[dlvorg] Schedule review, hotels, downtown, etc. ...

In this mailing:

Org List
Schedule strategy
About downtown and related items
First schedule review
The name tag situation
Date comments
Resort fees and hotels and such
Garden Party
Downtown
Working schedule
Administrivia
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Org List:

This is the DLV 2018 Organizational Mailing List (dlvorg_at_divalas.vegas)
Replies to this message will be forwarded to the DLVORG list and not
the DLV-Announce or DLV-Discuss list.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Schedule strategy:

Our first yearly schedule review appears below.

All of the items that are "certain" or better in probability of
happening and that have definite days and approximate timeslots have
been included.

Our next job is to set up the overall strategy for each day and evening,
and notes are included below.

All volunteers should now be thinking about activities to fill out the
schedule, in particular what YOU want to coordinate. See notes below.
. . . . . . . . . .

Date issues:

Two negative comments have been received regarding the dates. They
appear below. These appear to both be one-off personal conflict issues
and not general issues which would affect significant numbers of our
attendees. If you have comments on this, please do so within the current
list cycle as the clock is ticking on the one-month CFC.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
About downtown and related items:

Annie writes:

Let's discuss the downtown situation from two perspectives:

1. Activities downtown.

2. Staying downtown.

For the past few years we've had our opening afternoon and evening
centered around downtown.

Unfortunately, many of our attendees who were in town on that day did not
venture downtown to join us, for any of various reasons.

We're proposing for this year that we do not specifically designate a
day or evening downtown, but encourage those volunteers who wish to
host(ess) activities in the downtown area to do so, and if possible
cooperate to allow a segue from one activity to another in the vicinity.
. . . . . .

Yes, the bottom-line cost for hotel rooms can be lower in the downtown
area, and yes, there are several non-downtown off-Strip hotel options
which are cheaper than the center Strip and do not have as many of the
nuisance fees as do the center Strip hotels.

What we would like to do is to encourage as many of our people as
possible to stay in the vicinity of the group. This encourages and
facilitates the maximum level of interaction and participation.

We have three proposed hotel options in the immediate vicinity of each
other, and within walking distance to several planned activities as well
as one of the major gatherings.

Something for (almost) everyone. A lower-midscale hotel (Flamingo) with
negotiated rates for those who want bang-for-buck, a step-up (Bally's)
for those who want a bit nicer room without paying a queen's ransom, and
a higher end place (Paris) for those who want it and can afford the
ransom of royalty. :)

Yes, there will be a number of our attendees who either genuinely can't
afford the higher Strip room rates, along with the various taxes and
nuisance fees and such.

There are also some who are thrifty of mind and could afford the Strip
but want to use their $$$$ for other amenities.

For all who have a need and desire to avoid the Strip due to the higher
bottom-line cost of staying there, we want to promote ONE and only one
lower cost alternative, to avoid having the bulk of the non-Strip folks
scattered from Henderson to Summerlin!

I agree with Cami that we really need to promote community and
cohesiveness this year. One way we can do that is to encourage everyone
to stay where they can be part of the community without any significant
back-and-forth transportation issues.

Another way to promote cohesiveness is to encourage sharing of rides,
which is more important now that we have the burden of parking fees at
most Strip properties. Saving the cost of a rental car can make up the
difference between staying downtown and staying at the Flamingo!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
First schedule review:

Let's go over the schedule, day by day and timeslot by timeslot by
timeslot, focusing on overall strategy and looking for any potential
trouble spots.

Lunch With Ginger is a placeholder. It can be Lunch With **YOU** if you
so desire. This is an easy one, and great for a new(er) volunteer. If
you want to KISS, just name a place and agree to be there and welcome
the others, no busy work involved and it counts toward voting status.

First off is Sunday.

+Sunday, April 15:
+ 12:00n: Lunch With Ginger (tba) - ms
+ 3:00pm: Afternoon Social (Carnaval Court) - ms
+ 10:30pm: Late Nite Dancing (tba) - ms

Cami has seeded the Sunday daytime schedule with an afternoon social on
the central Strip. This sets the stage to do Sunday as a ramp-up day and
multi-track evening, replacing our recent years' downtown day for the
opening Sunday.

Other daytime and evening activities and evening dining options will be
needed to round out Sunday's slate of activities.
. . . . .

Monday will be our first main-track day, but it will be an arrival day
for quite a few, as history has shown.

