Prelminary DLV 2010 attendee survey results, part 2 ...

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This posting is from: Diva Las Vegas
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This is the second portion of the DLV 2010 attendee survey
report. This consists of the textual comments. These are
presented with minimal editing.

Some items were rearranged to place them in the most
appropriate category.

The comments are presented in the following categories:

1. Activity suggestions.
2. New venue suggestions.
3. General comments.
4a. Behavior and dress comments.
4b. Restroom comments.

Activity and venue suggestions will be presented to the ORG
group. If anyone wishes to get involved in making any of
these happen, please write to: dlvorg@geekbabe.com and say
you wish to volunteer to help with any of the suggestions.

Additional comments and suggestions are always welcome, and
yes, replying to this posting is an appropriate method of
input of such.
. . . . . . . . . .

1. Activity suggestions:

We need more variety by more hosts.
. . . . .

M resort should be on the map again 2011 you missed a great
night out in a fab place. The girls that did come out had a
fun time and we will do it again weather or not it will go
into the event schedule.
. . . . .

We need to add the Chinese restaurant stop to the Limo Tour...
yummm. :-) Guess who?
. . . . .

The City Center has some wonderful locations for photos and
there may be a way to include it for a larger activity next
year. Although it was free, the public art is spread out and
didn't lend itself to a good tour without a lot of walking.
This worked best with small groups, which we had.
. . . . .

I would like to host a Mexican Restaurant dinner.

Let's try the Roller Derby Boot Camp again. I did go and see
the trainer and explained to her who we were and the people
that made up our special group, and she thought it would be
fun to have us, but her work schedule fluctuates so I would
have to be constantly communicating with her the closer we
get to DLV 2011.
. . . . .

The Luv in at the M resort was so wonderful I wish more people
could have enjoyed the event so I hope to host that event
again next DLV 2011 if I may do so. Oh and The Power Exchange
. . . . .

Joe's was fine after I slipped the maitre d' a $20. Joes's
refused to bill individually and that caused some major
unhappiness. I'd just as soon find a replacement for them
next year. The Paris Buffet redeemed themselves this year
and went out of their way to accommodate us and get a Five
Star Rating!
. . . . .

You need to have a buffet lunch each day like you used to
have. Not that many people like Sushi for lunch. I only made
it to two lunches and I could have made it on Friday.
. . . . .

Pool party
. . . . .

Please Please Please make the registration/online process
less cumbersome and ridiculous!
. . . . .

Some of us go to DLV because the dates are really close to
a NAB expo show. Please try to keep that way to will be next
year!!!
. . . . .

Night of the Soiled Doves. Poorly managed and then cancelled.
You need to figure out the logistics sooner and better.
. . . . .

Resurrect the Arthur Murray Dance lesson
. . . . .

I would replace Joe's with some other more accepting upscale
restaurant. An agenda for the bar crawl would be great as I
tried to find it after EON and never did.
. . . . .

I attended 4 different shows and loved all of them, and missed
DLV activites because of this, maybe have someone lead going
to these shows as it was very important to me
. . . . .

I wish the limo tour had been on a different night than the
Murder Mystery event as I would have liked to attend both
(I attended the Murder Mystery event and loved it!).
. . . . .

Change the Bahama Breeze venue if restroom facilities are
not corrected.
. . . . .

I found that the activities later in the week seemed to wind
down rather than increase. I work hourly and usually come
later in the week and miss some of the more interesting
events. Why doesn't Divas last over the last weekend?
. . . . .

fashion show should not be organized, just mentioned as
available to see
. . . . .

Maybe some overlap with the NAB convention. As soon as the
NAB activity was over we looked for some friends to go on
some adventure in the area.
. . . . .

The wig Sergio outlet back of lot where Harmony is located.
great prices on wigs. and dlv would be welcomed for sure.

Fantastic indoor swap meet on decatue blvd. was fun pace to
visit and buy cheap stuf.
. . . . .

I think DLV should go the entire week and not end on Friday.
. . . . .

Gambling nite! Swimming party! Power Exchange!
. . . . .

