Some comments on the 2015 survey results ...

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This posting is from: annie
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Here are some personal notes and reflections on this year's survey
results.

Additional comments will be welcome and appreciated.

I'll comment on the written comments in a separate item.

Overall, nothing earthshaking was revealed in this survey, but some very
meaningful feedback was obtained.

I'm not responding to all items, just those I believe hold some kind of
special significance this year. I'm also not responding to items in the
order they appeared on the survey.
. . . . .

+What was your level of enjoyment at each of the following activities?

I believe that this section (activity enjoyment ratings) is one of the
most important of the survey, as it gives us a very good handle on which
activities our people did and did not like. It lets us know what will be
worth repeating in years to come.

The "perfect" score in this category is 5.0 for enjoyment and this is
very hard to get, particularly when many responses are received. Any
single score of less than 5.0 bumps the activity lower than 5.0. I
consider this to be the equivalent to an A+ on the grading scale.

+Bare Escentuals Makeovers all sessions: 5.0 (11 responses)
+Nordstrom Makeovers, all sessions, Nordstrom's: 5.0 (6 responses)
+Palm HH and Dining Option, Caesars Forum, Wednesday: 5.0 (2 responses)
+Trap and Pistol Shooting, CC Shooting Complex: 5.0 (1 responses)

This year we had four activities hit 5.0 on the enjoyment scale. Note
that two of these were mainstream makeover sessions, indicating that
this concept is indeed working.
. . . . .

I consider an enjoyment score between 4.5 and 4.99 to be the equivalent
of a solid A on the grading scale. To score in this range, an activity
has to receive more "Enjoyed Significantly" enjoyment ratings than all
lesser ratings combined.

+Raiding the Rock Vault, Tropicana, Tuesday: 4.91 (12 responses)

+Lunch With Ginger, Flamingo Buffet, Thursday: 4.87 (8 responses)
+Audrey Lounge Tour, Thursday: 4.83 (6 responses)
+Afternoon Social, Chayo at the Linq, Friday: 4.83 (6 responses)

+Meet Dr. Victoria, EHM: 4.77 (9 responses)
+Lunch With Ginger, Flamingo Buffet, Monday: 4.75 (4 responses)
+Katie's Koffee Korner - all sessions, Flamingo: 4.72 (11 responses)

+High Roller Big Wheel, Linq: 4.69 (23 responses)
+Welcome Celebration, HH and Dinner Bahama Breeze: 4.68 (58 responses)
+Ricardo's HH and Dining option, Tuesday: 4.66 (6 responses)
+Pole Dance Instruction, Pole Fitness Studio: 4.66 (3 responses)
+Pinball Hall Of Fame, Thursday: 4.60 (10 responses)
+Lunch With Ginger, FSM Food Court, Friday: 4.60 (5 responses)

+Creative Wigs Seminar, Spotlight: 4.58 (17 responses)
+Afternoon Social, Chayo at the Linq, Thursday: 4.57 (7 responses)
+Dancing at Paris, Paris, all sessions: 4.53 (39 responses)
+DLV Fantasy Ball, Kings Of Hustler: 4.53 (32 responses)
+Art Tour, Bellagio Gallery, Thursday: 4.50 (4 responses)
+Fragrance Seminar, Nordstrom's FSM, Friday: 4.50 (4 responses)
+Art Of Shibari, Art Square Theater, Sunday: 4.50 (2 responses)
+Louder Common Gathering, Brass Lounge, Sunday: 4.50 (2 responses)

This year 21 activities scored within this range.
. . . . .

I consider the 4.0 to 4.49 enjoyment range to be a B or B+ on the
grading scale. To attain a rating in this range, there must be more
"Enjoyed" and "Enjoyed Significantly" ratings than all lesser ratings
combined.

