[dlv] Additional DLV 2014 info ...

[External Poster]

This is the Diva Las Vegas 2014 announcement mailing list.

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

Diva Las Vegas information
Changes for DLV 2014
New Attendee registration is open
Rooms and Roommates
Activity Highlights
Misunderstandings and disappointments
DLV Big Sister (and Big Brother) Program
Summary schedule
Administrivia
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diva Las Vegas information:

This mailing provides further details on our program and our upcoming
2014 event which occurs from Sunday, March 30 thru Friday, April 4.

If you have just joined this list, please take a few minutes and review
the 2014 kick-off mailing. The archive is on the web at:

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2772

All previous mailings (going back to the year 2000) are on line here:

viewforum.php?f=4

If you have specific questions about our event, please take a look at
our Frequently Asked Questions list, on the web at:

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

Over 90% of the questions we receive by e-mail are already answered,
often in depth, on the list at the link above. If you have questions or
concerns which are not addressed on the FAQ list, for the quickest
answer please post your question on the DLV Discussion Forum, which is
on line at:

viewforum.php?f=2
. . . . . . . . . .

We now have 96 individuals, including 14 SOs, signed up to attend. It's
too early for any kind of a headcount projection but we expect the total
turnout to be somewhere in the neighborhood that we've been seeing over
the past several years, in the 160-170-ish range.
. . . . . . . . . .

Our working schedule will appear in this mailing and most of our other
general mailings between now and the big event. Our schedule is still
under development and will change between now and show time. Our final
schedule, with details galore, will appear in the Large Final Mailing
sent to all registered attendees.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changes for DLV 2014:

Here is a rundown of the major items that have changed this year and in
recent years.

* The minimum age to participate in Diva Las Vegas is now 21.

* Most of the Large Final Mailing content will appear on the web and the
mailing itself will consist mostly of links and pointers.

* We will not have a formal roommate matching program for 2014. See
below for notes on rooms and roommates.

* We now offer Big Brothers as well as Big Sisters. Please see item
below.

* We will be having a special New Attendee Welcome and Orientation on
Monday afternoon of DLV week. See final schedule for details.

* For 2014 we will be having three recurring daily activities. They are
Katie's Koffee Korner in the morning, Lunch With Ginger (or an alternate
host or hostess) and late evening dancing.

* We will have automated reminder text messages for any activity that
you choose sent to your text-capable cell phone or e-mail account.

* Several activity capacity limits have been increased or removed. In
particular, the Night Of The Soiled Doves and the Macy's Makeovers will
have no capacity limit this year.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
New Attendee registration is open:

New attendee registration for members of the mailing list is now open.
(If this message was sent to you via your own personal e-mail, this
includes you.) To register as a new attendee, please visit the following
link:

(link removed on web archive copy)

It takes only a few minutes.

One very important thing to remember: After you register you should
receive a confirming e-mail. If you do not receive this, something is
wrong and we need to know about it! In the event you receive absolutely
nothing via e-mail after you register, be sure to write in and let us
know so we can check things.

Previous attendees can re-register on line here:

(link removed on web archive copy)

If you have any problems with registration, please e-mail dlv@geekbabe.com
and explain the circumstances.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rooms and Roommates:

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 will not be having an organized roommate matching program this year.

We invite all who are interested in sharing a room to use the Diva Las
Vegas Discussion forum (or the associated mailing list or Yahoo group)
to indicate interest in room sharing. The DLV Discussion Forum is on
line here:

viewforum.php?f=2

When you post your message seeking a roommate, it will be helpful if you
include enough information about yourself so a potential roommate will
be able to tell if you may or may not be a good match. Please include
things such as:

* Do you have a reserved room to share or are you looking for space
within one?

* Do you smoke? If so, will you want to smoke in the room?

* Do you (knowingly) snore.

* What scale or price range of room are you looking for?

* Are you an early riser, late riser, etc.?

* What are your expectations regarding quiet hours?

One important caveat! Please have a contingency plan!

Most room sharing arrangements work out quite well, but occasionally
they don't. Previously-cited points of difficulty have been such things
as smoking in the room, payment arrangements, and disagreements on when
the room is to be used for restful sleep only.

We've also had a few cases over the years where a roommate fails to
show. Your personal contingency plan should take this fact into account!

Please remember that room sharing is a good faith effort on all parts.

Also please remember that matched roommates assume all risks and
liability and that DLV volunteers will not be responsible for such
things as a roommate failing to show, failing to pay, failing to make
reservations, a roomate who does not get along with you, does not make
the room available to you, locks you out, and such things as loss of
money or personal property, or in any other way things don't work out.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Activity Highlights:

Between now and DLV we'll be posting highlights of some of our activities
in the Diva Las Vegas Discussion Forum.

The following highlights are now on line at the following URLs:

Sunday Evening on Fremont Street:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2777

Tuesday with Ruth and Frank:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2776

Morning Hiking and Photos:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2775

We'll be adding these highlights every week or so.