There were many members in the group that were not friendly
to me when I met them at the Imperial Palace. When I asked
for a ride to see the Frank Marino show, I contacted the
coordinator Nora. She was very rude to me. She told me "No,
I won't give you a ride and if you read your email you wouldn't
be asking for a ride from any DLV person due to legal issues!"
. . . . .

have the boat tour have som group breakfasts more tours
lunches but not these all you can eat things
. . . . .

I wished the happy hours could have lasted longer. :) Also,
I'm a local, and had to work or was too tired to go to most
of the activities. :(
. . . . .

I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all your
labors and energy given to this event.
. . . . .

I enjoyed the Frank marino show. Maybe so great music at the
Palazzo with Jersey boys.

Also what I liked so much abouth the Frank Marino show is that
had the opportunity to sit together. I originally signed up
Viva Elvis but changed because of assigned seating.
. . . . .

Morning breafast or coffee.
. . . . .

Fashion discussion and demonstrations. Make-up demos.
. . . . .

Better instructions on getting to events and to parking
structures would have saved us a lot of time.

Having events scheduled close together didn't give us time to
go back to the hotel and change for the evening so we skipped
some DLV events that we had wanted to attend.

Being new to DLV and watching the e-mail traffic, we were
disappointed that there wasn't much specific info (description,
approx. cost, etc) about events until the sign-up process. This
would have been very helpful. I'm still not sure what the pity
party is so we didn't sign up for it.
. . . . .

Longer limo ride. It was over before you know it. Some fashion
advice from a main-stream image consultant or department store
fashion maven. Less dependency on the CD boutiques. They don't
have what I want to learn how to wear. More main-stream
make-over lessons. I heard the one at Fashion Show was great
and sad I didn't sign up for it.
. . . . .

I think you did very well at providing a multitude of
activities that accomodated a huge spread of experience
and comfort levels of the attendees. Good job!
. . . . .

The Motown show at Imperial Palace. Longer happy hour.
. . . . .

Bring back the Lake Mead Steamboat Ride.

Golf need to be on a day that doesn't follow a major event
night before.
. . . . . . . . . .

2. New venue suggestions:

The Stratosphere Hotel is a wonderfuly nice place to stay and
I wish the attendees would give it a chance and find that it's
truly a fun and clean and well priced place to stay and enjoy,
plus the wonderful TG friendly staff. (Please add it to the
list of hotels next year)
. . . . .

We went to dinner at SW at Wynn's it would be a great activity,
but most attendees would whine about the cost.
. . . . .

Yes.

1. Went to the disco at the Paris two nights earlier in the
week. It was relatively quiet.

2. Had dinner at Mon Ami Gabi at the Paris Tuesday night -
group of 7. Very good, no issues.

3. Did the outlet mall, south, one afternoon, with no issues.

4. Toured City Center, including Crystals, with no issues.
. . . . .

I have yet to see it, but it sounds like the Rio Carnival in
the sky might be fun. I've always missed it in the past and
it was "dark" this year during our visit. Maybe someone
familiar with it could comment during the run up to DLV 2011.
. . . . .

I went to Bally's and Saraha's late night dancing and they wer
fun with bigger dance floors
. . . . .

OMG the Power Exchange! What a riot! I think we had a 12 to 15
DLV ladys show after the Pity Party and Wow now that was fun.
I would love to host that as a future event. tastefuly as
possible to be sure! indubitably in a manner and degree that
DLV would approve.
. . . . .

Leatherby's Ice Cream Parlor- Ice Cream Social
. . . . .

We use DLV as an excuse to go shopping at thrift stores - I'm
not sure how that could be an organized activity, but maybe
providing a list and/or map of the stores would be helpful
to other attendees
. . . . .

I think clubbing can be really nice... a group of 25-40 years
old woman to go out to some club.
. . . . .

The Vanity Club girls went to Komol's. Chose that because of
the great experience last year at DLV
. . . . .

Lion King Legends Donny and Marie
I realize the shows change but I think most shows would be great
. . . . .

Komols
. . . . .

Three of us went to the Orleans. It was nice.
. . . . .

Las Palmas is know to have gang activity on the weekends. The
police have been called there many times.
. . . . .

I missed the Hoover Dam boat ride that I went on with DLV
members in 2008 and 2009. We also enjoyed by ourselves Madama
Tussaud's wax museum!
. . . . .

