C, AMEX, PayPal, Square) as opposed to
using cash.

FYI, I am 50, and I use no cash whatsoever and I have an iPhone.

I think younger folks are more predisposed to using alternative methods
of lodging such as rooming houses, hostels, Airbnb, VRBO, as opposed to
traditional hotels. And more likely to eat at food trucks, pop up
eateries, upper scale quick serve restaurants, as opposed to buffets and
sit down places.

And I think some may be more likely to consume alcoholic beverages in
brewpubs and craft distilleries as opposed to hotel lounges. Again, I
can't speak with authority, just my back of the envelope conjecture
here.

> 3. Is growth (as in a pursuit of more attendees, of any age, to
> increase the headcount from where it's been over the past 10 years
> or so) a desire that we should act upon?

I always love to see more and new people and also old friends, but let's
not be too concerned with numbers. Quality over quantity I say.
. . . . . . . . . .

Annie responds:

What I'm starting to get out of this conversation is that there is no
specific need being stated to attract more younger folks for the purpose
of simply having a younger age group.

I am hearing a desire, however, to be sure that we have a good supply of
new attendees (of any age, but younger ones are often mentioned in this
context) to keep the participation varied and fresh and to replace those
who leave us due to age/illness, loss of interest, transition, etc.

Aleta brings up some of the cultural factors in play, and the behavior
patterns that have become different with the younger set, particularly
those influenced by technology. Our re-run of the survey data showed
that yes, younger folks tend to be better connected.

Uber/Lyft usage was tracked on this year's survey and did receive a
meaningful number of hits.

We have not tracked AirBnB on our survey, but should probably add it as
an item to be tracked. AirBnB has become very popular with Pinkfest,
since the savings over hotel rooms in Chicago can be very significant.

Are there any other angles on this topic?
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Bev's activities:

Dionne writes:

Dear Bev,

We all acknowledge you are irreplaceable.

I offer to help out with some but not all of your activities.
Specifically, I can help with arrangements and announcements @ Bahama.

I choose not to help with the hotel arrangements, Ruth Chris nor Wild
horses (allergies), though.
. . . . .

Annie responds:

Thanks, Dionne. :)

Remember what they say (the ubiquitous "they") ... be careful what you
ask for, as you may indeed get it. :)

Technically, Katie, as named assistant in 2016, has first dibs on taking
the lead on the Bahama Breeze affair. However, in a few previous cases,
Katie has always respectfully declined to take "first chair" on the
larger activities, so you may indeed have it.

Katie, I know this came up earlier in the cycle than planned, so if you
can please clarify your intents on BB this coming year ASAP we would
appreciate it.

We also have another volunteer for BB (see below) but you (Dionne) are
on record as volunteering first.
. . . . . . . . . .

Sandy writes:

Hello all!

I would like to say a big big thank you all for the efforts that went
into diva it was my 4 th in a row and by far the best!

Beverly congrats on the new baby she is awesome!
 
I will personally miss you next year but understand.

I would be honored to take on the coordination of Ruth Chris dinner
please let me know if you all are ok with this.
. . . . .

Annie responds:

Thanks, Sandy. It looks like you have this one since Beverly is the only
Coordinator on record for the last session of Ruth's Chris.

We've normally done this one as one option on a multi-track evening, but
it may also fit nicely as a second-track option on an "anchor" evening,
for those not wanting to do the Big Too-Doo Du Jour. :)

Please be thinking about how you want to do this, and when we start to
put the schedule together (probably late this calendar year) you can
finalize the timing.
. . . . . . . . . .

Cami writes:

Hi there.

I am sorry to hear that Bev will be not attending next year.

I would be happy to plan the Bahama Breeze and the golf tournament in
her absence.

I also want to add a new event which would be at Top Golf a new Arena
outside of the MGM. Maybe we should explore having this rather than a
golf tournament.
. . . . .

Annie responds:

Thanks, Cami.

