[dlv] Welcome, looking forward to DLV 2007 ...

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This is the Diva Las Vegas 2007 announcement mailing list.
This list contains only announcements and high importance items.
See information on DLV Discussion Forum below.
If you no longer desire to receive this list, see instructions below.
Replies to this message will be forwarded to: dlv@geekbabe.com
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. . . . .
In this mailing:

Welcome everybody
En Espanol
Returnee re-registration is open
Change of the Guard
The Golden Rule Of DLV
Volunteers
Big Sisters
Spa Skin Style Boutique -- Makeovers
Spreading the word
Administrivia
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Welcome everybody:

Welcome to those who just joined the list! Hope to see you in April!
If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know.

This is the "kick-off" mailing for Diva Las Vegas 2007. Quite a bit of
information appears below, so please read carefully, and let us know
if there's anything that requires a clarification.
. . . . .

Headcount:

This is the subject everybody always asks about! :)

We will be posting registration numbers and projections as the
registrations come in. It's still far too early for any kind of
an absolute count prediction.

As of this writing (Saturday afternoon) we have 62 validated attendees
so far. Less than a week, and we already have more signed up than we
had total at DLV 2000! :)

The best guess as of this time as to total turnout this year, somewhere
in the 120-ish to 150-ish range. There's a very good chance for another
attendance record this year!

Again, we're expecting a varied mix of attendees, people from all points
on the TG spectrum from those just peeking out of the closet to those
who are fully transitioned, SO's, friends, admirers, etc.

One important note: We still have a couple of validations outstanding.
Please get these in as soon as possible. You do have to read the
validation e-mail and follow the instructions. Just returning it or
saying "I received this" or "I will be there" is not what we want,
and shows very clearly that you did not read it.

A response heaping praise upon the DLV organizers is appreciated, but
will not validate your registration. :)
. . . . .

Attending DLV:

For those who are new, the steps you need to take if you want to attend
can be summed up:

1. Read the web site (http://www.geekbabe.com/dlv/) to be sure you know
what DLV is, what it is not, and if DLV is something you would want to
attend.

2. Register for DLV. Re-registration for returnees is now open (see
instructions below), and registration for newcomers who are members
of this list will begin on or about February first.

3. Make your travel and/or hotel reservations, if necessary.

4. Show up and have a great time!

Simple, isn't it? :)
. . . . .

Systems issues:

There have been some intermittent issues accessing our website, slow
access and failure to connect. Our upstream provider is aware of this,
but unfortunately the trouble has not been lasting long enough to do any
major troubleshooting.

Should you have difficulty connecting, please wait a while (minutes to
hours) and try again. This comes and goes at random.
. . . . .

Our mailings:

You can expect a mailing to come out every 1-2 weeks until around the
first of April, depending on the need. Mailings will almost always be
made on Saturday night or Sunday morning.

Beginning around April 1, mailings will come out as needed, sticking to
the Sunday schedule as much as possible.

All discussion, chit-chat, questions and answers, etc., appears in
the DLV Discussion Forum. The DLV Discussion Forum is available in
two forms, first as a mailing list, and second as a web forum. Content
is the same on both.

If you would like to receive the DLV Discussion Forum by e-mail, please
send in a brief note to: dlvdisc@geekbabe.com and state that you wish to
subscribe to the DLV Discussion Forum.

To participate in the DLV Discussion Forum on the web, please visit the
url: http://www.geekbabe.com/dlv/dlvdisc/

You may read and post via this URL or by e-mail.

As last year, activity highlights will be posted to the DLV Discussion
Forum periodically.

The dress items, however, have been updated, "webified", and moved over
to the general portion of the web site. To view the collection of dress
articles, please visit the URL:

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

St Tropez hotel rate update:

The issue with obtaining the group rates at the St Tropez has been
corrected. Apparently some of the desk staff did not know how to
properly bring up the group rate screens.

Please let us know if you have any difficulty obtaining the discounted
rate and if necessary we will have Nora go over there and scream at
them! :)

Remember, to obtain the discounted rate you must make your reservation
directly with the St Tropez and identify yourself as a Diva Las Vegas
attendee. Yes, they are aware of the nature of our group. Discounted
reservations must be made by Friday, April 6.

The discounted rates apply only at the St Tropez. Other hotels we
suggest are at the prevailing rates.

Further information on our suggested hotels appears here:

http://www.geekbabe.com/dlv/dlv2007/2007hotels.html
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
En Espanol:

If Spanish is your native language and you have any difficulty
understanding anything regarding DLV, you may write to us with
your questions, in Spanish, and they will be forwarded to one
of our Spanish-speaking volunteers.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Returnee re-registration is open:

Re-registration for returnees is now open.

