[dlv] Diva Las Vegas 2009 ...

[External Poster]

This is the Diva Las Vegas 2009 announcement mailing list.
This list contains only announcements and high importance items.

If you no longer desire to receive this list, see list removal
instructions below.
. . . . .
In this mailing:

Looking forward to DLV 2009
Big Sisters
Suggested hotels
Room sharing
Ride sharing
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Looking forward to DLV 2009:

Welcome to those who just joined the list. Plans are moving right
along for Diva Las Vegas 2009.

If you just joined the DLV mailing list, please review the recent
"kick-off" mailing on the web at:

http://www.geekbabe.com/annie/dlv09arc/0004.html

This contains a lot of very important information regarding the
upcoming DLV 2009!
. . .

The DLV organizers are showing a lot of enthusiasm and energy in
planning this year's Diva Las Vegas. We'll have a good mix of
new activities, some new twists to some of our recurring things,
and a few old favorites.

Of special note are such things as a Night At The Movies featuring
the to-be-released new Star Trek feature, Pajama Party, Theater
Night featuring Jersey Boys, an evening at Minus-5, pistol/rifle
shooting, and a special Murder Mystery dinner and interactive
performance, starring YOU!
. . .

A few notes moving forward:

This mailing contains several items which are often times
overlooked and misunderstood, which can really make a big
difference in your enjoyment of Diva Las Vegas.

One item in particular, if you will not be driving a vehicle,
please be sure to read the notes on ride sharing below. We
had some major misunderstandings on this last year.

Many who have not attended Diva Las Vegas assume and expect
something similar to Fanfair/SCC/Be-All, etc. DLV is totally
different!

Diva Las Vegas does not have a central "headquarters" hotel,
and each day's schedule is different, each day's activity
locations will be different.

There are also a lot of timeslots in which multiple activities
will be happening.

You will want to make plans in advance and have a good idea of
exactly what you want to do, where, and when, and exactly how
you are going to get there.

DLV tends to be very fast-paced, and those who are not aware of
how things work at DLV can easily get lost in the dust. No, the
world is not gonna slow down to let somebody catch up! :)

DLV is a lot of fun, but it can be very intense, and you will
want to be up to speed, so to speak, when things begin.
. . .

Newcomer registration for those who are on this list will begin
in about two weeks. If you are reading this via e-mail, this
includes you. Instructions on how to register will be sent in
our next general mailing.

A few important notes about registration:

1. When you register, very shortly you will receive a validation
e-mail. IN THE EVENT YOU RECEIVE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING AFTER
YOU REGISTER, SOMETHING IS WRONG AND WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT IT!

Please report any non-receipt of the validation e-mail. Each
year, unfortunately, we run into a few cases of this.

2. You will need to respond, as indicated to the validation
e-mail. This assures us that you have read it (if you reply
without reading it, it will be painfully obvious) and understand
a few things, and that e-mail works both ways between you and us.
. . .

Returnee re-registration is open. If you did not receive a
personal registration link (or, if you just want to do things
the hard way) use the URL:

http://www.geekbabe.com/dlv/register2009.html
. . .

Latest numbers:

As of this time we have 89 validated attendees signed up. This is
compared to about 80 at this time last year. I think it's safe to
say that we no longer have to worry about a poor turnout this year
due to the economy, the timeframe, or anything.

It's still too early for any kind of a final headcount projection.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Big Sisters:

If you're new and a bit uneasy about attending and appearing in
public, here's how we can help.

It's natural to be nervous before heading to an event such as
Diva Las Vegas, particularly if you've never been out before or
if you're new and don't know any of the others yet.

Big Sisters are volunteer DLV veterans who are standing by to
help as needed, either prior to DLV, or during DLV.

Big Sisters are intended mainly for those who are new and don't
have much public exposure, or those who may be feeling a bit
uneasy about the upcoming trip, but Big Sisters are available
to anybody who wants one.

If you haven't been out in public at all, if you're new to public
exposure, your exposure has never been in the mainstream before,
or if there's any reason you feel uneasy or uncertain about the
upcoming trip, the Big Sisters are here to help, either before
DLV, during DLV, or both.

Before DLV, if you would like to correspond with somebody
one-to-one about concerns regarding DLV, just send a brief
note to bigsister@geekbabe.com and say that you would like
to get in touch with a Big Sister. Examples of concerns might
be questions that you don't feel comfortable asking on one of
the mailing lists, request for an honest fashion critique,
etc.

If you are uneasy and can't get the nerve to walk out of your
hotel room (this has happened), phone us, we'll have a Big
Sister meet you, assure you, and escort you if necessary.

If you're new and don't know any of the others at DLV, the Big
Sisters will gladly introduce you to the others and help you
get acquainted.

If you would like to be put in touch with a Big Sister, just
send a note to bigsister@geekbabe.com and we'll get you in
contact with one.

Also, if you have attended DLV in the past and would like to
volunteer to spend some time helping others, please say so and
volunteer to be a Big Sister. (Just reply to this mailing or
e-mail bigsister@geekbabe.com and state you would like to
volunteer to be a Big Sister.) The primary qualification is
the desire to help others.