+Ruths Chris HH and dining option, Tuesday: 4.47 (19 responses)
+2bShapely Workshop and lunch, Blue Ox: 4.45 (11 responses)
+Farewell Celebration, HH and dining, Trevi: 4.44 (43 responses)
+Bacio HH and Dining option, Tropicana, Tuesday: 4.44 (9 responses)
+Brass Lounge Happy Hour and Dinner, Sunday: 4.42 (14 responses)
+Softer Common Gathering, Denny's Neonopolis: 4.40 (5 responses)
+Texas de Brazil HH and dining option, Tuesday: 4.40 (5 responses)
+High Tea, Four Seasons, Friday: 4.40 (5 responses)
+Diva Las Vegas Invitational Golf, Tuesday: 4.35 (14 responses)
+Flamboyance Drag Show, Flex, Thursday: 4.33 (6 responses)
+Lunch With Ginger, Flamingo Buffet, Tuesday: 4.33 (3 responses)
+Looking Glass Open House, Flex Lounge, Thursday: 4.33 (3 responses)
+Makeovers by Stephanie, Flex Lounge, Thursday: 4.33 (3 responses)
+Fremont Street Experience, Sunday: 4.27 (22 responses)
+Denny's Happy Hour and Dinner, Sunday: 4.25 (16 responses)
+Mainstream Clubbing, Club XS - Wynn, Sunday: 4.25 (4 responses)
+PF Chang HH and Dinner, Wednesday: 4.22 (27 responses)
+New Attendee Orientation, Bahama Breeze, Monday: 4.19 (26 responses)
+High Roller HH and dining, Flour and Barley: 4.0 (23 responses)
+Karaoke, Brass Lounge, Sunday: 4.0 (7 responses)
+Social at The Center, Tuesday,: 4.0 (6 responses)
+Mainstream Clubbing, Club Light, Friday: 4.0 (6 responses)

This year, 22 activities placed within the 4.0 to 4.49 range. There was
somewhat of a shift between the 4.5-4.99 and 4.0-4.49 ranges this year,
but as in all recent years, most all of the activities scored somewhere
in the 4.xx range.
. . . . .

Activities which score in the 3.0 to 3.99 range are still on the
positive side of the enjoyment scale, which means that more enjoyed the
activities than did not enjoy them.

+Fantastic Indoor Swapmeet, Friday: 3.75 (4 responses)
+Karaoke with Shiela, Phoenix Lounge, Sunday: 3.66 (9 responses)
+TGIF Happy Hour and Dinner, Sunday: 3.66 (6 responses)
+Just You Open House, Wednesday: 3.50 (8 responses)
+Safer Common Gathering, Phoenix Lounge, Sunday: 3.16 (6 responses)
+PT's Happy Hour, Tuesday: 3.0 (5 responses)

NOTHING placed lower than 3.0 on the enjoyment scale this year,
compared to two activities last year!

Overall, the scores this year were, overall, somewhat but not
significantly lower than the scores last year, which was one of our
highest-rated events, enjoyment-wise, of all time.
. . . . .

On the accompanying comfort scale, only two activities placed lower
than 4.0.

+Karaoke with Shiela, Phoenix Lounge, Sunday: 3.71 (7 responses)
+Louder Common Gathering, Brass Lounge, Sunday: 3.0 (4 responses)

These were both first-day activities which would typically attract a
number of new attendees with little public exposure. Note that one of
these was a "Safe Venue" activity in a venue which has very consistently
rated high on the comfort scale, so it's very possible that newbee
jitters was in play here.
. . . . .

+How many times have you attended Diva Las Vegas?

+Once: 19
+Twice: 9
+Three or more: 19
+Five or more: 18
+Ten or more: 11

As with last year we broke this out further and the results are very
similar to those of last year with a fairly heavy bias toward multiple
year attendees with a good representation from the newcomers as well.
. . . . .

+About how far did you travel to attend DLV 2015?

+Average miles: 1482.23

This is a fairly significant shift from last year's average of 2100,
which is mostly due to the fact that we had fewer longer-range people
present this year. As far as I know, we had no people from Europe,
Asia, or Oceania this year.
. . . . .

+Approximate average length of stay: 5.42 days.

This number has been incredibly consistent over all recent years.
. . . . .

+If you departed on Thursday or Friday, prior to our Farewell
+Celebration and related activities, what are the significant
+reasons that you chose not to stay for the final evening?

This was a new question this year, brought about by our observations
just prior to our event that we had more people departing earlier than
in previous years.

+My personal commitments required I depart: 10
+The expense of lodging: 9
+Travel arrangements - cost-related or not: 1
+Weakness of ending activities for DLV 2014: 1
+I did not care for the venue - Trevi: 1
+Partner-spouse-friends departed so I followed: 0
+I was uncomfortable at DLV and chose to leave early: 0

As we expected, the higher hotel rates and various personal factors were
the most significant. No at-fault items were revealed. This question
will most likely not be repeated in subsequent years.
. . . . .

The following is a totally new question this year.

