Instead of Palm Springs, how about Orlando?

[Mocha]

Not to be a h8ter to this weekend in Palm Springs, and some can choose not to read the thread all together if they want. But I have atteneded 3 years in the past. It can be fun, when the timing is right. I would not imagine the timing to be right. It's tax week, which gives people more excuse to play like they don't have any money. I wouldn't want to be in a position of being in an already flaky city with people having even more options to choose from. Add in the whole coachella event, that's just too much.

 

Plus, I've gone to Palm Springs on my own in the past. 99.9% those guys are flakes. It's a lot of flakes in Florida too (latest excuse: his horse went lame and had to take to vet), but a lot more in Palm Springs. I've gone to Palm Springs about 5 times, 3 of those for forum events...and it's usually about the same. Fortunately, I'd already came into the area with money and it was more of a vacay/shopping or photo shoot than anything. Never stayed longer than I had to though.

 

Orlando often is host to a lot of different gay events. There's also more choices of lodging and dining here as well. In addition, one can rent out homes, up to 15 bedroom mansions (vacation homes). Plus, there's the "famous" Parliament House...which right now, is being taken over by a different group that came into town from all over. Not to mention, gay days is coming up in June. Though it's not really a big escort opportunity, it would be a better week than Coachella which is irrelevant to the events at task.

 

So if down the line someone ever wants to consider: think about it.

[mike carey]

There may well be better places than Palm Springs to be this weekend, both for escorts and clients. But that is not the point. People attend the event because they know there will be a level of camaraderie and they know that certain escorts and clients will be there. That is far more of an attraction than any other city where you may happen to have some number of escorts present. This is an event, it's not a random weekend in Palm Springs. No one is forcing either escorts or clients to attend but they know that they will meet each other in social settings that will not be available elsewhere. They know that the social environment may result in appointments. That's why people are there rather than in some other city where they may be able to meet an escort.

[Mocha]

There may well be better places than Palm Springs to be this weekend, both for escorts and clients. But that is not the point. People attend the event because they know there will be a level of camaraderie and they know that certain escorts and clients will be there. That is far more of an attraction than any other city where you may happen to have some number of escorts present. This is an event, it's not a random weekend in Palm Springs. No one is forcing either escorts or clients to attend but they know that they will meet each other in social settings that will not be available elsewhere. They know that the social environment may result in appointments. That's why people are there rather than in some other city where they may be able to meet an escort.

 

Well I do know that the hosts have abodes there, which is the primary reason for it being held there. I don't think it's specifically to do with Palm Springs though. Of course there's also the ability to add in Orlando, as have other areas that have hosted events.

 

It's just a thought. I'm just saying, I personally wouldn't have wanted to go to Palm Springs this time of month/year. I liked when I went in October, I had the whole hotel to myself. It's a chain now, but used to have a 60s name logo on it.

 

I personally feel the lodging should be more coordinated. It shouldn't be every man for himself trying to find a place to stay on such a busy, sold out weekend. As was the case the 1st and second time I went there. I was there with another escort, and he had to stay way out in palm desert or something, because all the hotels in town were booked up. If it's going to be a big forum meet up, make sure everyone attending has a place to stay. In Orlando, you can get a 16 bedroom mansion, $2,000 a day, split it with 40 people, comes out to $50 a day. Or rent two 16 bedroom homes, and make it $100 a day. Those places sleep up to 35. Or just limit the attendees or rent a second house if need be.

 

I'm just saying how I would do it. Someone will say, well stop complaining and do it then! However, I don't have a desire/motivation to host such events, so I won't do it. To whoever says that in the future. But, when I had a small group of people, I did rent vacation homes for us.

[Mocha]

Actually $2,000 was a high estimate. I see 12 bedroom/12 bath rental sleeps 32 guests for $1,395 a day. A 14/14 goes for $1,650 a day.

 

I'm just being hypothetical of course.

[+ VictorPowers]

Not to be a h8ter to this weekend in Palm Springs, and some can choose not to read the thread all together if they want. But I have atteneded 3 years in the past. It can be fun, when the timing is right. I would not imagine the timing to be right. It's tax week, which gives people more excuse to play like they don't have any money. I wouldn't want to be in a position of being in an already flaky city with people having even more options to choose from. Add in the whole coachella event, that's just too much.

 

Plus, I've gone to Palm Springs on my own in the past. 99.9% those guys are flakes. It's a lot of flakes in Florida too (latest excuse: his horse went lame and had to take to vet), but a lot more in Palm Springs. I've gone to Palm Springs about 5 times, 3 of those for forum events...and it's usually about the same. Fortunately, I'd already came into the area with money and it was more of a vacay/shopping or photo shoot than anything. Never stayed longer than I had to though.