+Monday, April 16:
+ 8:00am: Katie's Kozy Koffee Korner (Flamingo Club Cappucino) - ms
+ 12:00n: Lunch With Ginger (tba) - ms
+ 10:30pm: Late Nite Dancing (Paris Cabaret Lounge) - ms

Please note that only the place-holders are in place. No other Monday
items are listed as being planned at this time.

Dionne, who coordinated the Bahama Breeze, has the first refusal rights
for this coming year on Bahama Breeze or a similar single-track maximum
attendance activity.

Dionne? Will you be doing this again or exercising your right of first
refusal. :)

Morning and afternoon are wide open.
. . . . .

Tuesday is penciled in as one of our multi-track evenings with the
committed activities placed.

+Tuesday, April 17:
+ 8:00am: Katie's Kozy Koffee Korner (Flamingo Club Cappucino) - ms
+ 12:00n: Lunch With Ginger (tba) - ms
+ 5:00pm: Happy Hour options (various) - ms
+ 5:00pm: Cami's choice (tba) - ms
+ 5:00pm: Annie's choice (tba) - ms
+ 6:00pm: Dining options (various) - ms
+ 6:00pm: Cami's choice (tba) - ms
+ 6:00pm: Annie's choice (tba) - ms
+ 10:30pm: Late Nite Dancing (Paris Cabaret Lounge) - ms

Other that the two planned HH and dining activities, the day is open.

Tuesday has often (but not always) been our golf day. Cassandra, do you
want it on Tuesday or do you want to consider other days this coming
year?

Golf will attract a fair number of our people, but not nearly all of
them, so there's lotsa room for about anything else, daytime or evening,
on Tuesday.
. . . . .

Wednesday is Tabula Rasa.

+Wednesday, April 18:
+ 8:00am: Katie's Kozy Koffee Korner (Flamingo Club Cappucino) - ms
+ 12:00n: Lunch With Ginger (tba) - ms
+ 10:30pm: Late Nite Dancing (Paris Cabaret Lounge) - ms

Daytime is wide open. Mid-week has proven to be best for larger daytime
things. Most everyone is up to speed and not yet burned out. :)

Wednesday evening would be very good for what we call an "Anchor"
evening, where one midscale activity (NSD, EHM, Limo, whatever) serves
as an "anchor" and other alternate-track evening activities offer other
options for those not wishing to do the featured Activity Du Jour.
. . . . .

On Thursday we have some already-committed activities which includes the
second major gathering.

+Thursday, April 19:
+ 8:00am: Katie's Kozy Koffee Korner (Flamingo Club Cappucino) - ms
+ 12:00n: Lunch With Ginger (tba) - ms
+ 2:00pm: Topgolf (Topgolf) - ms
+ 6:00pm: Happy Hour (Off The Strip Bistro) - mv
+ 7:00pm: Farewell Dinner (Off The Strip Bistro) - mv
+ 10:30pm: Late Nite Dancing (Carnaval Court) - ms

We also have Topgolf, which most likely will draw a larger crowd than it
did in 2017.

Thursday morning is also wide open.
. . . . .

With our second major gathering on Thursday, Friday has proven to be
a wind-down day over the past few years, but a strong one at that.

+Friday, April 20:
+ 8:00am: Katie's Kozy Koffee Korner (Flamingo Club Cappucino) - ms
+ 12:00n: Lunch With Ginger (tba) - ms
+ 10:30pm: Late Nite Dancing (Paris Cabaret Lounge) - ms

No matter what we do, we'll always have some who bail on Friday, due to
either the higher room rates on Friday evening or other personal
desires. This makes the multi-track option for Friday a very good
choice, with a few HH/dining options and two or more postprandial
options on Friday evening.
. . . . . . . . . .

All, this is the time to step forward! It's time to go on record as to
your commitment to coordinate activities, and to name them and place
them on the schedule.

You don't have to have the details solid as of this time. Just "I want
to do a dinner on Tuesday" is adequate at this time.

If you're not certain that your ideas would be popular or well attended,
write in and we'll give you feedback and advice.

If you have no clue as to what you would like to coordinate, ditto, just
write in and suggestions and advice will be coming.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The name tag situation:

Annie writes:

I need feedback on this idea, please.

I think I have a good solution to the name tag issue and I would like to
hear any reasons why this plan would not work.

