[dlvorg] Comments, plans for the immediate future, etc. ...

In this mailing:

Org List
Moving along
Topgolf and comments
KKKK scheduling
Keeping in touch and communications
No to check-in desk
Transportation comments
Shooting
Working schedule
Administrivia
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Moving along:

Thanks to all who commented in some rather important areas, and, of
course, to those who volunteered to make things happen. :)

This mailing contains everything received by Monday. Items received
after that will appear in our next ORG mailing.
. . . . .

It's now mid November and (Stateside) Thanksgiving is next week, thus
marking the beginning of the Holiday Crunch (tm).

In some previous years, we would do what was essentially a "freeze" in
planning over the holidays, mainly to avoid losing attention due to
volunteers being busy and distracted by holiday activities and such.

Last year, due to our early event timing and some key items outstanding,
we kept going through the holiday season, but list traffic dropped off
quite a bit.

This year we have our hotels selected earlier in the cycle, the group
rate deal is in a "wheels turning" state, and we'll be holding the
re-registration for the Teeming Millions until the first of the year.

This year, let's plan on not a "freeze" but sort of a "chill" from now
until the first of the year, meaning no votes or key binding decisions
unless they are genuinely time-sensitive, and holding most items until
the first of the year when attention spans will be more focused on
things such as DLV.

We'll still plan on a test batch of re-registration emails to the
volunteers (as in most of you) around the first of December, and we'll
send out updates if any items of major significance come up. Please
continue to watch those inboxes! :) If you don't receive one of these,
please be assured that you're not being snubbed. Any of several reasons,
such as mismatched email addresses, can cause these not to be sent.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Topgolf and comments:

Ladies (and gentlemen), we need some comments on this one, particularly
regarding if we need some kind of a special thing, as opposed to just a
"walk-in" and we do need comments on the price point.
. . . . .

Cami writes:

I just wanted you to take a peek at this.

It boils down to if we can get 32 people to be $60 each for food and
drinks and golf which is not crazy but it's a lot for some people

+Thank you again for your interest in hosting an event at Topgolf Las
+Vegas! It was a pleasure to speak with you earlier today.

+I've prepared the attached proposals. Dates are flexible right
+now but please keep in mind that pricing on Topgolf is more on the
+week-end or the evening. Our website has a cool 360 degree tour of
+the space.

+Link to our menu - http://topgolf.com/assets/uploads/pdf/menus/topgolf-menu-las-vegas-events.pdf

+At this time, I have placed the event space on a courtesy hold for
+72 hours. Please note, we cannot hold space beyond that point
+without a signed Event Agreement and paid deposit. I know it will
+take you some time to make decisions and when you are ready I will
+be happy to check availability for you.

+Thank you again for considering Topgolf Las Vegas for your upcoming
+event and I look forward to working with you.
. . . . .

Aleta writes:

I visited Topgolf shortly after they opened in May and I was very
impressed, I'd recommend an event there.

Personally I don't get how twenty five or thirty people would be needed
to make it work. I can go by myself and get the same great service. The
more the merrier, yes, but I think it could work for any number of
people. A reservation might be helpful, not sure if they do that. But
all I need to do is go to the front desk and present my card for
payment, and play. The best to you on this.

> People who do not golf do not have to be concerned as the way it's
> set up is meant for any level of golf.

Topgolf I found to be very helpful and welcoming, its a very user
friendly way to enjoy the game.

> TopGolf actually might be good for some kind of an "anchor" evening
> activity

I agree.
. . . . . . . . . .

Annie responds:

Thanks, Cami, for taking the initiative on this!

Ladies (gentlemen)? We need some (more) feedback on this. Here are my
comments.

Looking at your numbers and thinking back through our history, 32
participants at an average spend of $60 should be a very easy nut to
crack for an evening "anchor" type of activity.

Overall, this sounds to me like a lot of fun and something that would
make a new and fresh mid-size evening activity.

However, the following note jumped out at me:

+but please keep in mind that pricing on Topgolf is more on the
+week-end or the evening.

Honestly, I don't think we would ever get 32 or more unless it's in the
evening. I can't think of any daytime activity, ever in our history,
that's garnered 32 participants, at any price point. Our people just do
not come out en masse during the day.

Do you (Cami?) have any idea of if and how much those numbers would
change for an evening activity?

One other concern on the pricing. If it's $60 "just to walk through the
door" I don't envision us having 32 people paying that for the privilege
of walking through said door. If it's more like a $60 average spend from
32 or more participants for various food, drink and entertainment
options, I think it's a very easy target.

Also, as was mentioned, do we need a formal arrangement with them? (I
don't know, I'm asking!) :) I'm certain that a place such as TopGolf can
easily absorb 30-some extra bodies on a weekday evening. Would we get
anything special such as a reserved area, price break, special
promotions, etc. by arranging in advance for such an affair?

Comments on this, gang? :)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
KKKK scheduling:

Katie writes:

Hi Gang.

I have done my flight booking and specifically due to price $$, I will
arrive sometime in mid afternoon before the opener on Monday ...
Obviously I will NOT be at Katies Kosey Koffee Korner either Sunday or
Monday mornings. Sunday would never have been an option for me!