These items will be "sticky", in that they will always appear front
and center on the Discussion Forum. You can access the Discussion Forum
main page at:

viewforum.php?f=2

If you have any questions about any of the highlighted activities you can
respond and ask or comment further.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Misunderstandings and disappointments:

We want to be sure that everyone who attends Diva Las Vegas enjoys it
and makes the most of it!

This includes YOU!

We also realize that many of you, particularly those who have to travel
cross-country or overseas to attend, are spending a meaningful amount to
participate in DLV. We want to be sure you have a good return on your
investment!

As well as a monetary investment, we know that many attendees think
about, and dream about DLV during the months leading up to it. We want
to be sure your "emotional investment" pays off as well!

One of our goals this year is to reduce and hopefully eliminate the
disappointments we've observed in the past, which often occur due to
misunderstandings about our event, what it is, and the way things work
at DLV.

Immediately below is a list of some of the very common pratfalls
experienced over the years by DLV newcomers (and sometimes by
returnees as well):

1. Assuming that Diva Las Vegas is similar to other major TG events such
as Be-All, Southern Comfort, etc. Although we emphasize that we are
quite different, this is the number one reported misunderstanding about
our event!

2. Failing to notice and observe various deadlines and cut-offs, in
particular the deadlines for sign-up and payment for some activities.

Please be sure you note DATES and TIMES for cut-offs!

3. Failing to report things that do not work properly or do not happen
as expected. If something malfunctions when you're on our web site,
please report it. If you do not receive an expected e-mail, please let
us know about it! If someone does not get back to you as you expect,
please report it!

Please proactively follow up on anything which is unclear to you or
anything that does not happen when you expect it!

4. Failing to, or forgetting to print out such things a the schedule,
the map, list of contact numbers, etc. Please do not be a "Low
Information" attendee!

5. "Burning out" by biting off more than can comfortably be chewed. DLV
can be a very intense event and it is never intended that anyone attempt
to do all or most of the available activities.

Please familiarize yourself with our schedule as it develops and plan
your days according to your desires and your limits.

6. Punctuality, or rather the lack of it. Attendees bear all of the
responsibility for showing up late to a DLV activity!

The consequences of showing up late to an activity may be as simple as
having to wait a bit longer for a seat, but may indeed involve such
things as forfeiting a reservation or even being left behind for a
carpool activity!

7. Expecting everything to be "just so".

While we do strive for excellence and consistency, please keep in mind
that our volunteers are just that - volunteers - and not professional
event promoters! Our activities are independently planned and
implemented by different volunteers and there will be differences in
organizational style, leadership style, and yes, even some inconsistency
can be expected. If things are not exactly to your liking, you'll enjoy
things much better if you "go with the flow" and ease your expectations
a bit.

8. Couples and groups frequently miss out on things!

Those who attend as a group or couple often skip activities unless
everyone in the group or couple wants to do them. Please do not feel
compelled to be "glued" to your partner or your group! If there is
something that you want to do, then do it!

9. Missing activities by getting into a time crunch. This was reported
"frequently" or "occasionally" by about 40% of those responding to
recent surveys.

10. Procrastination, general and specific. Registering late, waiting to
sign up for activities until some are full or in a waiting list state,
failing to arrange for a necessary ride in time, etc., etc.

11. Assuming a greater degree of structure of the event itself.

Before the event, we're quite structured and very precise in what we do.

Then we launch the event and it kind of runs on autopilot. The event
itself is far more informal and less structured than the lead-up to it.

If anything is wrong or anything is unclear, please let us know as soon
as you can so that we can do something about it!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DLV Big Sister (and Big Brother) Program:

We at DLV currently use a "team" concept to manage the Big Sister
Program, and the following individuals (in alphabetical order) have
volunteered to be part of the Big Sister Team:

Bev
Bob
Darlene
Delaney
Gabi
Vera

Delaney holds the position of Big Sister Coordinator on our
Administrative Committee.

We will also be offering Big Brothers, assigned on a case-by-case basis,
to those who need them. These are available to men who attend DLV either
solo or with a partner.

Bob, on our Big Sister Team, is overseeing this aspect of the Big Sister
and Big Brother Program.
. . . . .

The main functions of the Big Sister Program will not change. Our Big
Sister Team will be personally matching Big Sister and Brother
volunteers with those who request them.

It's natural to be nervous before heading to an event such as Diva Las
Vegas, particularly if you're new to the TG scene and don't know any of
the others yet.

The Big Sisters (and Big Brothers) of Diva Las Vegas can help!

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

Big Sisters and Big Brothers 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 and Big Brothers 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 and Big Brothers 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 or
bigbrother@geekbabe.com

. and say that you would like to get in touch with a Big Sister or
Big Brother.

Examples of concerns might be questions that you don't feel comfortable
asking on one of the mailing lists, a request for an honest fashion
critique, etc.