I went to the Fashion show mall on my own to look at some
stores as well have lunch there.
. . . . .

batistas hole in the wall
. . . . .

Strings (very good italian cuisine) is very accepting,
gracious service and reasonable prices. But limit the group
size to accomodate their capability.
. . . . .

For first timers to Vegas they may enjoy a tour of Vegas.
Ceasars palace and shops. Bellagio, Mirage, Paris (Eiffel
Tower). Probable no heels on this tour.
. . . . .

We were warned not to go to Spotlight this year due to gangs.

That neighborhood is getting rough. Same for Las Palomas. It
might be safe in the daylight, but after dark that
neighborhood ffeels unsafe.
. . . . .

Top of the Rio Dinner - Dance
Flea Market on Decatur is a blast - Friday
. . . . .

We went to the erotic history museum (which really is a
museum). I am a GG and was with 2 tgirls. The employees at
the museum actually work with the TG community in LV and were
extremely friendly and encouraging.
. . . . .

Ellis Island steak and BBQ rib special. Erotic Museum and
Power Exchange.
. . . . .

The food venues were absolutely fantastic this year. McMillans,
PT's, Trevi's, Bahama Breeze were my favorites.
. . . . .

Light show downtown
. . . . . . . . . .

3. General comments:

All the best darlings I had the most wonderful time and can't
wait till next years event/Vacation with my new/old friends.
Thank you all so very much.
. . . . .

I am a Las Vegas local. Unfortunately I was at work during the
time most activities were taking place, and got lost once.
. . . . .

I wish my personal circumstances allowed longer attendance, but
then again, my down the following week might be worst!
. . . . .

I just have one scheduling question; why some events so late
in the afternoon? The Art Tour, eg. It makes for a rea time
crunch, re dressing for the evening. Was there a specific
reason for this? I would have done it, but it would have
given me too little time to change.

Otherwise, another really great event. My only regret is
that I had to leave early.
. . . . .

I've been to DLV for several years now and walking in to
Firefly and seeing so many familiar faces was the best
feeling ever. I knew this was the reason I was there, not
just a chance to crossdress in a public venue, but to be
with friends.

This year's Limo Tour was a hit for me and I'll put it near
the top of the list of 5 or 6 that I've been on! The stop
at the Venetian was great, probably because the mimes weren't
there and we found that great group who wanted to talk with us.
The hike down Fremont street to the 4 Queens was great as well.
The southern bell attracted quite a bit of positive attention
and I honestly didn't expect that when I first saw her there
for the tour. I'm glad she was there. We could probably cut
back by one bottle of Champange in the car. This is two years
in a row someone has left with an unopened bottle.

The management at Joe's Stone Crab decided we needed to be in
the board room away from the general public. It worked out well
enough, but was a bit of a slam. The waiter also refused to
help break the check down so we could pay as individuals. Two
girls left the place when they found this was to be the case,
and I don't blame them. While the rest of the service and
food was excellent, I won't return.

I was at a couple of events where one of the attendees wasn't
ready to be en femme for the day. They were made comfortable
and accepted into the activity and that was great both for
them and the rest of the group.
. . . . .

Again the ladies who have been doing this hte longest were
very cliqueish. And even when we approached them they were
cool and not interesting in new people. We saw at a lot of
venues ladies come in and leave becasue they did not know
what to do and I feel like the hostess's of the events should
have been more aware of this. We had lots of people at this
DLV and I would hate ot lose new comers
. . . . .

these are good questions and a good size/length of questionaire.
doesn't take too long to answer yet provides a good overview for
the general experience.
. . . . .

Estimated cost section should include cost of rental car, which
is usually my biggest expense, and for me this year added $550
to the total for the week (the Collision Damage waiver really
jacks up the rental rate).
. . . . .

I was pleasantly surprised at this year's DLV. Some of the
pre-DLV discussions were somewhat contensious. And to be
honest, I was concerned about Firefly as the opening event.
I'm delighted to admit my fears were unfounded snd the event
was a success by any measure.

I do want to see the Hostess program beefed up ans expanded
next year. Those that participated found it to be positive.
. . . . .

We had a great time, sad to see it end. Thanks
. . . . .