 

Orlando often is host to a lot of different gay events. There's also more choices of lodging and dining here as well. In addition, one can rent out homes, up to 15 bedroom mansions (vacation homes). Plus, there's the "famous" Parliament House...which right now, is being taken over by a different group that came into town from all over. Not to mention, gay days is coming up in June. Though it's not really a big escort opportunity, it would be a better week than Coachella which is irrelevant to the events at task.

 

So if down the line someone ever wants to consider: think about it.

Lame horses can be terrible news. My condolences to your client as that sounds like a real excuse.

[njr47]

I have never attended the escort/client weekend in Palm Springs, but planned to do it this year. About 7 weeks ago, when I tried to make lodging arrangements, many places were already sold out----and all of the others (probably due to Coachella) were financially out of reach for me, and possibly others. If the organizers want to continue using Palm Springs for the event, maybe we/they can find a date when nothing else "big" is planned.

[+ WilliamM]

Well I do know that the hosts have abodes there, which is the primary reason for it being held there. I don't think it's specifically to do with Palm Springs though.

 

I totally agree.

[+ Hoover42]

You can always come to DC in January for the annual meet up there.

[coriolis888]

 

Well I do know that the hosts have abodes there, which is the primary reason for it being held there.

 

 

Although some escorts attend to do their thing, the chief purpose of the "get together" is for conviviality.

[MikeBiDude]

Not to be a h8ter to this weekend in Palm Springs, and some can choose not to read the thread all together if they want. But I have atteneded 3 years in the past. It can be fun, when the timing is right. I would not imagine the timing to be right. It's tax week, which gives people more excuse to play like they don't have any money. I wouldn't want to be in a position of being in an already flaky city with people having even more options to choose from. Add in the whole coachella event, that's just too much.

 

Plus, I've gone to Palm Springs on my own in the past. 99.9% those guys are flakes. It's a lot of flakes in Florida too (latest excuse: his horse went lame and had to take to vet), but a lot more in Palm Springs. I've gone to Palm Springs about 5 times, 3 of those for forum events...and it's usually about the same. Fortunately, I'd already came into the area with money and it was more of a vacay/shopping or photo shoot than anything. Never stayed longer than I had to though.

 

Orlando often is host to a lot of different gay events. There's also more choices of lodging and dining here as well. In addition, one can rent out homes, up to 15 bedroom mansions (vacation homes). Plus, there's the "famous" Parliament House...which right now, is being taken over by a different group that came into town from all over. Not to mention, gay days is coming up in June. Though it's not really a big escort opportunity, it would be a better week than Coachella which is irrelevant to the events at task.

 

So if down the line someone ever wants to consider: think about it.

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Orlando has less than nothing going for it in terms of gay life. It's a barren landscape.

 

As for culture, even less.

[Walker1]

Orlando has less than nothing going for it in terms of gay life. It's a barren landscape.

 

As for culture, even less.

Yup, I thought Orlando was a family friendly venue? Not for this sort of thing.

[rvwnsd]

There is a gathering in Chicago and another in DC. There is nothing preventing anyone from hosting an Orlando gathering.

[+ WilliamM]

 

 

 

Unfair to people who live three thousand miles from California, and have flown there many times over the years. As I get older, LAX is a bit of a challenge for me in renting and returning rental cars.

[mike carey]

Unfair to people who live three thousand miles from California, and have flown there many times over the years. As I get older, LAX is a bit of a challenge for me in renting and returning rental cars.

I agree LAX can be a challenge, but flying into Palm Springs is a breeze and although a car is useful you can easily manage without one for this event. That saves a bit of the extra money that it costs to fly there rather than to LAX. I'm not sure that flying 3000 miles is much more of an imposition than flying say 750, you'll often have a connection in either case. Others have commented on the lack of late notice accommodation, and that was discussed prominently here when the event was first scheduled with people urged to book then if they thought they might attend. PK made it known that he had an extra booking at the CC up till a week or so back, so there was an opportunity there, and I have seen at least one other post here about a reservation about to be given up.

[big-n-tall]

I have never attended the escort/client weekend in Palm Springs, but planned to do it this year. About 7 weeks ago, when I tried to make lodging arrangements, many places were already sold out----and all of the others (probably due to Coachella) were financially out of reach for me, and possibly others. If the organizers want to continue using Palm Springs for the event, maybe we/they can find a date when nothing else "big" is planned.

 

I don't know about the hotels in Palm Springs but most hotels (in major areas) let you book a year or almost a year in advance. Since you have a general idea when the gathering happens every year maybe you a can prebook a room. Hopefully, you can book without any type of prepayment.