One pattern that we've become aware of over the years is that when our
people attend as a couple or as a group, it's usually either all or none
of any particular social unit (group or couple) that we will see at any
given activity.

One specific observation has been that within groups, unless almost
everyone in the group agrees to do something, all of the group will be
absent.

This new question was added to let us know the degree that this applies
to our attendees and what percentage of our attendees are subject to the
wishes of others regarding which activities they do and do not do.

+Which of the following best describes your attendance and participation
+in Diva Las Vegas 2015?

+I attended solo and chose my activities individually: 52
+With partner - chose activities individually: 5
+With partner - mostly participated as a couple: 9
+With group - chose activities individually: 1
+With group - mostly participated as group: 7

The results show that this affects groups more than couples, and that
about 22% of our attendees, a significant percentage are under the
influence of others in regards to their activity attendance.
. . . . .

+While you were in attendance, did you get a chance to officially check
+in with one of our volunteers (whether or not you got a name tag)?

+Yes I did: 56
+No I did not: 11

+Did you receive a personalized name tags during your attendance of DLV
+2015?

+Yes I did: 55
+No I did not: 11

Two related new questions with very similar responses. Most of those who
officially checked in did eventually get a name tag.
. . . . .

+Approximate average age: 60.27

The number has been creeping upward over the past several years and
this year broke 60.

+18 - 25: 0
+26 - 30: 0

No survey respondents 30 or under this year.

+31 - 35: 2
+36 - 40: 1

Only three reporting 40 or under.

+41 - 45: 6
+46 - 50: 5
+51 - 55: 13
+56 - 60: 12
+61 - 65: 21
+66 - 70: 7
+Over 70: 5

The topic of age of attendees is currently being discussed by the ORG
group. Comments from those who are outside of the bell curve, age-wise,
will be particularly welcome.
. . . . .

+I consider myself to be primarily a (an) ...

+Crossdresser: 33
+Transgender(ist): 14
+Transwoman: 7
+Transvestite: 5
+I do not identify with any of the above labels: 4
+Transition track, No-op: 3
+Bigender: 2
+Transition track, Pre-op: 1
+Transition track, Post-op: 1
+Gender-nonconforming: 1
+Admirer: 1

As has always been the case (but very close last year), no single label
of identity constitutes the majority.

Marked shift in those identifying as Transwoman this year, 7 compared to
one last year.

"Transvestite", although considered anachronistic by many, is still
reported as a label of identity by a small but significant number of our
attendees.

+Drag queen: 0
+Genderqueer: 0
+Pangender: 0
+Transman: 0
+Intersex: 0
+H Benjamin Syndrome: 0
+Significant other: 0
+Friend of the community: 0
+Friend of another attendee: 0

Zippo reporting as identifying with any of the above.
. . . . .

+I am a (an) ...

+Nonsmoker: 69
+Occasional smoker: 2
+Regular smoker: 3

With a smoking-related issue frequently cited this year, in person and
in comments, it should be noted that the vast majority of our people are
nonsmokers.
. . . . .

+I consider myself to be a (an) ...

+Non-drinker: 10
+Social drinker: 49
+Regular drinker: 15

No real surprises here. :)
. . . . .

+Do you belong to a local transgender support group?

+I have previously been a member.: 30
+I have never been a member.: 28
+I am currently a member.: 16

A fairly significant shift continues, from current to previous members,
over the past few years.
. . . . .

+Have you ever attended any of the following transgender events?

+Southern Comfort Conference 16
+Esprit 15
+Fantasia Fair 11
+Fall Harvest 8
+Pinkfest 8
+Be-All 7
+California Dreaming 7
+First Event 6
+En Femme Getaway 6
+Wildside Vegas 6
+Just You Week 6
+Keystone Conference 5
+Holiday Enfemme 3
+Colorado Goldrush 2
+Texas T 2
+Dignity Cruise 2
+Paradise in the Poconos 1

This year we added Wildside and Just You Week, both which occur in Las
Vegas, and those both placed in the expected position in the pack.

Other than for the two new additions, the numbers and relative positions
of the other events have been consistent over the years.
. . . . .

+Did you have any technical or ergonomic difficulties when using our
+on-line registration or activity sign-up screens?

+Yes.: 4
+No.: 71
+I did not register or sign up on line.: 0

Although in the single digits, four cases, or roughly 5 percent,
concerns me. and I would appreciate explicit details on any technical
difficulties encountered during registration.
. . . . .

The next series of questions, although driven by one specific complaint,
have been of concern over the years.