The events I attended were done well and I had a wonderful
time. This was a wonderful opportunity to meet other ladies
and learn of their lives and experiences.

Holly did an incredible job with the Murder Mystery and I was
very pleased with the experience. Amy at Glamour Boutique was
extremely helpful. Although they were not part of DLV, I
would also like to mention Isabel Costa and Stephanie Danderson.
Both were very helpful and were able to answer alot of questions
about activities, dress, locations and suggestions for DLV.
Thank you for a wonderful experience and I hope to attend again.
. . . . .

If I had been on time the events would have been better for
me so I can not critisize them. However for first timers it
is important to remind them to be sure to plan for plenty of
preperation time.
. . . . .

I'd really like to see the group pictures revert back to the
old way..when they were taken after the final dinner party.
That seems to be when the majority of our group is together.
. . . . .

Everything seemed to work out just right. Great to renew old
friendships and make knew ones.
. . . . .

Please make this process less cumbersome and redundant!
. . . . .

Thanks for all your work, was awsome!!!!
. . . . .

This was my first time to DLV or any such venue tho have
gone to meetings, dinner, movies, and traveled with my
husband en-femme for over 30 yrs. "She" has been to Fantasia
Fair several times in the past & we've talked about other
venues but this was the first time timing was right for us.

I thoroughly enjoyed an opportunity to meet people from all
over, hopefully making friends we'll contact as we travel and
can reconnect with until the next DVL.

We were both quite impressed with the planning that went into
this event. Everything, from our side, went smoothly - and
years ago I planned events, so I'm partially aware of your
endeavors. A HUGE THANK YOU to all!

One suggestion: is there a way to designate on the name tag
the hostess for an event at the event? THis way, for "newbies"
it's easier to ask questions, or to say "thank you".

We hope to see you next year - and maybe in the interim at
other events.
. . . . .

Economy cost us venues (Blue Ox) and helpers, but we could have
gone through Saturday. It costs MORE to fly home on Saturday
than Sunday
. . . . .

Always look forward to DLV. Wish it happened twice a year,
once in the fall and once in the spring, even if the fall
version is scaled down.
. . . . .

One dear gurl is unfairly blamed for the collapse of one event,
she didn't have anything to do with. It was bad planning and
overpriced. This back-biting and blame-casting, and this is
not the only example of it, is going to kill Diva. Cut the
crap, gurls.
. . . . .

What a wonderful, wonderful week! From the warm welcomes on
Monday to the sad good-byes on Friday. I truly enjoyed every
minute and was sad to see it end. My sincere thanks to all
who worked to hard to put this on. xoxox
. . . . .

There were many activities to choose from, mainstream or
alternative, different price ranges and different comfort
levels. The loose structure of DLV allows anyone to taylor
there week to anything that they want. That is what separates
DLV from all of the other TG get togethers. I'd bet that most
of our attendees had no problem finding something to do on
their own in Vegas. Thanks for a great DLV. See you all next
year.
. . . . .

The Monday night dinner at FireFly in the Plaza Hotel: Our
table was the last to get our food; the kitchen lost our order;
we waited over an hour before the waiter discovered this; the
waiter himself prepared and delivered my food; my food arrived
15 min after the group photo shoot; I am not pleased with this
arrangement at all. We did them a huge favor by having to
que-up for drinks ourselves, so they didn't have to service
each table and we still paid full price for the meal. Food
was good when I was finally served. The place was too small
for that large of a group from a safety (emergency egress)
aspect.
. . . . .

i had a problum with my age as i am only 20. At one of the
events i was ID'd and asked to leave but after i just went
to the grop and sat down thay desided after a Bit to let me
dance again. the next day i went there and thay had no probum
with me but the person who ID'd me asked one of my friends if
she should call me a guy or girl.

all in all every thing was grate and i do understand why she
asked seeing she ID'd me the day before.

Next year i will be 21 so i woun't have to wory :D
. . . . .

Problems with thsi survey.

1. What do you mean by the difference between Crossdresser,
Transgender, and Transvestite?

2. What do you mean by comfort at the events?

3. For money, you need more specific ranges for answers. Much
to broad.
. . . . .

Thank you again. Great week.
. . . . .

