Attending large hotel takeover - questions

exploringRM · 07-15-2009, 10:33 PM

We are attending a large 4 day hotel take over in October, Entice 2009 in Niagara Falls. There is one couple going that we have played with before and plan to play again, but...always fun to meet new people, especially from other areas of the country. Our track record for meeting people cold at swing clubs is not that great, we have better success with either meeting people through other people we already know or people that have contacted us online. We've also been to numerous house parties but that's an easy place to hook up, everyone's ready to play (provide there's some sort of attraction).

I'm looking for advice on how to setup some meets (with hopes to play) at the event. I don't want to contact TOO many people asking if they would like to meet, but also don't want to be left in the cold so to speak. For those experienced in this what have you done for these types of parties. Gone with no meets setup? Setup a number of meets? Have you ever gotten overbooked where you need to decline previously setup meetings. It also sounds so business like, but I want to connect with people in a nice way and also increase the chances of some hot playtime!

VegasLee · 07-15-2009, 11:20 PM

We have found when going to large conventions that it is best to not plan anything.

We have been to many conventions over many years and tried setting up some meets of groups. We even set one up once for the people from Swingers Board at a Las Vegas convention. Out of the 20 or so people that said they would show up, only six did. There are so many things to do and become distracted by at the bigger conventions that it is easy to blow off planned things.

We also hosted parties at the bigger conventions late at night and those worked for us. We would get 200 to 300 people showing up at the parties each night but that turns into work and you lose a lot of the fun factor.

Best to go with the flow, be social and meet people you are interested in. When going to the dinners if they are not assigned seating be sure to get around and sit with different people. If there are pool parties, don't just sit on one place waiting for the world to come to you. Get your drink and towel and walk around introducing your self to people.

If you can not hook up at a convention then chances are it is your own fault. Those that complain about the conventions being no good normally are the ones that sat on the side lines waiting for that perfect couple to walk up to them and beg for sex. Don't be that person.

Go with NO expectations and have a blast. That is always the best way.

LagniappeDC · 07-16-2009, 07:34 AM

Contact the folks hosting the convention and ask if they have any Yahoo Groups or similar "chat rooms" for the convention. If they don't, ask if you start/moderate one if they'll advertise it on the site. Usually Yahoo groups are pretty easy to get going and folks that run these conventions typically like ANY sort of extra advertising. Alternatively, ask if any large groups and coordinating a trip and check out whether they have any groups you can join. For instance, a podcast called SwingerCast arranged a group to go to Swingfest in Florida and they had a chat room, etc, to get everyone 'connected' before hand. It's also a popular tool for those who go to Desire to meet people before actually getting to Mexico. Good luck!

exploringRM · 07-16-2009, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LagniappeDC

Contact the folks hosting the convention and ask if they have any Yahoo Groups or similar "chat rooms" for the convention. If they don't, ask if you start/moderate one if they'll advertise it on the site. Usually Yahoo groups are pretty easy to get going and folks that run these conventions typically like ANY sort of extra advertising. Alternatively, ask if any large groups and coordinating a trip and check out whether they have any groups you can join. For instance, a podcast called SwingerCast arranged a group to go to Swingfest in Florida and they had a chat room, etc, to get everyone 'connected' before hand. It's also a popular tool for those who go to Desire to meet people before actually getting to Mexico. Good luck!

There is an event page on Swing Lifestyle so I can see many of the couples signed up for the event. I think there is also something on the Entice event page itself. So I have access to people going, I'm just trying to see how other people have experienced this type of event, just going and meeting people there or trying to setup some meets before hand. As Vegas mentioned in a previous post, that may be a difficult thing to do. There are plenty of opportunities to meet people there, but doing some online contacting it's like pre-ordering at a restaurant looking at the menu online

Of course there's no guarantee of anything more than a meet.

And I guess an issue, is if you do happen to meet a couple there at the same time you have arranged to meet another couple ahead of time.

N8ture Girl · 07-17-2009, 09:51 AM

Vegas Lee pretty much summed it up in the first sentence. When we go to hotel take overs we go to network. If we play then great, but we usually dont unless its someone that the likely hood of getting together again is small do to distance or something. Typically we just meet others and will get together at another time to play.

If we are signed up for such an event, we may contact other attendees to say "hey we will be there too, hope to see you there" we leave it open as far as meeting. We dont schedule a times to meet with anyone. We say we will look for you, or you look for us and be sure to say hi kind of thing. Or we will say we will be at such and such for drinks stop in and say hi.

It becomes to complicated when you try to arrange a bunch of meets. With all the activity you might find someting else to do at the same time you were supposed to meet a couple. We like to keep it open, go with the flow and not have a bunch of time commitments.

That's just our 2 cents.

JM153 · 07-17-2009, 06:27 PM

We have limited experience with conventions having been to only two. But for what its worth, we have done it both ways. The first convention we went cold, had a great time. The second convention I thought it would be even better if we had set up something ahead of time. We chated with a couple and agreed to meet for drinks the first afternoon. We met, but there was no chemistry. We then met two couples at the first cocktail party and the thee couples hit it off and played together most of the weekend. It certainly will not hurt to correspond with others who will be there and it may give you some comfort, but if it does not work out, then follow Vegas Lee's approach and you will not be sorry.

exploringRM · 07-17-2009, 06:31 PM

There should be a few couples we know there (and at least one we plan to play with at some point, they live far away so it's a good opportunity). It's not really a networking trip for us I don't think so much. We have many opportunities to do that near where we live (5 clubs within a little over an hour, lots of M&Gs). We're just looking at it as one long party at an on premise club and the opportunity to meet some hot couples!

JM153 · 07-18-2009, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exploringRM

We're just looking at it as one long party at an on premise club and the opportunity to meet some hot couples!

That is the way to look at it. Wish we were going to be there.

***JustAskJulie*** · 07-20-2009, 10:20 PM

The couple of hotel take-overs I've been to have been some of the most fun times I've had in swinging. The people tend to be friendlier for some reason and there are usually lots of things going on to encourage interactivity. But, just like any event don't set your expectations up for play, go to have fun and enjoy the weekend. If you are expecting to play too much, or wanting that to be the core of it, you will probably find yourselves disappointed. Not that it can't happen, but just that anytime you have a certain set of expectations you tend to get disappointed.

What we did before the last hotel take-over event that we attended was go through the list (luckily for us most of those who were attending were signed up on Swing Lifestyle and a list was available there) and just send out emails to those in our age & interest range. Not that we were looking to hook up, but just to introduce ourselves. Let them know that we'd be at the same event and looked forward to meeting them. Nothing more than that. Until you meet in person you aren't going to know if there's any chemistry or desire to play anyway, so why set it up for any expectations like that.

We use this same method when going to local clubs/socials, if there's a list available. We email those we might be interested in and just introduce ourselves and let them know we look forward to meeting them. From there we have an easy way to introduce ourselves when we see them in person and see what happens. It makes meeting new people in those types of social situations a lot less of a "cold call".

Ruff · 08-12-2009, 03:05 PM

Entice is a great time and more comfortable than you'd imagine. Setting up playtime prior to the convention is fine but trust me the atmosphere and the general friendliness of the people there will lead you to meet & engage in conversation more people than you'd think. Even though the thought of the hotel takeover can make one hesitate, it's alot more easygoing in person than it appears in print/font.

Ruff

celtic239 · 08-15-2009, 01:51 AM

My wife and I have just signed up to attend our first convention hosted by Tampa Bay Escapes. I thought the wife would like the format they are offering in that it appears not to be a big media event like Swingfest yet offers some seminars that might get her comfortable in checking out the lifestyle. Even though we have been to clothing optional resorts, an on premise club and a meet and greet we still put the "N" in Newbie.