(Please note the politically correct Four K's in the abbreviation now so
when briefly referring to KKKK I want to use this from now on). feelings
can be hurt so easily by a simple lack of thought and I am afraid I was
a tad guilty there.

If we want this to continue and not fizzle out before DLV 2017 gets
rolling when the hostess doesn't even bother to show up Hence My
reputation is at stake and I value that a lot then we need someone
reliable to be there on Monday morning. Sunday was never going to happen
anyway and we should not be showing KKKK on that day in the schedule.

This is an easy mini event to run for someone new to hostessing, there
is no more to do than show up and smile a lot. You don't need a ugly big
sign at our table or a recognizable Red dress on (Although I Do quite
like red) Ha! New attendees and the old too need a familiar face or at
least a friendly one. Hopefully I fall into one or more of those that
categories. Someone who is not already involved can ease into DLV as a
volunteer this way! It's quite a good feeling.

So KKKK will run from Tuesday to Friday.. (No Sunday, Monday or
Saturday) Unless someone would like to commit to these days.

There is absolutely no use advertising a time and location then Poof. No
one is there! ..If we want future turnout and a good legacy.
. . . . . . . . . .

Thanks, Katie.

Well, gang, if KKKK is to happen on Sunday and/or Monday of DLV week
this coming year, we'll need one or more Surrogate Katies to cover the
activity.

As Katie said, this is a very easy one, a great one for a new(er)
volunteer and an easy ticket to voting status. We could even rename one
or two sessions to Kathy's Koffee Korner (or whatever) if you would
like.

Please speak up if you would be interested in host(ess)ing the Koffee
Korner on Sunday and/or Monday of DLV week.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Keeping in touch and communications:

Aleta writes:

> Many boomers are indeed becoming (if they are not already)
> tech-savvy, but there are some who do resist it. Our surveys do
> show an increasing share of attendees who are connected to one
> degree or another during the event.

Change is coming, I embrace it, I am neither a boomer or millennial, I'm
just myself.

> Yes, I want to promote the group text thing more this coming season,
> particularly since it was shown to be so handy at Pinkfest.

I'm not familiar with that but I'm interested.

> One suggestion we did have post-Pinkfest was to make the text content
> available via the web as well, and that will happen prior to the event.

I think that can work.

I can see nametags being helpful for event coordinators for visibility
for initial meeting at an event, but as for me, not being in a visible
leadership role, don't be afraid to ask me my name. I'm visible enough
as it is.
. . . . . . . . . .

Thanks, Aleta.

The Group Text thing is basically an "exploder", such that any text sent
to the special address is quickly copied out to all who subscribe. There
are, of course, some checks in place to be sure, among other things,
that text spammers cannot hijack it.

It's also available via email and this year via the web. You can see the
output of the past several messages on line here:

http://divalas.vegas/text/latest.html

What you'll see currently is the "tail" of the messages from Pinkfest
this year, but it's easy to see how it works. For those who subscribed
to the service, the texts appeared on their cell phones.

Yes, I do think that name tags are particularly important for key
volunteers and major activity Coordinators, but I know that they are
very helpful for rank and file attendees. (LOL, it's embarrassing to
have to ask a name over and over, or worse, introducing someone by the
wrong name!) :(
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
No to check-in desk:

Katie writes:

I definitely do Not want a checking desk / table at KKKK or anywhere
near where I am going to be. If this happens count me out.

I hate that kind of thing, it is much too noticeable and I think it is
very unnecessary too!

1 vote for No check in desk ..Anywhere in the Flamingo.
. . . . . . . . . .

Annie responds:

First of all, don't worry, it was never intended to have anything which
is obvious in and of itself, or anything specifically during the KKKK
timeframes.

Gang, we need comments about this.

I went back and re-read the survey comments having to do with check-in
and this (Flamingo) proposal specifically.

+You really need better check-in. We never got to check in and thusly
+never got badges and didn't feel like full members of the group. At
+the Thursday banquet it said there was check-in but nobody knew
+anything about it. Like wise, we would of liked to go on the limo
+ride and the car museum but nobody knew anything about them or even
+who to go to to find out more
. . . . .

+How about this. A sign-in table at the Flamingo. No, not an office
+or suite or anything that costs money. Just have the sign-in lady
+sit at a table out in the Flamingo lobby for one hour a day down
+by the CluB Cappucino and the beer bar.
. . . . .

I do not envision anything semi-permanent at all, and I think that the
suggestion of an hour per day is not really necessary, particularly as
the week winds down.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transportation comments:

> (and I don't know anything about Lyft) ......

Lyft is the same kind of service as Uber, rates and procedures are
basically the same.

https://www.lyft.com/

> This is a relatively new transportation concept, but it really works
> around Las Vegas.

It does work well around Las Vegas, I use it several times a week. And I
also used it in. Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Northern New
Jersey, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle
Washington, DC.

Yes it works well for me, over 150 times and counting.

