My comments on the comments, part 2 ...

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This posting is from: annie
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Sorry about the delay on this ...

Much of this was written several weeks ago, so there may be
some stale comments in here as well as some incongruities
of tense. I had intended to post this much earlier, but
spaced it off. I've updated it in several places.

Continued from a previous item ...

The Trouble with Travels:

>It was very hard for a new person that knew no one to get a
>hold of someone to drive. I ended up taking cabs most of the
>time.

>We needed cell phone numbers.

It's very obvious that our current ride share program is not
working. It worked well during the early years of DLV, but it
has not scaled well since our attendance has risen to well
over 100.

We don't have an answer.

One option is to try asking for cell phone numbers from the
volunteer drivers. However, a few who were asked about this
were reluctant to have their numbers published on ride share
lists.

Our volunteers are gun-shy about a more formalized ride share
program and rightly so, from a liability perspective.

One thing that has come to our attention is that in recent
years, quite a few regulars who used to list their names as
volunteer drivers no longer do so. This is a subject in
itself.

One option is to eliminate the ride share lists and simply
encourage those who need rides to arrange them.

>Yes, suggestion here. For the past couple years you've had a
>Big Sister Diva and a Room Sharing Diva. You also need a Ride
>Share and Carpool Diva.

We've brought this up as a possibility. However, nobody has
volunteered to take on this role.
. . . . .

Complaining:

First of all, I thought the level of overall complaining was
low this year, compared to what we've seen in recent years.

There really wasn't that much to complain about this year,
other than the weather, and most attendees stayed indoors
most of the time anyway.

>Too much complaining by people who didn't volunteer or run
>activities

I didn't write this, but I'll agree with it, in that my
observations were that those who appeared to be b*tching
for the sake of b*tching were never those who had ever
volunteered in any capacity.

I wish those who don't like the way things are done would
get more involved. They would then see things from another
perspective, plus they would have an opportunity to do
something about things they don't like, other than to just
b*tch about them.

Here is a very good example:

>All of this "do this or we will cancel you!" do that or
>we will cancel you nonsense gets old! Treat us more like
>adults!

We would love to treat all attendees and potential attendees
as adults. Unfortunately those attendees (mostly drop-out
attendees) who don't behave as adults force us to do a few
things that may appear somewhat heavy-handed.

From a DLV organizer's perspective, one of the absolute
most frustrating things is the issue of no-shows. This is
both those who register for the event and do not show at
all, and those who sign up for individual activities and
do not show up for them. This is the one factor in planning
that is the most difficult to deal with.

As an example, at the time registration closed this year
we had 185 registrations plus 36 SOs, for a grand total of
211 individuals who said they were coming. As is known, we
had a total headcount of 149 this year, which is about a
30% hardcore no-show rate!

It used to be worse. In the early 2000s we had a larger
and far less predictable fall-out rate. We learned that if
we have certain checkpoints at which some kind of active
response is needed, we can identify and weed out those who
are least likely to show and at least keep the no-show rate
to a somewhat predictable amount.

That's why we do it.

This year our predicted turnout was within 6% of the actual
turnout, which is about as close as we can expect.

I wish we didn't have to be so assertive about things like
this, but that's the way it is. :(

>Also, all of this cut-off deadline nonsense! We're adults,
>don't treat us as children!

Quite honestly, I don't envision deadlines and cutoffs going
away or being relaxed. Our vendors often have hard and fast
deadlines when they need heacounts or payments.

We're working toward a method for next year where payments
can be made more conveniently, but there will be times at
which a hard decision on doing something or not doing it
will be required.

>Same here, don't put your name or we will shitcan
>your survey. Do you get the point!

The survey is intended to be anonymous. Instructions are
very clear. Those who put their name on the survey are not
following instructions and the response, as a whole is in
question.
. . .

One very good point about our volunteer force that has
come up in the summary discussions is that our volunteers
are just that, volunteers.

Please keep in mind that our volunteers are not professional
event promoters! They are unpaid, and in many cases unthanked
for their efforts!

It's unrealistic for any attendee to assume that things at DLV
will always be "just so", and exactly to their liking.

Speaking very freely, I think that many more "Thank You"s and
far fewer complaints are in order here!
. . . . .

New venue suggestions:

For any of the below items, if you want to see them happen, just
volunteer to coordinate them. We'll be forwarding this list to
the new ORG group as suggestions, and if someone picks them up,
they will happen. If you want to assure that they happen, please
volunteer to make them happen.

>We went o Dave's BBQ to see Charles's new wife!

>Post- event or late night gathering at Beauty Bar on
>Fremont Street.

>Dinner at Top of the World and Sushi Roku were both great,

>#1. Casino bat at Palazo.