In recent years, we've made a very specific effort to reduce the length
and repetition in the general mailings.

+Do you consider our general mailings to be excessively long and
+verbose?

+Yes and I regard much to be unnecessary and irrelevant: 4
+Yes I understand most is important for attendees to know: 22
+No: 48

Majority says no, and very few regard the material not to be meaningful.

+Do you consider our general mailings to be difficult to read due to
+such things as paragraph and line breaks?

+Yes - difficult: 6
+No - not difficult: 67

Again, majority says no issue.

For those who are interested, all of the general mailings are sent with
a MIME type of text/plain, which is the "lowest common denominator"
among the various mail programs and systems out there on the net.
. . . . .

+What e-mail system or program do you use to read our general mailings?

+Web mail of some type: 54
+Microsoft Outlook etc.: 10
+Smart phone of some type: 4
+Mozilla-based (Thunderbird, Seamonkey etc.): 4
+Opera: 0
+Elm Pine etc.: 0
+Other not listed: 2

This was related to the previous question, and no specific correlations
between the previous question and the type of mailer used were noted.
. . . . .

Regarding hotels, this was the first year in our history that we were
able to obtain a meaningful group discount at a major Strip hotel, the
Flamingo. As expected, the Flamingo attracted the lion's share of the
out of town attendees this year.

+If you stayed in a local hotel, were you satisfied with the quality and
+condition of your room and the facilities of the property?

+Flamingo:

+Definitely satisfied: 12
+Mostly satisfied: 12
+Neutral: 3
+Not really: 1
+Definitely not: 0
. . .

+Paris:

+Definitely satisfied: 1
+Mostly satisfied: 3
+Neutral: 0
+Not really: 0
+Definitely not: 0
. . .

+Four Queens:

+Definitely satisfied: 0
+Mostly satisfied: 0
+Neutral: 0
+Not really: 0
+Definitely not: 0

No reports for the Four Queens at all. Only one report on the negative
side of the scale, that being for the Flamingo.

+Flamingo:

+Very comfortable: 19
+Somewhat comfortable: 6
+Neutral: 2
+Somewhat uncomfortable: 1
+Very uncomfortable: 0

Only one report on the negative side of the comfort scale, that again
being for the Flamingo.

+Did you take advantage of our special promotional hotel room rates at
+the Flamingo for all or part of your stay?

+Yes I did: 23
+No but I was aware of it: 28
+No but I was too late for it: 4
+No and I was unaware of it: 3

Almost 40% of those answering this question reported taking advantage
of the discount rates.
. . . . .

+Did you find yourself missing DLV activities because you either
+got into a time crunch or were simply too tired from previous
+activites?

+Seldom or never: 45
+Occasionally: 23
+Frequently: 4

38%, a very significant percentage of those answering this question,
reported at least occasional time crunches which impacted their
participation!
. . . . .

The next question was added due to the too-late-for-survey reports
of illness from DLV 2014.

+During the course of the event, did you suffer from an unexpected
+illness or injury which prevented you from fully participating?

+Yes I did: 2
+No I did not: 68

No significant issues this year.
. . . . .

+Did you use the activity reminder service (e-mail or text messages to
+your cell phone) and if so, did it work well for you?

+Yes, and it worked fine.: 13
+Yes, and it worked off and on.: 1
+Yes, but it seldom or never.: 0
+No, I did not use it..: 56
+I do not know what you are talking about.: 3

13 used reminder messages this year up from 10 last year. Only one
reported it not working.

If the one who had difficulty is reading this, I would appreciate
knowing who your cell carrier is, and also your phone number, so I can
go through the logs and see if there were any issues.
. . . . .

+Did you have convenient and reliable e-mail service during DLV, using
+any method?

+Yes, and I checked e-mail frequently.: 47
+Yes, but I checked it infrequently.: 19
+No: 6

All but a handful have e-mail during and use it at least somewhat.
Majority checks e-mail frequently.

One item that we will be doing next year, which came about as a
brainstorm during a gab session this past event, is that we'll be trying
out a text group, meaning a shared text party line that will support
both text messaging and e-mail. Anyone who needs to contact the group
can use it and everyone subscribed will receive the messages.
. . . . .

+Did you participate in our Big Sister program and if so, did you
+find it to be helpful?