Basically, it involves giving all attendees the option of either
printing the tag insert at home and brining it with them, or getting one
in real time at check-in.

I recently returned from a photo industry show, and one type of products
that were featured were smaller portable printers which are, literally,
purse-sized. (Well, suitable for the size bags that some of us carry.)
They are inexpensive and typically do a maximum size of a 4x6 photo, a
postcard-sized document, various sticky labels, etc.

This would allow the on-demand printing of tag inserts for those who
want to receive a pre-printed tag insert, as well as for those who might
intend to print one and bring one but forget or neglect to do so.

This scheme eliminates all of the wastage, as well as much of the bulk
of what needs to be carried around to do check-in. It also zeroes out
all of the busy work needed to prepare and print tag inserts in advance.
That is a win-win-win! :)

I'm thinking of having the tag images preloaded on an SD card or memory
stick, with online backups in case something goes wrong, to make the
printing fast and without any cables and such.

As far as the design of the tags themselves, I am envisioning something
very similar to that used by Vera and Dennis the last several years,
with a boilerplate design and the name printed in a distinctive font.

The one option I'm thinking of, which is simple to do, is to allow the
inclusion of a small "avatar" photo for those who want them, or the
default of the DLV "Jellomold" logo for those who do not. The easiest
would be to use the MyDLV avatar. The individual QR code would be
printed on a fold-over section as has been done in recent years.

This would all be done on a 2.5x6 field, with a "fold here" line at the
3.5 inch point as well as "cut here" lines on the online version which
would be assumed to be printed on standard letter-size paper.

Can anyone think of any reason why this would not work?
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Date comments:

Shelly writes:

I am out of town this week during these dates every year so I'm hoping
you can change the dates to either a week before or week after would be
greatly appreciated thank you.
. . . . .

Diane writes:

My wife and I will be able to make DLV if the dates are one or two weeks
earlier. Just a big wish. We really want to attend again. Been twice
over the years. Thanks.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Resort fees and hotels and such:

We've had a number of various comments come in on the general topic of
hotels, resort fees, etc. ...

Delaney writes:

Another source for resort and parking fees. BTW, I've seen three
different tax rates cited on resort fees, 8.1, 12, 13.34 %, I don't know
which is correct.

https://www.lasvegasdirect.com/las-vegas-hotel-resort-fees/
https://www.lasvegasdirect.com/las-vegas-parking-fees/
. . . . .

Marisa writes:

(FYI) Orleans and Gold Coast have free shuttle to the strip for guests.
Orleans is hosting Rockabilly weekend, beginning Thursday of DLV for the
poodle skirt enthusiasts in our group!

Suncoast is a nice locals casino about 10 miles west of the strip.
. . . . .

Joan writes:

> As a 'local' I avoid The Strip at all costs. Even when I did work I
> minimized how I traveled across Las Vegas Blvd. I hope this helps in
> people planning where groups will stay.

Resort fees are actually taxed at the same rate as the hotel room charge
itself.

https://lasvegassun.com/news/2016/aug/01/chasing-the-room-tax-percentage-tack
ed-on-to-touri/

Here is an interesting file about hotel tax in Clark County

http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/business-license/Documents/Gen%27l%20Info%20Guid
e%20for%20TLEs%20Jan%202012.pdf

The files uses the term Accommodation Fees, I presume a more formal term
for resort fees.

A file with the room tax rates for properties in unincorporated Clark
County, which includes much of what we know of as The Strip.

http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/business-license/Documents/March%201%202017%20Ro
om%20Tax%20by%20Location%20010417.pdf

Caesars is now charging for locals to park.

https://lasvegassun.com/news/2017/oct/27/caesars-entertainment-begin-charge-l
ocals-parking/

> As long as the demand for LV hotel rooms remains as strong as it is,
> we can expect such fees to not only remain, but increase.

It's possible, but the market can bear only so much.

> It's been suggested that we be very straightforward and upfront with
> our potential attendees regarding the presence and magnitude of the
> fees.

We should, no one likes surprises that cost more than reasonably expected.

> ... but I don't think we need to go to the extent of overtly drawing
> attention to the issues or "rubbing one's face" into the fees.

Simple awareness is a good thing, no need to belabor the point
excessively.

I don't get wound up over resort fees, the total cost in the end is what
matters.