In most cases you will be able to use express re-registration, which
only takes a minute or so.

Most of you who previously attended should have received a personalized
clickable express re-registration link via e-mail.

If you didn't receive this (if your e-mail address changed since you
last attended, you probably won't), if it does not seem to work for
you, or if you just want to do it the hard way :) use the url:

http://www.geekbabe.com/cgi-bin/dlv/dlvreg1.cgi

If you have any difficulty registering on line, or if you see any kind
of unexpected result or error message, please report it. If anything is
wrong, e-mail dlv@geekbabe.com and we will check out the error and help
you get registered.

Registration for newcomers who are members of this list will begin on
or about February 1.

ONE VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: When you register, depending on circumstances,
you should receive either a confirmation e-mail or a validation e-mail
very shortly afterwards.

IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION E-MAIL OR A VALIDATION E-MAIL,
SOMETHING IS WRONG AND WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT IT! If you don't receive
anything, write to dlv@geekbabe.com and explain the circumstances.

The most common problems we see, and we do see a number of them each
year, are mis-typing your e-mail address when you register and bounces
due to "mailbox full", "user not accepting mail", etc.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Change of the Guard:

There have been some personnel changes here at DLV this year.

No, nobody got fired, nobody's been demoted. We're just sharing the load
a bit more effectively.

Aiko is now heading up the DLV Organizers Group, acting as Moderator and
Project Manager. Aiko has been with DLV since 2001, has coordinated many
DLV activities, and is probably best known as the instigator of the very
popular Night Of The Soiled Doves.

Ginger is now serving as Corresponding Secretary. She will be handling
most of the routine (and not so routine) correspondence to and from DLV
attendees. Ginger joined DLV in 2002, and has coordinated several
activities, including the recurring Lunch With Ginger.

Annie now serves as Systems Geek, which includes the web site, mailing
list administration, and registration. Annie has been with DLV since
1997 and continues in an active role as a participant and organizer
(and also ghost-writer at times). :)

Nora remains on as the Big Sister Coordinator, managing one aspect of
DLV which has literally changed lives. Nora also serves as DLV's local
representative, interfacing and negotiating with various facilities.

Mindy continues as Tournament Director of the Diva Las Vegas
Invitational, which is the world's first regularly-scheduled TG
golf tournament.

Add to this our cadre of volunteers. DLV has probably the highest ratio
of active volunteers to attendees of any major TG event, without whom
DLV could not happen.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Golden Rule Of DLV:

HAVE FUN - HAVE A LOT OF FUN!

HOWEVER, DON'T HAVE YOUR FUN AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHERS!

This "Golden Rule Of DLV" forms the basis of all of our behavior, dress,
and restroom policies and guidelines.

We had very few issues and incidents last year at DLV 2006, and we thank
all who attended for making it that way.

We're looking forward to having DLV 2007, like DLV 2006, be as free of
incidents as possible. We realize that 98%+ of you wish to play by the
rules, and appreciate it when others do so as well, so we won't burden
those of you who know how to dress and behave properly with incessant
admonitions. We realize that our current policies and guidelines are
more than adequate, perfectly clear, and easily understood by those
who wish to understand them.

We will, however, be taking very prompt and very firm action should
action be needed. (This did, unfortunately, have to happen once
during DLV 2006.)

What we primarily care about are what we call the "Mainstream"
activities. These are the ones occurring in general public venues.

Anybody who shows up for a mainstream (in a venue open to the general
public) DLV activity in an outfit clearly inappropriate will be sent
back to change. No discussion, no negotiation. Anybody who gets hostile
when told to go change will be dismissed from all further DLV
participation.

Our "mainstream" activities will be very clearly designated "This is
a mainstream activity" on the final schedule.

If you're of the "This is just my style, get used to it!" attitude,
sorry, the DLV mainstream activities are not for you.

For those activities we call "Safe Venue" and "Major Venue" activities,
such as those in GLBT bars, "alternative" lounges, Night Of The Soiled
Doves, etc. you are on your own.
. . .

Restrooms:

The DLV organizers and volunteers can't prohibit you from using any
public restroom facilities.

Likewise, the DLV organizers and volunteers cannot grant you permission
to use any particular public restroom facilities.

For the most part, you are on your own to decide what public restroom
facilities, if any, you will use. However, when you register for DLV
2007, you must agree to follow our restroom guidelines, which require
you to use public facilities appropriately, discreetly and individually
(never in groups) during DLV.