I'm actually quite pleased that people are stepping forward this far in
advance.

As for Bahama Breeze (see above), Katie has first dibs on this one and
Dionne has second dibs. You now officially have third dibs, unless you
want to arm-wrestle either/both of the above for the privilege.

As for golf, you most definitely have this one, since Beverly did not
have any named assistants for 2016.

My suggestion to you (and I am not a golfer, so golfers please speak
up!) is that if you want to add Topgolf to the program, you do this in
addition to and not in place of regular outdoor golf.

Golfers, comments please!

Topgolf might be a good broader-interest activity, which would appeal
more to those (like me, maybe) who don't really care to spend the better
part of the day out in the weather hitting balls around. My guess is
that Topgolf would work as either a daytime or an evening activity and
could very easily be combined with a lunch or dinner, depending on the
time you select, and/or a social type of thing.
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Dining comments:

Ginger writes:

> Where did you dine when not with a DLV group?

Yes, we dined out one evening.

A group of four of us who have known each other for years dined at
Sergio's Italian Gardens Restaurant (1955 E Tropicana Ave, Las Vegas, NV
89119, Phone 702-739-1544, sergiosrestaurant.com). It had an excellent
atmosphere and food.

I can see it as a scheduled DLV dinner place one evening, but it is
pretty far off the strip and probably has no feasible public
transportation option.
. . . . . . . . . .

Katie writes:

As for other dining done with the girls.

Mid week the night of the erotic heritage get together a small group of
us who were not interested in EH night out dined at McCormick and
Schmicks on Flamingo Rd, Just West of the Bahama breeze and it was
beyond my expectations.

The cost was not through the roof and the service was excellent and well
above the norm. We went from there to see *Vegas The show* which was
quite entertaining. Although the stairs leading up to the theater were a
bit less than user friendly.

Two of us also did the breakfast buffet downtown at The Fremont Casino
and even though it was not anything to write home about, It is
spotlessly clean and the food is always nice there and brecky is brecky
anyway and should not be upwards of $20 as the Strip hotels seem to be
aligning themselves with and then nothing special to show for it.. The
price was around $6:00 with The Connected card and for those who are not
familiar with the Fremont Buffet, The dining room has those nice quaint
Vegas style half round booths for 2, 4 or six and it is a very
comfortable experience to do brecky there.

On Monday morning two of us (A different two) also did the breakfast
buffet at Silver Sevens. (Formerly Terribles @ Flamingo and Paradise
Roads. The price is $5:00 with the Ace Card. $6 without and the staff
are terrific!

The food is general brecky fare and nicely prepared with Spanish
overtures which I like anyway. It's a 5 minute drive from the Strip and
well worth looking into for breakfasting during DLV or any other time
too.
. . . . .

Aleta writes:

> During this year's event, or during any recent DLV, where did you
> dine when you were not dining at a DLV activity?

At home.

> Also, did you dine solo? With other DLVers? With others who were not
> part of DLV? Etc.

I only dined solo at home.
. . . . . . . . . .

Thanks, ladies! :)

Let's please hear from more of you regarding where you dined when not
with the group. We promise that by mentioning the venues, we will not
immediately jump on you to coordinate an activity there. :)
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Topical comments:

Ginger writes:

I am giving some responses to the issues which follow:

> Is growth (as in a pursuit of more attendees, of any age, to
> increase the headcount from where it's been over the past 10
> years or so) a desire that we should act upon?

I think we should always be attractive to our core audience.

Maybe that is something we need to consider. Who is our core audience?
This may also go to Question #2 above.

I think we have been inclusive, but as TG life becomes more acceptable
to society and spreads to mainstream venues all over it may be changing.

I personally enjoy knowing others from the community who range from
casual cross dressers to those fully transitioned, but it does seem we
are getting more who would identify as occasional cross dressers maybe
afraid to go out to mainstream venues where they live, but I may be
wrong about this.