[+ WilliamM]

I agree LAX can be a challenge, but flying into Palm Springs is a breeze and although a car is useful you can easily manage without one for this event. That saves a bit of the extra money that it costs to fly there rather than to LAX. I'm not sure that flying 3000 miles is much more of an imposition than flying say 750, you'll often have a connection in either case. Others have commented on the lack of late notice accommodation, and that was discussed prominently here when the event was first scheduled with people urged to book then if they thought they might attend. PK made it known that he had an extra booking at the CC up till a week or so back, so there was an opportunity there, and I have seen at least one other post here about a reservation about to be given up

 

I try not to change planes now because of a bad experience changing planes in Munich several years ago. Nobody's fault. I was in line behind three Bosnian soldiers flying to Newark.

 

And I can get a direct flight from Philadelphia to LAX.

[mike carey]

@WilliamM, understood. Changing planes is something I can't avoid (I could catch a bus to Sydney to avoid one change but check-in is much easier in Canberra). Travelling to the US on QF I can fly direct from Sydney to SF, LA or DFW, anywhere else involves a change, even flying QF to NYC where it's the same flight number but a different aircraft (A380 to LA, B747 on to NY). I suspect changing to an international sector would carry more potential risk than a domestic change.

[+ Pensant]

Unfair to people who live three thousand miles from California, and have flown there many times over the years. As I get older, LAX is a bit of a challenge for me in renting and returning rental cars.

I only use LAX for international travel. As Mike suggests, fly into PS. You’ll avoid the horrific eastbound afternoon and evening traffic on the 91. LAX is truly a grim airport.

[instudiocity]

Unfair to people who live three thousand miles from California, and have flown there many times over the years. As I get older, LAX is a bit of a challenge for me in renting and returning rental cars.

The flight distance from Palm Springs International Airport to Philadelphia International Airport is 2,304 miles.

 

LAX 2,401 is one of seven commercial aviation airports in Southern California. You could fly to Palm Springs, Ontario 2,356, San Diego 2,370, John Wayne-Santa Ana 2,380, Long Beach 2,391, or Burbank 2,392, all very close to fresh lemon groves to aid your sour puss.

 

How’s that for being unfair?

 

I know I’m being melodramatic, do you know your post is, too?

 

FYI, the furthest distance you can fly in the continental US from Philly is probably San Francisco 2,521 air miles. About an hour less in the air than the 3,000 you dramaticized.

Edited April 14, 2018 by instudiocity

[instudiocity]

And I can get a direct flight from Philadelphia to LAX.

And Santa Ana, and Long Beach, and San Diego. Maybe Ontario, maybe Burbank and possibly Palm Springs some days. Hell, fly to Phoenix, it’s onky a 4 hour drive with mild traffic.

 

FYI, I’d prefer connections out of Burbank with 2 hour Layover to trying to get to LAX for a direct flight. 24 miles down the 405= HELL, compared to 15 minutes, 5 mile drive to Burbank.

[mike carey]

For the hell of it I did a search on a flight aggregator for flights on a random date about three months out from now. PHL-PHX-PSP $315, PHL-LAX $226 (that was a direct flight, there were cheaper one stop flights to LAX) both fares one way. Both happened to be on American. Those might not be the best deals, and maybe RT would be lower, and the site returned the fares in AUD so I converted to USD at today's exchange rate. I agree that if you were set on a direct flight, driving from Phoenix might be preferable to driving from LAX (as might Las Vegas).

[+ WilliamM]

I know I’m being melodramatic, do you know your post is, too?

 

I had to go through security in Sarajevo and then again in Munich, and then run to the gate to board the plane in time for the flight for Munich-Newark

 

At the time, I was 70-years old.

[+ José Soplanucas]

About booking rooms, the organizers announced the dates of the gathering in PS many months ago. They insisted, and insisted, and insisted again, that we should book earlier if we wanted to attend. If anyone disregarded their advice and wait to the last minute, please do not blame Pam Springs, Coachella, the organizers, Donald Trump, or the liberal media.

 

About flying to LAX, I made my research to go there from DC. The extra money I paid to fly to Palm Springs airport is compensated by the money I saved from renting a car. The airport in PS is small, beautiful, and very relaxed. The taxi to Canyon Club was only 15 bucks.

Edited April 14, 2018 by latbear4blk

[+ SundayZip]

If you want an additional forum gathering in another location, you are free to organize it. Set a date, reserve the venues, post notices and invitations. Be positive and welcoming.

Edited April 14, 2018 by SundayZip