I assume you mean the BAR at Palazzo. (Daughter of the bar?) :) :)

>#2. Cafe Hiedelberg, German food.
>#3. Tony Romas, bar-be-q.

>That German restaurant by Glamour Boutiwue. A few of us

Cafe Heidelberg, at 6th. and Sahara, has been considered over
the years for one of the smaller group meals. No particular
reason why it has never been done.

>Need more dancing at clubs. I went off on my own to ...

Dancing is one item which will most definitely appear on
the schedule in 2010.

>Hard Rock Cafe and the Casino. I went with various groups

>I went to the Hard Rock Cafe with other crossdressers 3

There are plans to open a new very large Hard Rock Cafe on
the Strip across from City Center. It's supposed to be
opening this summer. Assuming this happens, we will most
likely have some kind of a medium to large gathering there
in 2010, as we do have a volunteer committed to this.
. . . . .

Mainstream vs. alternative:

>I think we should plan alternatives so that people of like
>minds can do that throughout. And if people want to go to
>a closed activity that's their perogative. Just not mine.

Not really sure what "people of like minds" is supposed to
really mean, but I assume from the context this is another
request for (more) mainstream activities.

Each survey indicates a desire for (more) mainstream
activities. In doing a quick count against our final
schedule this year, counting which of the activities
were in "safe" or "alternative" venues versus those in
venues intended for the general public, we get this:

+Monday, May 11: Mainstream: 5 Alternative: 1
+Tuesday, May 12: Mainstream: 9 Alternative: 4
+Wednesday, May 13: Mainstream: 7 Alternative: 2
+Thursday, May 14: Mainstream: 6 Alternative: 3
+Friday, May 15: Mainstream: 9 Alternative: 3
+Saturday, May 16: Mainstream: 6 Alternative: 2

+Totals: Mainstream: 42 Alternative: 15

Our venue orientation is heavily tilted toward mainstream
facilities.

Question to all: Where is the shortage? (Of mainstream activities
that is?)

This comment reflects a slightly different perspective:

>While I think the balance of mainstream / non-mainstream
>activities is fine because I'd like to let everyone find
>something they feel comfortable with, I think more of both
>would be appropriate. I'd love to see a mainstream and a
>non-mainstream activity in every timeslot.

Our sole limiting factor as far as how many activities of
various types are scheduled is that of the strength and the
enthusiasm of the volunteer force. If it's a priority of
someone to have more of any type of activity appear on the
schedule, it's very easy to make it happen. Just agree to
work toward making them happen.
. . . . .

Name tags:

>I like the idea of name tags just fine, but the actual
>name tags we used are a royal pain.

Name tags is one topic which will be taken up in ORG over
the next few weeks and months.

We'll probably never agree upon the exact type of tag that
will please all, just as we will never agree on what brand
of beer is to be served.

Another thing that I don't think many realize is that the
name tags cost real money, out of the pocket of one or more
of the volunteers, and historically it's not always been
fully reimbursed!

Update: We do have funds pledged for tag holders for 2010.
. . . . .

Scheduling:

>In addition to an unrealistic schedule following the SBS
>event, the directions to the fashion show were next to
>useless. "Meet in the main courtyard" doesn't mean much
>when you don't know the mall and the information desk
>says they don't have any courtyards.

Yes, we need to pay more attention to detail, and we will
work toward that goal. We had another case for another
activity where TWO parking structures were ambiguously
noted as the rendezvous point.

As an aside, it was not intended by the organizers to do
SBS and the Fashion Show sequentially. Those were intended
as an either/or option.
. . . . .

Hospitality:

>I liked DLV it was fun but *ahem* there are lot of girls who
>are stand offish I know this is a get together for girls but
>I felt like an outsider and I know my SO felt it too.

and

>Maybe a little more opening up by the volunteers of DLV?

and

>I notice new ones were all together and all the organizers
>stayed together. I would think maybe organizers could get
>out and circulate more

This year we tried to pay more attention to hospitality, in
particular the welcoming of newcomers, but unfortunately we
did get some comments along this line.

I personally did notice a lot of circulating and mingling
at the opening mixer. I and some of the others were watching
this closely. I specifically noted tables of longtimers and
volunteers along with newcomers.

We've already brought up this topic in ORG. We do want anyone
who felt like an outsider, either at any one activity or at
the event as a whole to please write in (dlv@geekbabe.com) and
detail the experience so we can work toward making things
better in 2010.

>My advice is that each event has a "hostess" and that
>person should have the RESPONSIBILITY to welcome people
>as they show up whenever they show up

This is the way it's intended to be. The primary coordinator
of any activity should either serve in this role or be
sure that others are doing so.

This has been brought up and affirmed in ORG.

>I anticipated someone at The Welcome Meet & Greet at the
>Blue Ox to be on the look out for new folks with a "welcome,
>how do you do". A local girl I met in the parking lot on the
>way in at 9:30, we found about 30 girls in small groups, we
>discussed our surprise at the only reception was from the
>bar staff.

Again, those who arrive late should expect a similar level
of welcome and hospitality as those who arrive early. This
also has been brought up as a specific example of a need
for improvement.
. . . . .

Unfortunate incident:

I don't know what, if anything, we can do about ...

>Saturday evening, I was accosted by 4 black men in front
>of my hotel (St T). I was made as a CD and the shouting
>began. These were loiterers with no business being there.

Things like this can totally ruin a vacation! :(

I don't think there's anything we (the organizers) could
have done to prevent this.

We can remind people to be streetwise and be aware of their
surroundings but other than that I don't know what can be
done.

I really believe that this individual was just a victim of
time, place and circumstance. "Sh*t happens!" :(
. . . . .

Personal growth:

>First year I was scared to open the room door and walk out.
>This year my growth goal was to be comfortable hailing and
>riding a cab. Last year it was getting comfortable ordering
>from a menu, and this year I didn't eat at a casino buffet once!

This is the type of feedback which we always appreciate.

Many DLVers have taken the opportunity to grow within their
new role during the event.

These points your bring up, from cracking open the hotel room
door to hailing a taxi, are milestones that many DLVers pass
and become comfortable with over the years.

>One unexpected growth opportunity. I lost my room key and had
>to go to the front desk (Sahara) and beg for another one. He
>just looked at my ID, didn't really say anything, no shock
>expression, checked my reservation on the computer, and gave
>me another key. He said if I needed anything else, just come
>down and ask.

Been there, done that, several times. It seems like for me,
about one year out of five on average there will be some kind
of an issue with the room key, either misplacing it, locking
it in the room, or getting that "red light" when entering.

You will find that with rare exception, those who are there
to serve you will do just that. A lost or malfunctioning key
is a common item for a desk agent to deal with, and he or
she will be more concerned about getting you back into your
room than your mode of dress. "TG-oblivious" is the term
often used for this. :) :)
. . . . .

Welcome Celebration:

>I have to say that the meet and greet was awesome on
>monday night.

Thank you!

Our Monday evening welcome mixer was the most-attended
activity in the history of all of DLV, with a final total
door count of 105! It was also very highly rated on the
survey, both for enjoyment and comfort.

Yes, we are talking about having something simular toward
the beginning of DLV 2010.
. . . . .

>Why is it that so many gurls insist on showing off their
>chest when there is nothing there!

Uh, I don't know. You tell me. :) :)

Yes, there are some who do attempt to show more natural
boobage than is there. No, it does not work! :(
. . . . .

>A Prom, for those of us to relive, where we had to once
>wear a suit or tux, let's now dress the way we really
>wanted to back then.

There have been ideas floated off and on over the years of
having some kind of large dress-up affair such as this.

Whether or not this happens, or happens in 2010, will be up
to the new ORG group and what the volunteers volunteer to
sponsor. This has been brought up to ORG.
. . . . .

SOs and couples:

>I would like to see some kind of a couples get together

The topic of SO gatherings has been discussed in ORG, and
it looks like in 2010 we'll be having both "SO only" and
"SO and partners" activities.

Details of these are yet to be determined.

Also in discussion is the idea for a "SO Big Sister" program
to get more SOs more actively involved.
. . . . .

>Erotic Heritage Museum. Just opened. Groups of 10 or more
>get $10 off the normal $20 admission.

A volunteer has already agreed to take this on.
. . . . .

We're beginning to see some of our previously-used venues
now appearing as suggestions as if they are new ...

>We did go out on our own, but I am not sure I would risk
>recommending it as venue other than the drag show at Flex.
>Its free, fun and very open.

We've used Flex off and on over the years for various things,
large and small. With the mainstream emphasis in recent years,
Flex has mostly been a stop on bar crawls and such.

Over the past few years there's been very little in the way
of requests for drag shows and such. If there's a demand for
things like this, and volunteers to coordinate, then things
like this can happen.
. . . . .

>Shopping at LV Outlet shops.

>Shopping at the north side shops

Shopping trips have been done over the years, beginning back
as far as 1998. There has been talk already of something
like an outlet shopping trip for 2010.
. . . . .

Trevi:

>I really liked the room at Trevi's because it was quiet
>and allowed conversation (some venues can be very noisy).

Trevi is the find of the year! It's upward in scale, but
not incredibly pricey. Bar prices were unexpectedly low.

The room we had was quiet and intimate, but not secluded
or in any way closeted.

As you say, it offered what we call "Quality Social Time"
during and before the meal.
. . . . .

>Any chance that Amy will allow a plugged-in jam next year?

I don't know. Please feel free to contact her and see what
can be arranged. :)

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