During DLV, if you need some advice on any number of topics, Big Sisters
and Big Brothers 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 or Big Brother
meet you, assure you, and escort you if necessary.

These are only a few example of how our Big Sisters and Big Brothers
can help!

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 or Big Brother. (Just reply to this mailing or e-mail
bigsister@geekbabe.com and state you would like to volunteer to be a Big
Sister or Big Brother.) The primary qualification is the desire to help
others.

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

To request a Big Brother or to volunteer to be a Big Brother, please
e-mail us (bigbrother@geekbabe.com) and we'll handle things on a case by
case basis.

For any questions or concerns about our Big Sister and Big Brother
Program please e-mail: bigsister@geekbabe.com
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Summary schedule:

Diva Las Vegas 2014 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, March 30:
10:00am: Religious services
1:00pm: Bar Rescue Tour
1:00pm: Makeover Sessions - beginner
1:00pm: Lunch With Ginger
6:00pm: Happy Hour options
6:00pm: Mob Bar Happy Hour
6:00pm: Denny's Happy Hour
6:00pm: Grotto Happy Hour
7:00pm: Dining options
7:00pm: Triple George dining option
7:00pm: Denny's dining option
7:00pm: Grotto dining option
8:30pm: After-dinner options
8:30pm: Fremont Street Experience
8:30pm: Scavenger Hunt
9:00pm: Karaoke with Shiela
10:00pm: Late-night options
10:00pm: Dancing at Paris
11:00pm: Beauty Bar

Monday, March 31:
7:30am: Katie's Koffee Korner
1:00pm: Makeover Sessions - beg. and int.
1:00pm: Wig Seminar
1:00pm: Lunch With Ginger
2:00pm: Beading Party
5:00pm: New attendee Welcome and Orientation
6:00pm: Happy Hour
7:00pm: Dinner
8:00pm: Welcome Celebration
8:30pm: Official group photo
10:00pm: Dancing at Paris

Tuesday, April 1:
7:30am: Katie's Koffee Korner
8:45am: Diva Las Vegas Invitational Golf
1:00pm: Makeover Sessions - intermediate
1:00pm: Lunch With Ginger
3:00pm: Art Tour - Painting Women
6:00pm: Happy Hour options
6:00pm: PT's Happy Hour
6:00pm: Joe's Happy Hour
6:00pm: Ricardo's Happy Hour
6:00pm: Ruths Chris Happy Hour
6:00pm: Hofbrau Happy Hour
7:00pm: Eating Out Night
7:00pm: Pamplemousse dining option
7:00pm: Joe's dining option
7:00pm: Mexican dining option
7:00pm: Hofbrau option
7:00pm: Ruths Chris option
9:00pm: Mainstream-Alternative Night
9:00pm: Classic Rock and Roll
9:30pm: Frank Marino Show
10:00pm: Dancing at Paris

Wednesday, April 2:
7:30am: Katie's Koffee Korner
9:00am: Pistol and Rifle Shooting
1:00pm: Lunch With Ginger
2:00pm: Pole Dance Instruction
6:00pm: Dinner
7:30pm: Night of the Soiled Doves
10:00pm: Dancing at Paris

Thursday, April 3:
7:30am: Katie's Koffee Korner
9:00am: Red Rock Hiking and Photo Outing
1:00pm: Lunch With Ginger
5:00pm: PF Chang Happy Hour
5:30pm: PF Chang Dinner
8:00pm: EHM Fantasy Ball
10:00pm: Dancing at Paris

Friday, April 4:
7:30am: Katie's Koffee Korner
1:00pm: Lunch With Ginger
3:00pm: Macy's Makeovers, session 1
3:45pm: Macy's Makeovers, session 2
4:30pm: Macy's Makeovers, session 3
6:00pm: Happy Hour
7:00pm: Dinner
8:00pm: Farewell Get-Together
8:30pm: Official Group Photo
10:00pm: Dancing at Paris
11:59pm: Late Night Clubbing
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Administrivia:

This is the Diva Las Vegas 2014 Announcement mailing list.

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

Replies to this mailing will be forwarded to: dlv@geekbabe.com
Submissions/questions should be sent to: dlv@geekbabe.com
Abuse/complaints should be sent to: abuse@geekbabe.com

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 dlvdisc@geekbabe.com and state that you wish to receive
the DLV Discussion Forum.

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

viewforum.php?f=2
. . . . .

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:

viewforum.php?f=4
. . . . .

Diva Las Vegas 2014
March 30 - April 4, 2014
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
. . . . .


To unsubscribe: Simply reply to this message with the word
UNSUBSCRIBE in either the Subject: field or the first line of
an OTHERWISE BLANK message body. The word "unsubscribe" (case
is insignificant) should be the only item in the subject field
or the first line of the message, justified to the left.

To assure a successful unsubscribe, please be sure the "This was
addressed to:" line above is included in your unsubscribe request.

To send material to this list: Send submission as regular e-mail
to the address: dlv@geekbabe.com
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .