I do like Jennifer's idea of having 3 centralized events . . . well, even 4 or 5 considering those members in the UK/Europe and Australia . . . especially as it relates to travel expenses. I think that our Canadian members can attend whichever regional US location is preferable, closest, or easiest for them.
San Francisco sounds good, so does Kansas City for the central portion of the US, what about Richmond, VA for those of us on the east coast?
Dress code can be as I suggested earlier . . . members should wear whatever they are most comfortable with, be it femme or drag, with no criticism for their comfort levels. However, having a changing area available at 'the venue' would be a nice option, too.
Any comments or suggestions? Volunteers???
- SL
SilverLady(SO) - Native Motor City and Wolverine gal . . . GO BLUE!! - Molon Labe - Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis - Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum - Proud Military Family - Navy, Army, Coast Guard, National Guard
Tri-Ess had their HEF conference here in Dallas in 2006. I found it to be a huge confidence booster to a TG (me) going out for the first time in public. Not only is it good for the TG, but when you have a supor SO sessions too, it makes all the difference. We had TG's from all over the country and Canada attend. Dress code was what ever made you feel compy. If you wanted to dress Drab that was OK too. I only booked that Saturday but did attend a party that Friday night. I went to the party in Drab. Had a great time and no one cared I was in Drab. On Saturday I was all dressed up and had a wonderful day.
Since it was held at a public Hotel, all the staff knew who and what we were, so did all the guest's too. Thus you could relax, be yourself, and not worry about being read. One thing the Hotel insisted on was that a Hotel Security Guard be present at all times. This was to make sure no one hassled us in any way. We only had one problem and that was in the Hotel Bar that evening. Some of us did not want to go to the concert, so we hung out in the bar. This red-neck started making rude remarks. AThe female bartender went over to him and told him to leave the bar. That made him even more mad, but he got up and left. The others in the bar left us alone.
It sounds like fun. I'd love to do it but attendance would have to do with time and location.
I've never been to one of these events although the Fantasia Fair in Provincetown Mass in the fall (probably what Jeannie was referring to) has always intrigued me. Provincetown is the sort of place where sometimes straight heterosexuals feel uncomfortable till they get to know the place and it's also a place for other people who just feel "different" like interracial couples. It's a lovely place, very charming. Of course it's only convenient for New Englanders.
Since there aren't that many of us and logistics for this sort of thing can get very complex very fast, I think that the idea of a sub group at one or several conventions might be a good way to start rather than having our own tiny convention. Although I guess we could all meet on Jeannies porch for hot dogs, hamburgers, and exciting night of watching life in beautiful downtown Waterbury. I'm told there are plenty of nice bridges to sleep under in Waterbury also.
As for dress isn't the point of this forum that we should be able to dress as we want to and feel comfortable doing it? I suspect I would want the options of dressing as either or both genders so I wouldn't want a mandatory gender of clothing.
Fall or spring would be nice as I don't really dress en femme much in the summer due to the heat.
As an aside I guess for me doing this involves being a lot more out with my wife since I am not about to go somewhere for the weekend without telling her where and why. So as appealing as this idea is it would depend on a lot of other stuff for me and no doubt many others.
Absaroka
everything under the sun is in tune
but the sun is eclipsed by the moon
Not sure how I missed this one. Yea I do, too busy with working on our hous and when I do read messages I tend to be tired and go through them quickly.
Any way, I think a gathering would be great. A big issue for many will be cost of getting some where with fuel and airfare prices up. With how far we are all spread out most of us will need to travel a distance. And second issue I know for many will be the breaking in of the personal space. As others have related to, knowing others via the internet is one thing, but face to face can be scary. The big plus I see is we are doing it as a group and we all have this CD/TG trait and understand the confidentiality issues. Besides we are not going to ask to see 3 forms of personal information or ID's with your real name, address, and phone number, and panty size.
As for location, I would think in conjunction with another event would be good as we can up their numbers a bit and take advantage of their organization and facilities. Those attending could just attend our GOTT or both events. For me being here in the middle of the USA you would think things would be close for me. But no they are usually one coast or another. I even need to travel about an hour to get to a town of larger size. But wow The Fall Harvest would only be a half a day drive for me to get to.
Fall Harvest is a New/Old event. It use to take place in Omaha and some of them in Kansas City and has been one of the smaller TG events from my understanding. Leadership in to keep the event going dwindled and now a past attendee of many of them has taken up the leadership and moved it to Kansas City again. It is a smaller event but this may be an attraction to many here on the forum. The also have a nice lineup of out and about events planned. Weather in KC that time of year is mixed from nice 60's-70's plus down to snow and cold. They are far enough south to get nice warm weather and far enough north to get wintery cold weather. But if events are kept within the hotel for the most part it should not be an issue. Besides a cold wind up your skirt is invigorating and if you are out it is only from the building to a vehicle. Other than being closer for me, KC is fairly central USA, a bit farther for our Canada gurls and those from other continents that may come. The KC airport is a mid-sided and a hub for Midwest Airlines. Southwest Airlines. And KC is fairly close for our founding leaders of this forum if they would grace us with their presence.
Minneapolis, MN may be a more central location and is a major hub for Northwest airlines. But I do not believe there is any events we could piggy back on. My wife and I have been up to Mpls area for several Femme weekend getaways and have had no problem being out. They also have the Mall of America for shopping. And actually many other nice malls also.
I would say along with who would come, what would you like to have for activities?
kimberlys-cd
joe in a skirt
PS: smaller regional GOTT events is also a good idea. Would be more financially doable by more people. But still travel for those not near any regional even. Where may go along with what CJ is doing with the distribution of where we are all at.
Site Administrator
I am a physically male person that likes to wear feminine clothes at times.
Just trying keep a balance for my self along with keeping my wife and kids in mind.
Hi--
It's good that there's interest and a will to do this. For whatever reason, the regionals don't appeal to me much, even though they are practical. Many of my forum connections are with people on the East Coast or in the middle of the country, whether it be U.S. or Canada.
At the moment, the difficulty of traveling is on ALL of our minds, and that's just something we're going to have to deal with over time. The Internet has made communication easier, but it hasn't helped when it comes to packing up and going to a distant location. Oh, it's made it easier to book the tickets, and find out how to drive to your friend's house once you're in the rental car, that's for sure. Going a thousand miles, though, still takes time and effort.
There is already various CD/TG conventions that are held every year. Why not compile a list of them and post that list as a sticky. Since all CD/TG conventions are open to all including the Annual Tri_Ess "Holdiday En Fem", there should not be any problem attending any of them.
San Francisco sounds good, so does Kansas City for the central portion of the US, what about Richmond, VA for those of us on the east coast?
Proud Military Family - Navy, Army, Coast Guard, National Guard 