It would have been nice to have the opening dinner at the
Hard Rock, it sounds like a large group went there that night
and had a private room and alot of fun. If I would have known
this I would have bagged the Firefly thing as the food is
mediocre.
. . . . .

Thank you again so much.
. . . . .

I had such a wonderful time and met so many great people at
DLV! I am a community leader and will be telling my groups
about DLV to enjoy more people to come with us next year.
My sincerest thanks to all who made DLV possible. As for
the DLV hotesses that we met, everyone was very sweet and
helpful. Thank you Annie, Nora, Marissa (great events),
Suzanne and to all the others!!!!!!!!!!
. . . . .

Great event. Lost of friendly girls. Great restaurant
selections. Good food all the way.
. . . . .

Why were comments about Glamor Boutique deleted. There were
more of them there before Diva.
. . . . .

Had a great time and came home very tired!

Thank you!
. . . . .

Monday Firefly: Awesome
Tuesday Joes: Sucked
Wednesday: Trevi: Awesome

Pity party and jam session were identical. No differrnce.

Friday: Bahama: Great. Better than last year by far.
. . . . .

We thought the FireFly was a wonderful place for the Welcome
party..... wish I would of got up to mingle more and meet more
of the girls (I was abit nervous being first time there and an
admirer). However one of the volunteers went from table to table
to introduce herself and make sure everyone was having fun or
answer any questions you may of had. That was a very comforting
nice touch *Bravo, and thank you to all that put in the work
that made DLV happen*. All the people we met during DLV were
very nice and I do hope our dates line up with next years DLV
and we are able to attend more events.

Thank you for letting my husband and self join in.
. . . . .

A suggestion is to provide the first 2 or 3 bars (instead of
only the first one) or an intinerary for any of the bar crawls,
and for the group to remain at the first location for about 1
hour or so. Two of us attempted to join in the Tuesday
Alternative Bar Crawl. Unfortunately, we were about 30 minutes
late arriving at the first location. The group had already left
for the next location and we did not know where they went. We
would have joined the group at the next location if we knew
where to go. Also, having a list of the order of the bars
would allowed others to join in sometime during the evening
if the starting time or place would not work for them. While
it was our fault for arriving late, I was surprised at how
quickly the group left the first bar.
. . . . .

I skipped last year but this was my 5th overall. Best Diva of
all time!

Glad to see you finally got it together with the big events.
Very nice to get to meet all the others.
. . . . .

Diva #3 for me and the best ever! Thanks times 1000!
. . . . . . . . . .

4a. Behavior and dress comments:

I thought the people were suppposed to be completely male or
completely female. I saw a number of ladies who were not
presenting as female at all. I do not know what to say or
who to ask about that. This made a few of the mainstream
activities a little uncomfortable
. . . . .

Slack-off on BRD enforcement is showing. Skirts are getting
shorter and it's all going to come to an ugly head again
unless you do something about it.
. . . . .

DRESS==AGE/SIZE/WEIGHT APPROPRIATE FOR EACH PARTICULAR
VENUE, ESPECIALLY IN PUBLIC EXPOSURE

----------------------
I.E. GAY BARS DRESS THE WAY YOU WANT
. . . . .

There was one person at BB that stood out, dressed as if
going to a prom/formal in a very elegant purple formal gown.

If it was a prom or formal 'Ballroom' type gown event, the
dress would have been perfect, but Bahama Breeze (BB)(HH and
dinner) is a casual dress type mainstream restaurant dining
event. This was how the public women dressed going to dinner
at the BB.

That person's gown outfit, which looked very nice on her,
stood out of place with how everyone else dressed. It was
very clear to everyone I socialized with that saw this
person, it was very noticeable and to many it was uncomfortable.

I also felt uncomfortable with how this person dressed as such
at this event.

I have nothing against her personally, its strictly only the
physical presentation. This person remained though the HH and
dinner.

Since nothing was done, it seems this dress was acceptable.

I will have to reconsider attending DLV and any DLV event I
attend in the future based on what I saw that night, seeing
its acceptable to dress as such. I am concerned about any
long term effects of being read at this event, at this venue,
or other venues the workers may be working at that time.