There are places that don't charge resort fees, namely a lot of non
gaming hotels outside of the gaming corridor, but then again, there is
the cost and time of getting to the events and back.

I don't think going off Strip would work. Personally I don't really like
going to the Strip, when I do go, I try to go on weekdays during the
day. You really can't beat the Strip for convenience. While you could
save on hotel room charges by staying off Strip, part of that would be
eaten up by transportation, and traffic can cause a short ride on a bus
or in a car to take quite a bit longer than normal.

Resort fees are a fact of life, best to just look at the bottom line,
that's all that matters in the end.

> Sharing rooms is one way that the cost of lodging can be significantly
> reduced, but it's never really caught on with the DLV crowd.

I'm not really foreseeing room sharing catching on. I do have a roommate
at home, but on the road I like my own space, I'm not really keen on
sharing the bathroom.

> AirBnB has proven to be popular with Pinkfest, but has seldom been
> mentioned in association with DLV. Is this something we want to look
> into a bit more? (I don't know, I'm asking.)

I think AirBnB is still very new in the minds of many, just as with
rideshare or bike share. I've still not done AirBnB. I like the
principle of it, it's another means to spend the night. I'm not sure
it's for me at least at this time. I like my own bathroom and I'm a
pretty heavy user of towels and soap, more than an individual host might
want to deal with. I also like having an elevator available.

> Over the past three years, our attendees have reported spending an
> average of just under $150 for local transportation.

I must admit that comes as a surprise to me. It costs me about $100 a
day to rent a car in Las Vegas, that includes all of the add ons such as
loss damage waiver and extra liability, I take those out as I do not
have a car of my own. And then there is the cost of gasoline, and now
parking on the Strip. So I use ride share instead and also the city bus,
my reduced fare monthly pass is $32.50, which I use on the RideRTC app.

> If we can encourage more ride sharing, including all modes such as
> private cars, taxis, and Uber/Lyft, we can most likely help our
> people save a significant portion of what they spend on local
> transportation.

As I said, I use Uber/Lyft quite a bit, especially during DLV, and also
the city bus, and at times the monorail, locals ride the monorail for $1
per trip, up to two of the one dollar local tickets can be purchased per
day.
. . . . . . . . . .

Annie writes:

Before I forget, I think that the Rockabilly activities at the Orleans
deserve consideration for inclusion into our schedule. It will probably
require some research as to in what ways our people can participate
without registering for some kind of weekend-long affair.

Anyway ...

It's now November so we want to have the suggested hotels finalized and
sent out to the Teeming Millions very shortly.

It appears that we're settling on the slate of hotels as Flamingo,
Bally's and Paris as scaled Strip options and Four Queens as the one for
those who want or need a lower-cost option.

Let's keep the floor open for one more list cycle for hotel comments and
suggestions. It appears that we're mostly on the same page regarding the
Strip suggestions, but not so much as to the Four Queens.

If you wish to propose any other hotels, please be very explicit as to
why we should consider alternate choices instead of the Four Queens (or
any of the others) and how those alternate choices would help us meet
the objectives of community and cohesiveness.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Garden Party:

Sherry writes:

It appears the last Garden Party, (Which was before my DLV time), was at
a private venue? We had something similar at WildSide around a hotel
pool. It was a total blast! There was lots of mixing with vanillas
around the stage when the DJ played dance music, for those were
interested.
. . . . . . . . . .

Cami responds:

Sherry

Well if indeed the garden party really is a afternoon pool party then
let's call it that. I know Vivas pool party is quite popular. Doesn't
require a lot of work. Sherry would you mind hosting this and we will
find someone to help you?
. . . . . . . . . .

Annie responds:

I think there may be some confusion here.

The original Garden Party was a very low-key and laid-back morning and
early afternoon thing. Social only. Yes, there was swimming a couple of
times but that was just part of it and not the focus.

I described the Garden Party one year as "A relaxing morning complete
with kids, dogs and neighbors." :)

Typically there was food, hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill, as well
as whatever anyone wanted to bring. (Such as Peeps.) :) :)

Of course there were beverages, both potent and benign.

The spinoff discussion of a Pool (swimming, not billiards) Party sounds
like it would be a higher-key later-afternoon or evening thing with more
of an emphasis of partying than relaxing.

Personally, I think both of these are viable and not mutually exclusive,
and that we should move forward with plans for both, assuming we have
the volunteers and the means to make them both happen.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Downtown:

Katie writes:

Hi.