You can also sign up to have a Big Sister, or volunteer to be a
Big Sister on the web as you register.

If you have any questions or concerns about any aspect of the
Big Sister program, Nora, our Big Sister Coordinator, invites
you to contact her directly at: cadnild@aol.com

Big thanks to Nora for coordinating our Big Sister Program!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Suggested hotels:

Diva Las Vegas is not centered around a particular hotel. You, as
a DLV attendee, are free to stay anywhere you wish. We do make
suggestions on where to stay, for those who want to know where
DLVers in the past have reported good service and attitude, and
for those who wish to stay in the proximity of other DLVers.

These suggestions were determined by a vote of the DLV Organizers
Group last November and December.

Further information on these suggested hotels appear on the
web at:

http://www.geekbabe.com/dlv/dlv2009/2009hotels.html

Ratings and comments on some of these appear on our Big List on
the web at:

http://www.geekbabe.com/dlv/vendors/

Here are our suggested hotels for DLV 2009 (in alphabetical order):

Alexis Park: This is an upper-midscale resort-hotel located
off the Strip. This would be good for those who want a nongaming
hotel and for those who do not wish to walk through a crowded
lobby or casino.
. . .

Gold Coast: Gold Coast is a mid-size midscale casino-hotel
located west of the Strip. This is the first time we've used
the Gold Coast for a suggested hotel, but we've had attendees
stay there over the years with no reported issues.
. . .

Imperial Palace: Large midscale casino-hotel dead-center on
the Strip. Location! Location! Location! DLV people stayed at
the Imperal Palace for each and every year of DLV since 1997.
Low-rise rooms are available as well as tower rooms, for those
who may be a bit shy of elevators and a crowded hotel lobby.
. . .

Paris: For those who wish a more upscale option, this is it.
The Paris is the first major casino-hotel to actively market
to the GLBT community. Again, Location Location Location!
Please be aware, however, that even though the staff of the
Paris promises tolerance and acceptance, it's still a very
large casino-hotel and the public areas can be very crowded,
and full of people of all backgrounds and all attitudes.
. . .

Sahara: This is a large legacy casino-hotel on the north Strip
which has been home away from home for DLVers since the 1990s.
Historically, the Sahara has attracted the largest contingent
of DLV attendees since the early 2000s.
. . .

St. Tropez: A low-rise "all-suite" midscale nongaming hotel.
Off-Strip, in easy walking distance to the Hard Rock and Alexis
Park. This is a good choice for those who wish to stay away from
the larger casino-hotels and the crowds.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Room sharing:

This year, getting the most for the money is particularly
important for many of our attendees!

We're very aware that lodging will be the greatest expense for
most of you attending DLV. Sharing a room two ways cuts this
expense in half, in one third for three to a room, and 1/4 for
four in a room.

We have a Roommate Clearing House for DLV 2009. You can either
contact our Room Share Coordinator via e-mail at:

roommate@geekbabe.com

.. or sign up to participate in the Roommate Clearing House
when you register on the web.

When you sign up for roommate matching, we'll ask you a few
questions, such as if you smoke, if you (knowingly) snore,
things like that, in order to make better matches.

On the roommate screen there is also a large blank area into
which you can put any comments or concerns you may have. For
example, you could say something like "I don't care about
smoking or snoring, I just want the cheapest room!" if that's
what you want.

One important caveat! The Roommate Clearing House is a good
faith effort on all parts with no guarantees! Roommates assume
all risks. Please have a contingency plan. Your Room Share
Coordinator, as well as other DLV organizers and volunteers,
will not be responsible if a roommate fails to show, fails to
pay, fails to make reservations, does not get along with you,
or in any other way things don't work out.

Big thanks to Diane for coordinating the Roommate Clearing
House! :)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ride sharing:

Unlike most other TG events, Diva Las Vegas does not happen in
one central location. Most attendees will need to get from their
hotel to the locations of DLV activities.

For those who will not have a vehicle at DLV, there are several
options. One of these is to share a ride with others who will
be heading your way. (At the riders' own risk, of course.)

We will again be coordinating ride sharing and publishing a
list of volunteer drivers and those who will be needing rides.

Fortunately, for the past several years, we've had far more
available seats than riders who needed them. We thank all of
our previous and future volunteer drivers for helping make DLV
more enjoyable to those without wheels.

If you will be needing a ride to DLV activities, please be
sure to check the appropriate box when you register so we
can get you on the list and help get you matched up with one
or more of our volunteer drivers.

Also, if you will have a vehicle and would be willing to give
rides to others heading your way, please check the appropriate
box when you register.

One thing we do need to mention, and this has been a trouble
spot from the very early days of DLV up to and including last
year. Please do not expect the DLV contact people to find you
a ride at short notice! We can almost always help you find a
ride if arrangements are made IN ADVANCE, but when a major
activity is just getting underway, we simply do not have the
resources to drop everything and find you a ride. Your
understanding and cooperation are appreciated.

Another important note, and yes we hate things like this as much
as you do, but if you accept a ride from another during DLV,
please do so only under the condition that it's totally at your
own risk!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .