Vacation, Not Convention (was Re: Comments on the 2012 ...)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Katie Wilson
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Hi All.

This is not a reply to Yvonne as much as a way to solve the problem of
people who attend and still don't quite grasp what they are getting
into!... Even though they have been sent a easily understandable outline
of our event.

We really need to start the introduction by using capital letters
stating **This Is NOT A Convention** so please don't confuse it wit one!
IE:--Don't expect to be baby sat or driven around town at someone else's
time and expense. There will be No central hotel and NO Courtesy room
where you can be guided along to help you join the dots having left your
itinerary at home.[ Bring it with you if you have a full week planned
and your memory is suspect ].... The exception to this is the use of out
Big Sister Program which assists new girls along the way.

This is a totally volunteer run event and They need some vacation time
too so don't lean on them if every little thing doesn't go your way
unless you have to. Please be an adult like the rest of us and work it
out for yourself then if all fails ask for help but not until you have
at least tried.. Consider this as a regular vacation where things don't
always go perfectly and are ad-lib for the most part then you will have
fun in the process. (Most vacations are like that)!...This way you will
enjoy the week and come back with us again.

If you would like to change things then please feel free to volunteer
your advice via the organizing committee.

Maybe this would shake some of the disgruntled attendees into reality
before they come to L/V and are surprised that it is not a guided tour..

Huggers. Katie..

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

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Rosada Delano
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Good input Katie. I think an on-line meeting of the organizational committee
members should be called to order so as to come up with a way to enhance the
web page. Perhaps different wording, although I like "It's a Vacation - Not A
Convention" a lot. That should not change, but perhaps the use of bolder type,
maybe a different color along with bullet statements of what its not and what
it is!

Rosada

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

[External Poster]

This posting is from: JoAnn
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We must always take the opportunity to refine how we communicate our
message.

At the same time, I agree with Annie that there is a "core mission/
message" that make us unique- --- "It is a Vacation - Not a Convention".

So long as we express and are true to that message let's "go for it"....

JoAnn

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

[External Poster]

This posting is from: JoAnn
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Oh!!! How I love Katie's message as my "alter ego" talking.

But we need to make sure that people can "swallow the pill without
choking to death"

You now have the essence of my message.

Let us proceed onward.

JoAnn

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

[annie]

> We really need to start the introduction by using capital
> letters stating **This Is NOT A Convention** so please don't
> confuse it wit one!

That verbiage, and the concept, actually came about before DLV ever came to be. The expression "A vacation, not a convention" actually dates from 1996.

We've used that terminology frequently and consistencly ever since.

Let me count the ways, some of them, anyway ...

1. On our main page, the line "A Vacation, not a Convention" appears in the HTML title and immediately after the name of the event.

2. The About Us page (http://www.geekbabe.com/dlv/aboutus/) states: "Diva Las Vegas (DLV) is often called 'a vacation, not a convention' as our event is not based upon the model which is used for most of the other large TG community events in the US. {munch}"

3. The Introduction page (http://www.geekbabe.com/dlv/expect/) states "Diva Las Vegas is a vacation, not a convention, and is quite different from the vast majority of the TG community events {chomp}."

4. The FAQ (http://www.geekbabe.com/dlv/faq/) emphasizes: "Diva Las Vegas is a vacation, not a convention. Diva Las Vegas is not based on the model used for almost all of the other major TG gatherings. {deletia}"

In addition, we've been expanding and emphasizing the difference between DLV and other events in the general mailings and the Large Final Mailing.

It was specifically addressed in this mailing:

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2240

Look under "Misunderstandings and disappointments" and "Differences between DLV and other events" which are covered in depth.

If anyone thinks that Diva Las Vegas is simply a High Desert clone of Be-All or Colorado Goldrush, they either have not read the information we've been providing to them, or for some reason have chosen to ignore it.

> IE:--Don't expect to be baby sat or driven around town at someone
> else's time and expense.

If that's taken figuratively and not literally, I do think there's a valid point made regarding the new attendees' expectations.

The model of DLV requires that the attendee be more actively involved in the planning of one's time. At the conventions, you don't really need to plan things if you don't want to. You can just walk down to the lobby, look on the bulletin board, and decide there and then what to do. It requires very little planning effort on the part of the attendee.

At an event such as SCC or Be-All, it's indeed possible to totally blow off reading the material and still fully particpate. At DLV, it's impossible!

> There will be No central hotel and NO Courtesy room

This (common areas, hospitality room) has been discussed informally, particularly since DLV 2012 concluded, and one point that's been made, where I admit DLV is lacking, is in the social opportunities provided by such things as the lobby display, the hospitality suite, the vendor hall, etc.

A lot of mingling, interaction, getting to know each other, etc., occurs informally in these facilities. You know, that Quality Social Time that we strive for.

> The exception to this is the use of out Big Sister Program which
> assists new girls along the way.

I think there are some misunderstandings regarding the Big Sister Program as well. I think there are some expectations on the part of Little Sisters that are often impractical, and I think there are some limits on Big Sisters (it's their vacation too) regarding what they are able and willing to do.

For example, there was a suggestion to add "I (am/am not) willing to provide transportation to/from DLV activities to my Little Sister." to the questions on the sign-up screen.

In a very frank off-line conversation regarding Big Sister programs in general, our Big Sister Program was spoken of very highly by someone connected with said program at another event. We've had countless true success stories over the years with our Big Sister program.

> Maybe this would shake some of the disgruntled attendees into
> reality before they come to L/V and are surprised that it is not
> a guided tour..

I would use the term "disappointed" instead of "disgruntled", since we have very few truly disgruntled individuals.

I would draw the comparison between DLV in general and the Moroccan restaurant we've recently discussed. I think in both cases we have people who expected something else. In the case of the restaurant, they expected (or desired) more of a traditional restaurant, with which they were familiar, with the menu choices, options, etc. (Ya want bacon bits on that?)

I think our best approach is to acknowledge the situation and see what we can do about meeting the identified needs within our model.

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Cynthia Phillips
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Yall know of course that the "vacation, not convention" is just an
inverted BS conspiratorial buzz term that you married guys use to to
fool your spouses with:

"But, Honey, it's a convention, not a vacation !!" "I'm going to hate
every minute of it, but the boss says I got to go." hahahahaha ~

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

[Katie Wilson]

Good idea Rosada. I like that! It seems like it is not going to run though.
Maybe this would work.----- Keep our logo / jingle etc ( A Vacation not a Convention ) and Start the first paragraph with ......

***Take a Vacation from Conventions and their exorbitant fees***.

Come with us instead for an annual T Vacation planned ahead of time by our volunteers just for you with **No Attendance fee** and No Central Hotel either. >>> Which means that you can stay where you like at your own level of comfort and price! = ( More Vacation $$$$$$ to spend on yourself ) All levels of expertise are welcome as are Significant Others and respectful admirers too!

I think that Short and Sweet is best as most people stop reading when they see a second paragraph looming and all that nicely organized, carefully worded detailed info is wasted. The intro should grab the eye anyway and not put it to sleep with too much stuff to wade through!

Obviously those who like to research things first will read every line but 80% - 90% will not and our rules and our tantalizing protocol volumes though very informative are way too long for someone who just wants a worry free vacation.
I like *A Vacation not a Convention* too but every year there are more than a few new attendees who missed the point and expect the convention themes when they arrive in town. Hopefully they are not disappointed and are even encouraged by our fresh approach to T time holidays.

All you need to do is register to let us know you are coming and who you are then you are off and running to best T vacation you will ever have.

Huggers. Katie


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Good input Katie. I think an on-line meeting of the organizational committee
members should be called to order so as to come up with a way to enhance the
web page.
Rosada