Just a word of encouragement for those who would like to stay in
Downtown Las Vegas.

I have stayed there several times and always go there at least once
during a Vegas Vacation. The last time I visited Fremont St was Labor
day weekend of this year.

If you are staying there alone then it will be costly for rides up to
the strip 2 or three times a day to the various event locations we will
have planned and likely will not be worth it .

On the other hand, If there will be Three or more of you staying there
then ride sharing, EG:-- 4 in a cab (To avoid drinking and driving)
will be very reasonable and the dining is enormously cheaper in the
downtown area than it is up on the Strip. Example $30:00 (low End) or
more for a dinner buffet on the strip and as compared to $15 Downtown (
a breakfast is also enormously cheaper too ) The restaurants in the DT
casinos are by far cheaper than the strip places are. so if 4 or more of
you dine Downtown and then go to party on the strip it will be well
worth it to stay there.

Also it is rather a nice experience to grab a quiet coffee early morning
downtown and wander up and down Fremont st. and you can get lost in a
crowd in the evenings here too if that is your thing.

Another selling point would be. No Resort fees at The Fremont Hotel. The
Four Queens, The California hotel and Main Street Station. which
automatically saves you $30 per day and the hotel rates will be far less
too!

Parking is usually charged for but refunded if you are staying there so
if you have a rental car or your own vehicle That will be a saving for
you too.

It will be a minor inconvenience to stay in Fremont Street and if price
is what you are looking for it will be worth it.

A cautionary note. You will also have to plan your day and night
excursions carefully so that you will arrive on time to destinations up
on the Strip as it is at least 20 minutes drive or 35 - 45 min's on the
bus ($20 for a Three day bus pass) which takes you Anywhere in town
the Cat bus system goes to!

I am not encouraging anyone to stay on Fremont Street as I will be at
The Flamingo myself but I have found that Downtown Vegas as opposed to
up in Clarke county IE:-- The Strip is always a pleasant stay.

Hopefully we can post this somewhere and help someone decide where they
would like to stay.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Working schedule:

Diva Las Vegas 2018 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, April 15:
     12:00n: Lunch With Ginger (tba) - ms
     3:00pm: Afternoon Social (Carnaval Court) - ms
    10:30pm: Late Nite Dancing (tba) - ms
 
Monday, April 16:
     8:00am: Katie's Kozy Koffee Korner (Flamingo Club Cappucino) - ms
     12:00n: Lunch With Ginger (tba) - ms
    10:30pm: Late Nite Dancing (Paris Cabaret Lounge) - ms
 
Tuesday, April 17:
     8:00am: Katie's Kozy Koffee Korner (Flamingo Club Cappucino) - ms
     12:00n: Lunch With Ginger (tba) - ms
     5:00pm: Happy Hour options (various) - ms
     5:00pm: Cami's choice (tba) - ms
     5:00pm: Annie's choice (tba) - ms
     6:00pm: Dining options (various) - ms
     6:00pm: Cami's choice (tba) - ms
     6:00pm: Annie's choice (tba) - ms
    10:30pm: Late Nite Dancing (Paris Cabaret Lounge) - ms
 
Wednesday, April 18:
     8:00am: Katie's Kozy Koffee Korner (Flamingo Club Cappucino) - ms
     12:00n: Lunch With Ginger (tba) - ms
    10:30pm: Late Nite Dancing (Paris Cabaret Lounge) - ms
 
Thursday, April 19:
     8:00am: Katie's Kozy Koffee Korner (Flamingo Club Cappucino) - ms
     12:00n: Lunch With Ginger (tba) - ms
     2:00pm: Topgolf (Topgolf) - ms
     6:00pm: Happy Hour (Off The Strip Bistro) - mv
     7:00pm: Farewell Dinner (Off The Strip Bistro) - mv
    10:30pm: Late Nite Dancing (Carnaval Court) - ms
 
Friday, April 20:
     8:00am: Katie's Kozy Koffee Korner (Flamingo Club Cappucino) - ms
     12:00n: Lunch With Ginger (tba) - ms
    10:30pm: Late Nite Dancing (Paris Cabaret Lounge) - ms
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Administrivia:

This is the Diva Las Vegas 2018 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 2018
Dates to be determined
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Received on Thu Nov 02 2017 - 04:56:55 CDT