+I had a Big Sister and I found the program to be helpful.: 3
+I had a Big Sister and I did not find the program to be helpful.: 0
+I was a volunteer Big Sister and had a positive experience.: 8
+I was a volunteer Big Sister and my Little Sister was a no-show.: 1
+I was a volunteer Big Sister and did not have a positive experience.: 0
+I did not participate in the Big Sister program.: 55
+I was unaware the Big Sister program existed.: 0

Not a single "derog" this year. Congratulations to Delaney and team! :)
. . . . .

+Approximately how much did you spend on accommodations while you were
+attending DLV?

+Approximate average: 733.33

Up about 7% from last year. This was no surprise. Las Vegas room rates
are rising and will probably continue to do so as long as the US economy
remains strong.
. . . . . .

+Approximately how much did you spend on food and non-alcoholic
+beverages while you were attending DLV?

+Approximate average: 437.31

Up about 11% from last year. Again, no surprise.
. . . . .

+Approximately how much did you spend on alcoholic beverages while
+you were attending DLV?

+Approximate average: 192.42

This one is up about 24% from last year. Party animals! :) :)

Seriously, much of this simply reflects the increased prices that we're
now seeing in Las Vegas.
. . . . .

+Approximately how much did you spend on local transportation (rental
+car, taxi rides, Monorail pass, donation to others' fuel funds, etc.)
+while you were attending DLV?

+Approximate average: 149.24

Marked increase! About a 45% increase over 2014!
. . . . .

+Considering all expenses of all types, what was the total amount you
+spent in order to attend and participate in DLV?

+Approximate average: 1905.97

This number actually DROPPED slightly this year. It's also been
reported as very difficult to estimate and may be retired, as was
the question in this section on total bets or gaming coin-in.
. . . . .

+In general, did you consider DLV 2015 to be reasonable and affordable?

+Yes, definitely: 38
+Yes, somewhat: 23
+Neutral: 2
+No, somewhat: 2
+No, definitely: 1

Slight shift downward on this one. Three on the "No" side this year
compared to one last year. Prices continue to rise, and in Las Vegas,
the prices will probably not be dropping again until the next major
catastrophe or economic downturn.
. . . . .

+Did you participate in table and/or machine gaming during your
+attendance at DLV?

+None at all: 29
+Very little: 14
+Occasionally: 17
+Frequently: 9

This was the first time this question was asked in this form. This
general question replaces a question on the amount spent on garming.

42% of our those taking the survey reported no gaming at all. 62%
reported little or none! Only 13% reported frequent gaming. This
question is definitely more meaningful than the one previously used.
. . . . .

+Would you prefer more activities be in mainstream venues, or more in
+discreet or secluded or alternative venues?

+I would prefer more secluded venues.: 8
+I would prefer more mainstream venues.: 13
+I think the balance was about right.: 51

This question really needs to be reworded!

There's a slight shift away from the mainstream this year, with the vast
majority still saying that the balance is right.
. . . . .

+Did you think DLV was too long or too short?

+It was too long: 12
+It was too short: 7
+It was just about right: 54

Noted shift toward the "too long" direction this year. I interpret this
as "too long for me to afford" or "too long for me to get away" and
such, and not that the event, in and of itself, was too long.

Vast majority, again, thinks the length is just about right.
. . . . .

+And what about the request to wear name tags?

+I found them to be helpful: 38
+I don't really care either way: 25
+I did not like them: 10

A definite shift in direction of liking name tags this year.

We'll be, again, reviewing our name tag options, as the process of
producing and distributing name tags is the most labor-intensive and
expensive process that we have.
. . . . .

+Did you personally have any public restroom issues while attending DLV
+2015?

+I used public restrooms and YES I had issues or incidents.: 2
+I used public restrooms and did NOT have issues.: 59
+I seldom or never used public restrooms.: 6
+This question does not apply to me.: 3

Unfortunately we had one issue this year, and this is discussed in the
comments.
. . . . .

+All in all, did DLV 2015 meet your expectations?

+DLV 2015 exceeded my expectations: 27
+DLV 2015 met my expectations: 40
+DLV 2015 failed to meet my expectations: 3

No significant shift this year. We always want the "failed" to be as low
as possible and it dropped from 5 to 3 this year.
. . . . .

+Would you attend another DLV?

+Yes, definitely: 53
+Yes, probably: 14
+Maybe: 4
+Probably not: 0
+Definitely not: 0

Definite shift in the positive direction this year, an nothing south of
maybe. :) This is what we want to see! :)

Any further comments, anyone? :)


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