I know Annie collects statistics on attendees and it might be good to
see who we are attracting and if it has changed over the years.
Comments?
. . . . .

> Significant others.

For a few years Bob hosted a luncheon for significant others. I'm not
sure how well that was attended. My SO who has now accompanied me for
several years enjoyed it, but did not see it as essential to her DLV
experience.

The luncheon may have had the same issues of non-attendance that Lunch
with Ginger seems to have. I think the main thing is to get the word out
that significant others will have plenty of like company and won't be
singular objects of curiosity.

The pattern I see for all of these issues and needs is an organized
advertising campaign other than word of mouth. I don't have a clue how
to go about this. I would be happy to help with advertising if someone
has the expertise to organize an effective campaign within our budget
which is pretty much nothing.
. . . . . . . . . .

Annie responds:

Yes, we've been keeping data on the self-identity labels our people use
for well over a decade. Here is a quick peg count covering the last
three years and how many survey responses we received for each of the
following:

Crossdresser: 103
Transgender(ist): 44
Transwoman: 18
Transvestite: 14
I do not identify with any of the above labels: 14
Transition track, No-op: 8
Transition track, Pre-op: 7
Bigender: 5
Gender-nonconforming: 4
Transition track, Post-op: 2
Admirer: 1
Friend of the community (or ally): 1
Self-identified woman: 1
Significant other: 1
Drag queen: 0
Friend of another attendee: 0
Genderqueer: 0
H Benjamin Syndrome: 0
Intersex: 0
Pangender: 0
Self-identified man: 0
Transman: 0

Two labels which have shown an increase over the years are
Transgender(ist), over several years, and Transwoman, over the past few
years. Transvestite has fallen off somewhat but is still holding in
there despite it being considered outdated. We have not had a single hit
on Drag Queen for a number of years.

Bona fide transition track folks have always been in the minority but
they have always been represented in meaningful numbers.

Many of the more contemporary labels are down in the single digits or
zeroes.

One of the first TG events I was ever involved with as an organizer
rented a mailing list, or rather paid for an "approved" mailing using
the snailmail list of an early TG boutique operator (L.B., not M.S. for
those who remember) and got a very good response.

I don't think this would be an option today. Back in those days there
was a MUCH greater demand for opportunities to dress and I admit I do
not know of anyone who keeps much in the way of snailmail lists anymore.

One thing I am going to do next week is to take a stash of brochures
with me when I drop in to Queercon. I don't know if there will be any or
many there who will be receptive, but I know that will hit a much
younger segment of the LGBT community. I plan to "read the audience" and
pass them out if I think anyone may be receptive.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bev and the Web and things:

Katie writes:

Hi Girls.

I am sad to hear that Bev has made the decision to not be with us next
year. I knew that she was thinking along those lines but hoped as time
passed she would reconsider. We move on though as we always have done
and I am sure we will rise to the occasion in fine D L V fashion.

Is there a time line for the piccies to be on MY DLV? I have been
looking to see if they were up yet and just wondered what form the
presentation will take.
. . . . . . . . . .

Annie responds:

Yes, Bev will be dearly missed! A couple of activities will be covered
by volunteers, but there are others not spoken for so far.

As for the timeline of the web this year, late August is the planned
target, somewhat earlier than in previous years.

Plans are for a set of rich photo pages, with individual view counters
and comments, some for specific activities, others for general people
type shots, which do get significant amounts of hits.

Speaking of activities, this year we received very few golf photos, and
golf will most likely end up being grouped on a more general activity
page unless someone quickly sends in some stragglers! Out of over 2000
photos, only a relative handful were of golf this year.
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Administrivia:

This is the Diva Las Vegas 2017 organizational list.

One address for all items regarding this list, additions, removals,
changes, submissions, questions, etc.:

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Diva Las Vegas 2017
Dates announced autumn of 2016
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

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Received on Wed Jul 27 2016 - 13:02:13 CDT