> RE: Lunches: One of the hassles in Vegas is having to drive everywhere.
> Obviously an issue as u mentioned. However, if venue(s) were chosen that
> we could walk to near the Flamingo, maybe more folks would attend. I
> certainly would.

I'm certainly in favor of walkable activities, it is a good way to go
short distances on the crowded Strip, and Downtown.

As for driving, I haven't driven in six years, except for the occasional
test drive.

> Do we simply recommend using Uber and/or Lyft? Or do we adopt a more
> organized Uber/Lyft sharing arrangement?

I personally recommend using Uber/Lyft. I don't really see a way to make
it more organized, it's just there. Each regular Uber/Lyft car can take
up to four people. It will be up to people to decide if they want to
share and arrange payment. The person requesting the ride is responsible
for the fare through the app.

Another option is RTC Transit our public bus service.

We also now have RTC bike share downtown, I have a monthly pass.

Pedicabs and pedal buses are coming to downtown Las Vegas soon, a city
ordinance allowing for them was passed on November 2.

And of course The Las Vegas Monorail.

There are indeed many ways to get from A to B, it is up to us to choose.
. . . . . . . . . .

Annie responds:

Thanks, Aleta.

Nobody, so far, as come up with anything negative regarding Uber and
Lyft.

However, I'm still drawing mostly a blank as to how we can use these
services to help our people get to our activities. I'm failing to see
how we can, in a practical sense, organize transportation around Uber
and/or Lyft other than just suggesting the service and letting the
people book rides on their own.

Would something like announcing "... all who wish to share Uber rides to
the Bahama Breeze meet in the Flamingo lobby at 5:30" work? (I don't
know, I'm asking.)

Comments?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shooting:

Gina writes:

Shooting Thursday morning 0900
. . . . . . . . . .

Thanks, Gina.

May we assume this is still at Discount Firearms or will you be trying a
different venue this time?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Working schedule:

Diva Las Vegas 2017 schedule
Tentative and subject to change
All times Pacific Daylight Time
PLEASE DO NOT USE THIS AS THE FINAL
AND ACCURATE DIVA LAS VEGAS SCHEDULE.

Sunday, March 26:
     8:00am: Katie's Koffee Korner (Flamingo - Club Cappucino) - ms
     12:00n: Lunch With Ginger (Flamingo Buffet) - ms
     3:00pm: On-site DLV Check-in (Flamingo) - ms
    10:30pm: Late Night Dancing (Paris - Le Cabaret) - ms
 
Monday, March 27:
     8:00am: Katie's Koffee Korner (Flamingo - Club Cappucino) - ms
     12:00n: Lunch With Ginger (Flamingo Buffet) - ms
     3:00pm: On-site DLV Check-in (Flamingo) - ms
     5:00pm: New Attendee Welcome and Orientation (Bahama Breeze) - mv
     6:00pm: Happy Hour (Bahama Breeze) - mv
     7:00pm: Welcome Dinner (Bahama Breeze) - mv
     8:30pm: Meet And Greet (Bahama Breeze) - mv
     9:00pm: Official Group Photo (Bahama Breeze) - mv
    10:30pm: Late Night Dancing (Paris - Le Cabaret) - ms
 
Tuesday, March 28:
     8:00am: Katie's Koffee Korner (Flamingo - Club Cappucino) - ms
     12:00n: Lunch With Ginger (Flamingo Buffet) - ms
     3:00pm: On-site DLV Check-in (Flamingo) - ms
    10:30pm: Late Night Dancing (Paris - Le Cabaret) - ms
 
Wednesday, March 29:
     8:00am: Katie's Koffee Korner (Flamingo - Club Cappucino) - ms
     12:00n: Lunch With Ginger (Flamingo Buffet) - ms
     3:00pm: On-site DLV Check-in (Flamingo) - ms
    10:30pm: Late Night Dancing (Paris - Le Cabaret) - ms
 
Thursday, March 30:
     8:00am: Katie's Koffee Korner (Flamingo - Club Cappucino) - ms
     9:00am: Pistol and rifle shooting (Discount Firearms) - ms
     12:00n: Lunch With Ginger (Flamingo Buffet) - ms
     3:00pm: On-site DLV Check-in (Flamingo) - ms
    10:30pm: Late Night Dancing (Paris - Le Cabaret) - ms
 
Friday, March 31:
     8:00am: Katie's Koffee Korner (Flamingo - Club Cappucino) - ms
     12:00n: Lunch With Ginger (Flamingo Buffet) - ms
     3:00pm: On-site DLV Check-in (Flamingo) - ms
    10:30pm: Late Night Dancing (Paris - Le Cabaret) - ms
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Administrivia:

This is the Diva Las Vegas 2017 organizational list.

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

dlvorg_at_divalas.vegas <--- NOTE: New address, all lower case

Diva Las Vegas 2017
March 26 - 31, 2017 (tentative)
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Archives of this list appear on the web at:

http://www.geekbabe.com/annie/org17arc/

Org Chat Forum is on line here:

http://www.geekbabe.com/dlv/mydlv/mainforum/viewforum.php?f=17

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_divalas.vegas
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Received on Wed Nov 16 2016 - 08:57:07 CST