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07-15-2009, 10:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
exploringRM Swingers Board Addict Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 850 Location: York, PA Status: Couple - he posts/reads Swing Lifestyle Name:hereforfunrm	Attending large hotel takeover - questions We are attending a large 4 day hotel take over in October, Entice 2009 in Niagara Falls. There is one couple going that we have played with before and plan to play again, but...always fun to meet new people, especially from other areas of the country. Our track record for meeting people cold at swing clubs is not that great, we have better success with either meeting people through other people we already know or people that have contacted us online. We've also been to numerous house parties but that's an easy place to hook up, everyone's ready to play (provide there's some sort of attraction). I'm looking for advice on how to setup some meets (with hopes to play) at the event. I don't want to contact TOO many people asking if they would like to meet, but also don't want to be left in the cold so to speak. For those experienced in this what have you done for these types of parties. Gone with no meets setup? Setup a number of meets? Have you ever gotten overbooked where you need to decline previously setup meetings. It also sounds so business like, but I want to connect with people in a nice way and also increase the chances of some hot playtime!

07-15-2009, 11:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
VegasLee Laura's Male Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,951 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Status: Laura's Male	Re: Attending large hotel takeover - questions We have found when going to large conventions that it is best to not plan anything. We have been to many conventions over many years and tried setting up some meets of groups. We even set one up once for the people from Swingers Board at a Las Vegas convention. Out of the 20 or so people that said they would show up, only six did. There are so many things to do and become distracted by at the bigger conventions that it is easy to blow off planned things. We also hosted parties at the bigger conventions late at night and those worked for us. We would get 200 to 300 people showing up at the parties each night but that turns into work and you lose a lot of the fun factor. Best to go with the flow, be social and meet people you are interested in. When going to the dinners if they are not assigned seating be sure to get around and sit with different people. If there are pool parties, don't just sit on one place waiting for the world to come to you. Get your drink and towel and walk around introducing your self to people. If you can not hook up at a convention then chances are it is your own fault. Those that complain about the conventions being no good normally are the ones that sat on the side lines waiting for that perfect couple to walk up to them and beg for sex. Don't be that person. Go with NO expectations and have a blast. That is always the best way.
	__________________ You all laugh at me because I am different. I laugh at all of you because you are all the same.

07-16-2009, 07:34 AM	#3 (permalink)
LagniappeDC Swingers Board Addict Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 203 Location: Washington DC Status: Couple Swing Lifestyle Name:lagniappeDC	Re: Attending large hotel takeover - questions Contact the folks hosting the convention and ask if they have any Yahoo Groups or similar "chat rooms" for the convention. If they don't, ask if you start/moderate one if they'll advertise it on the site. Usually Yahoo groups are pretty easy to get going and folks that run these conventions typically like ANY sort of extra advertising. Alternatively, ask if any large groups and coordinating a trip and check out whether they have any groups you can join. For instance, a podcast called SwingerCast arranged a group to go to Swingfest in Florida and they had a chat room, etc, to get everyone 'connected' before hand. It's also a popular tool for those who go to Desire to meet people before actually getting to Mexico. Good luck!

07-17-2009, 09:51 AM	#5 (permalink)
N8ture Girl Swingers Board Addict Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 293 Location: Virginia Status: Female half of a couple Swing Lifestyle Name:prometheius	Re: Attending large hotel takeover - questions Vegas Lee pretty much summed it up in the first sentence. When we go to hotel take overs we go to network. If we play then great, but we usually dont unless its someone that the likely hood of getting together again is small do to distance or something. Typically we just meet others and will get together at another time to play. If we are signed up for such an event, we may contact other attendees to say "hey we will be there too, hope to see you there" we leave it open as far as meeting. We dont schedule a times to meet with anyone. We say we will look for you, or you look for us and be sure to say hi kind of thing. Or we will say we will be at such and such for drinks stop in and say hi. It becomes to complicated when you try to arrange a bunch of meets. With all the activity you might find someting else to do at the same time you were supposed to meet a couple. We like to keep it open, go with the flow and not have a bunch of time commitments. That's just our 2 cents.
	__________________ ~You only get out of it what you put into it~

07-17-2009, 06:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
JM153 Swingers Board Addict Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 149 Location: South Central Texas Status: Couple	Re: Attending large hotel takeover - questions We have limited experience with conventions having been to only two. But for what its worth, we have done it both ways. The first convention we went cold, had a great time. The second convention I thought it would be even better if we had set up something ahead of time. We chated with a couple and agreed to meet for drinks the first afternoon. We met, but there was no chemistry. We then met two couples at the first cocktail party and the thee couples hit it off and played together most of the weekend. It certainly will not hurt to correspond with others who will be there and it may give you some comfort, but if it does not work out, then follow Vegas Lee's approach and you will not be sorry.

07-17-2009, 06:31 PM	#7 (permalink)
exploringRM Swingers Board Addict Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 850 Location: York, PA Status: Couple - he posts/reads Swing Lifestyle Name:hereforfunrm	Re: Attending large hotel takeover - questions There should be a few couples we know there (and at least one we plan to play with at some point, they live far away so it's a good opportunity). It's not really a networking trip for us I don't think so much. We have many opportunities to do that near where we live (5 clubs within a little over an hour, lots of M&Gs). We're just looking at it as one long party at an on premise club and the opportunity to meet some hot couples!

07-20-2009, 10:20 PM	#9 (permalink)
*JustAskJulie* Your Hostess Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 29,288 Location: In my House Status: Female Swing Lifestyle Name:swingersboard	Re: Attending large hotel takeover - questions The couple of hotel take-overs I've been to have been some of the most fun times I've had in swinging. The people tend to be friendlier for some reason and there are usually lots of things going on to encourage interactivity. But, just like any event don't set your expectations up for play, go to have fun and enjoy the weekend. If you are expecting to play too much, or wanting that to be the core of it, you will probably find yourselves disappointed. Not that it can't happen, but just that anytime you have a certain set of expectations you tend to get disappointed. What we did before the last hotel take-over event that we attended was go through the list (luckily for us most of those who were attending were signed up on Swing Lifestyle and a list was available there) and just send out emails to those in our age & interest range. Not that we were looking to hook up, but just to introduce ourselves. Let them know that we'd be at the same event and looked forward to meeting them. Nothing more than that. Until you meet in person you aren't going to know if there's any chemistry or desire to play anyway, so why set it up for any expectations like that. We use this same method when going to local clubs/socials, if there's a list available. We email those we might be interested in and just introduce ourselves and let them know we look forward to meeting them. From there we have an easy way to introduce ourselves when we see them in person and see what happens. It makes meeting new people in those types of social situations a lot less of a "cold call".

08-12-2009, 03:05 PM	#10 (permalink)
Ruff Here to Stay Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 40 Location: NYC Status: Single Male Swing Lifestyle Name:BLKTHKRUFF	Re: Attending large hotel takeover - questions Entice is a great time and more comfortable than you'd imagine. Setting up playtime prior to the convention is fine but trust me the atmosphere and the general friendliness of the people there will lead you to meet & engage in conversation more people than you'd think. Even though the thought of the hotel takeover can make one hesitate, it's alot more easygoing in person than it appears in print/font. Ruff
	__________________ *Ruff*

08-15-2009, 01:51 AM	#11 (permalink)
celtic239 Swingers Board Addict Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 503 Location: new york	Re: Attending large hotel takeover - questions My wife and I have just signed up to attend our first convention hosted by Tampa Bay Escapes. I thought the wife would like the format they are offering in that it appears not to be a big media event like Swingfest yet offers some seminars that might get her comfortable in checking out the lifestyle. Even though we have been to clothing optional resorts, an on premise club and a meet and greet we still put the "N" in Newbie.

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