Remember The Golden Rule Of DLV! Misusing a public restroom is a very
good way to get SOMEBODY ELSE in trouble!
. . . . .

Do we have your attention?

The first person who replies to this mailing and says "I'm Thirsty" will
be entitled to a free liquid refreshment of his or her choice at our
Welcome Celebration on Monday of DLV week.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Volunteers:

Diva Las Vegas runs entirely on volunteer help.

We can always use more help in the following areas:

1. ACTIVITY COORDINATORS and ASSISTANTS. We still have a few planned
(and unplanned) activities that need to be "adopted" by one or more
people who are willing to do the busy-work necessary to make them
happen. If you are interested in helping along these lines, please
hit REPLY and say so.

2. VOLUNTEER DRIVERS. If you will have a vehicle at DLV and don't mind
giving others rides to and from our activities, please indicate this
on your registration form on the web when you register.

3. BIG SISTERS. (See notes about the Big Sister Program below.) If
you've attended DLV in the past and would like to help out those who
may be new to DLV or new to public exposure, please say so. Just reply
to this mailing stating you wish to volunteer as a Big Sister, sign up
as a Big Sister when you register.

4. SPREAD THE WORD. See notes below.
. . . . .

Yes, it's ok to volunteer to "help out any way you can". You will be
taken up on your offer. :)

How do you volunteer? I'm glad you asked! :) Just reply to this mailing,
or e-mail dlv@geekbabe.com and say you want to do your part to make a
great thing even better!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Big Sisters:

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 dlv@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.

During DLV, if you need some fashion advice, Big Sisters can help.

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.
There's no such thing as an outsider at DLV!

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.

Big thanks to Nora for coordinating our Big Sister Program!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spa Skin Style Boutique -- Makeovers:

Of special note this year, Theresa and Roxie from the Spa Skin Style
Boutique of Chicago will be attending and offering makeovers for the
DLV attendees. They will also have a moderate selection of products
available, some of which are exclusive to Spa Skin Style. These are of
their own design and formulation, not just generic brands with house
labels!

SSS hosted an open house for Pinkfest last October which was received
very well. Two of your organizers have been "under the brush" and can
attest to their expertise.

The SSS ladies will be renting a suite in one of our suggested hotels
and operating out of there as their temporary headquarters.

SSS will also be presenting two sessions for DLV attendees, one on
doing a basic face, and another on fashion and comportment.

You will be able to sign up for the sessions and for makeover
appointments on the web at activity sign-up time, which will
begin on or about April 1.

Please join us in welcoming Theresa and Roxie to DLV!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spreading the word:

We've lost count of those who have written to the effect of "... if
only I knew about this earlier ...". This has happened most years,
right after DLV has just concluded. It's a shame to have people miss
out. We certainly don't want to see this repeat right after DLV 2007.

This is one thing you can do right now, without much effort, whether
or not you are actually planning to attend.

You can help spread the word in the following ways:

* If you are a member of a local support group, put a blurb in the
newsletter or announce it at a meeting.

* If you're on a mailing list or e-group, and you have not seen it
announced there, please make a brief announcement. Ditto on the
newsgroups you frequent.

Please use some common sense and restraint here. If the group is
sexually oriented, as opposed to socially oriented, please refrain from
posting or linking to us. Also please be sure to not post announcements
in too many groups at once, as we don't want to be on the receiving end
of spam complaints.

* If you see one of those "TG Event Listings" that does not include DLV,
make a submission. We're already on most of the major ones, but I'm sure
there are those where we aren't. (Please be sure we're on the 2007
listings, we still get a lot of web referrals from previous listings.)

* If your community has a local GLBT paper, submit a note to them for
their "Events and Activities" listing. Most will have an ongoing column
such as this.

* If you have a personal website, include a link to DLV at the url:

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

* Use your imagination!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Administrivia:

This is the Diva Las Vegas 2007 Announcement mailing list.

This list is limited to announcements and other high-importance items.

Questions/answers and discussion items are redirected to the DLV
Discussion Forum, which may be subscribed to separately or viewed on the
web. To subscribe to the DLV Discussion Forum, send a brief message to
dlv@geekbabe.com and state that you wish to receive the DLV Discussion
Forum.

To view the DLV Discussion Forum on line, visit the URL:

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

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

dlv@geekbabe.com <--- NOTE: all lower case

Archives of this list appear on the web at:

http://www.geekbabe.com/annie/dlv07arc/
. . . . .

Diva Las Vegas 2007
April 23 - 28, 2007
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
. . . . .

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