It appears that DLV allows that type of dressing behavior,
which to my understanding goes against with what DLV has
written in their own BDR guidelines of dressing:

"+ Outfits must be occasion-appropriate, meaning within the
bounds of what is usual and customary for a woman (or man)
of your age and size to wear to such an activity."

and in the Detailed Schedule for that event:

"Dress notes: Nice casual to dressy"

A formal gown wasn't what is usual or customary for a women
to wear to BB. I didn't see anyone else dressed as such in
our group or anyone else dressed as such seated for dinner
in the other public dining areas. If there were, then I
wouldn't be writing this.

Seems everyone else understood the above, which I thank them,
for they looked very much like ladies in casual attire.

I have a hard enough time dressing to the suggested guidelines
of DLV for all of their events, and doing my best to pass as
a female as to NOT draw unwanted attention to myself or any
other DLV attendee because of how I look.

I don't appreciate individuals that dress outside of what is
expected in public, that dressed as this person had in a formal
evening gown, that drew unwanted eye attention to me and the
rest of us and the dinner event.

Yes, our large gathering will get us read, but why make it
really easy to draw the public eye to us, and fuel their eyes
with reasons to look at us.

It weakens my endeavor to dress properly and pass as a female.
It also makes it easier to read me and remember by association
I am a CD in the memory of the workers at BB who have seen me
at this event, and remember how I look at other times outside
of DLV if I go to BB. I don't need that type of attention.

Seems your BDR guidelines are only words.

I know its hard to be the bad guy, but without such enforcement
of stated guidelines, the guidelines are worthless if people
continue to skirt around it and stay at events.

I feel that I owe the local cross dressing community that
live in LV a apology for that person's dress behavior, and
any negative impact the locals will have to deal with at BB
by being associated and seen (and read as a CD) because of
what this person wore during this DLV event.
. . . . .

There were times that I thought the dress code could be better.

There were some gurls who dressed neither in boy mode or gurl
mode. In groups this was somewhat distressing since it was
inappropriate that we should appear anything but ladies. Also
there were some that wore inappropriate short skirts that
brought undue attention to us as a group in public. I am all
for sexy if one can carry it off, but really! Also costumes
are somewhat inappropriate in public venues.
. . . . .

A Victorian ball-gown is a costume. For a costume party it
would be great, but not for the main stream. Don't you enforce
this anymore?
. . . . .

4b. Restroom-related comments:

TWICE, during the dinner at Trevi, I was in the stall and
I clearly heard loud male voices in the ladies room. Instead
of me, it could have very easily been an intolerant civilian!
. . . . .

At fremont street (at a bar), think it was close to where we
got dropped of a waitress angry that I used the ladies room.
However security ignored her.
. . . . .

We did have an issue, but even security thought it was lame
and was not confrontational
. . . . .

In Bahama breeze my problem was little kids in the lady's room.
The unigender toilet was closed to us . I used the mens room
with other girls which had the same issue. I was told by nora
that uni would be open. If not corrected i will not be going
next year.
. . . . .

You need a bathroom-101 training session for new gurls.
. . . . .

You need to give us more guidance as to what bathrooms to
use where. Ididn't know what to do at a couple places.
. . . . .

Gurls are starting to go to bathrooms in groups again.
. . . . .

You cant not go in groups if a group is already in there
when you go there.
. . . . .

You need better arrangements to use bathrooms.
. . . . .

I tried very hard to follow the guidelines when using the
facilities and believe this helped with not having any
problems. So I think the guidelines are good! I do what
you suggest in my home state, as well, where legally I can
use the restroom appropriate to how I am presenting.
. . . . .

You need a designated bathroom at major events.
. . . . .

No, but I avoid them when-ever I can.
. . . . .

If all girls who stay at Sahara would put in only $1 dollar
per girl per day, you could get a hospitality room to freshen
up and none of the bathroom nonsense would happen.

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(This posting was entered by Diva Las Vegas, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: bob
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Whoever wrote that the Pity party and the Jam Session were the same,
obviously wasn't at one of them. The Pity party was all skits and
karaoke, whereas the Jam Session was live music played by a band of DLV
members. Both events were hits with no misses.

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(This posting was entered by bob, an external user of MyDLV.)