Question for Corey

[luvnaturism]

I notice that INA and ClothesFee TV generate tons of exposure for Desert Shadows, but virtually nothing at all for the numerous other fine naturist places in the Palm Springs area.

Does INA have a marketing agreement with Desert Shadows? If so, wouldn't it be a good idea to disclose that? You really are doing a lot of "product placement" for Desert Shadows.

Also, it's been my understanding that The Naturist Society is a major investor in Desert Shadows. How does that all come together with your own business interests?

[luvnaturism]

I notice that INA and ClothesFee TV generate tons of exposure for Desert Shadows, but virtually nothing at all for the numerous other fine naturist places in the Palm Springs area.

Does INA have a marketing agreement with Desert Shadows? If so, wouldn't it be a good idea to disclose that? You really are doing a lot of "product placement" for Desert Shadows.

Also, it's been my understanding that The Naturist Society is a major investor in Desert Shadows. How does that all come together with your own business interests?

[FireProf]

I know I'm not Corey and this is a question for him but knowing a little bit about the Palm Springs resorts I can only assume that the reasons are;

Desert Shadows is larger than any of the others.

Has a full service bar and restaurant.

Can handle the numbers of guest better.

Has more activities and amenities.

Three pools as opposed to one.

but......you are right.....INA does do lots of advertising for DS and I would be interested to know if there is something more than what I've listed above.

Sorry for chiming in. BTW.....we just visited DS for the day yesterday. Great day, great weather and for a change, more women than men visiting yesterday.....go figure!!

[luvnaturism]

FireProf -

No problem about you or anyone "chiming in."

My curiosity is just aroused. INA's stated purpose: "We have no other agenda except promoting wholesome nude recreation through all media. Period." INA does SO much to give visibility to DS and next to nothing to aid the many other possibilities offered in that area. I just began to wonder if there might be some other agenda.

You're right that Desert Shadows is the largest and only full service resort, but I doubt that their capacity exceeds that of the many smaller places combined. They're also considerably more expensive than some others, which is an important consideration for younger adults—-and younger adults are INA's target audience.

My understanding is that Desert Shadow's occupancy rate doesn't come close to some of the others, particularly Terra Cotta. So, in that sense, DS isn't the most popular. Based on our four or five night stay, DS staff also has a long way to go to equal the hospitality offered elsewhere.

But it's not my purpose to knock anyone. It just seems like an organization seeking to expand naturism, especially among younger adults, would do more to highlight other opportunities. I think you were the one who recently pointed out that there are 80+ places in the general area--it was some surprisingly large number anyway. How much do you learn about those places through INA's efforts?

Just a question.

[Bartamus]

Luvnaturism: Let me try to field this one on behalf of INA. I'm planning to join our crew this weekend in Palm Springs.
At the risk of speaking on behalf of Desert Shadows, I can attest to the fact that owner Steve Payne would like to encourage more young naturists to check out his beautiful resort. I know on weekends they allow folks who are not staying there to visit for the day for a small fee. I've seen several younger naturists there on those occasions.
Lupin Naturist Resort near San Jose is another club that partners with INA. We've been there at least twice doing video shoots and we plan to go back soon.
Yes we'd like to have more of these partners in naturism but it's much easier when the owners dig INA as much as we dig them!
Dig?

[nudeM]

I would have to weigh in on this as well. It may seem that INA caters to DS and Lupin, but I don't think it is because of 'business interests' I would lean on the fact, they, INA and the owners/management of the aformentioned resorts, are very good friends, and only friends. I dont' think there is no personal interests to gain. True, it may seem like a 'promotional ad', but I don't think that is the case.

I only wish I could visit a nudist resort sometime soon, but during this time of the year, I don't see it in the cards (I work on air conditioners).

[sw1sweendog]

hey corey,im busy this weekend.but it was nice meeting you ,corky and melanie, at more mesa.

[FireProf]

luvnaturism,

I think that's what I was trying to say in a roundabout way........TCI's occupancy is always at about 70% or more and they only have 17 rooms. Morningside is a bit smaller but I don't think they have the occupancy percentage as TCI does.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that DS would be able to accomodate a larger group of people along with having those extra amenities should INA's visit attract a large crowd this weekend.

Personally, my wife and I prefer TCI and have become fairly good friends with the owners, we just like to visit other places as well and DS is one of those places.

[luvnaturism]

quote:

Originally posted by Bartamus:
Luvnaturism: Let me try to field this one on behalf of INA....At the risk of speaking on behalf of Desert Shadows, I can attest to the fact that owner Steve Payne would like to encourage more young naturists to check out his beautiful resort....Lupin Naturist Resort near San Jose is another club that partners with INA. We've been there at least twice doing video shoots and we plan to go back soon....Yes we'd like to have more of these partners in naturism but it's much easier when the owners dig INA as much as we dig them!
Dig?

No, I don't really "dig" this answer.

It's not my intention to be antagonistic or create a problem; that's not where I'm coming from. And I really don't care if you or some other appropriate person speaks on behalf of Corey. No problem there.

But the question was "Does INA have a marketing agreement with Desert Shadows?" You didn't answer that question.

With respect to the desire of Steve Payne to encourage more young adults to check out his resort, how many of the other property owners in the area do you think wouldn't like to have more visits from young adult naturists?

With respect to the cooperation that has also been provided by Lupin, cooperation is one thing and a marketing agreement is another. The amount of content that appears from DS is many times more than has ever appeared from Lupin or any other club.

So...I'm curious. If INA is driven by it's publically stated purpose, I would expect to see more exposure given to a variety of places that offer opportunities. If the agenda has changed, let's say so openly.

But let me be clear: if INA does have a marketing agreement, I would not see anything wrong with it so long as it is publically disclosed. With public disclosure those who use and/or subscribe to INA's services can do so with awareness of the built-in bias that would result from such an agreement. The only thing is that I might then recommend that INA's mission statement should be revised in the interest of letting all understand the organization we are asked to support, but no big deal.

[Trailscout]

Luvnaturism,

I think your points are well-taken. The best journalism involves investigative reporting rather than following the old familiar path. That I think is what INA's team may be guilty of, simply not doing the legwork to investigate the entire C/O resort scene in the deserts of Southern California. Of course it's easier for the film crew to keep going to the same old places, but that is not what makes for the most informative journalism.

[Bartamus]

Luvnaturism, Trailscout and whoever else has a need for this information. No, INA has absolutely NO marketing agreement with Desert Shadows or any naturist resort. I'm sorry you didn't "dig" my answer. Obviously, you didn't understand it. So let me try again with an example. Laguna Del Sol near Sacramento is another naturist club that INA has visited, shot nudes in the news..even set up a booth at Nudestock. We covered their "Buff and Wax"car show. Unfortunately Laguna Del Sol doesn't like INA. We've tried very hard to work with them, and in fact promoted their resort for two years, but they unlike other naturists venues don't feel the need to promote youth naturism.
No Luvnaturism, we don't have "a marketing agreement" with anyone. We feel the naturist resort must first accept us before any of that could happen.
By the way, the weekend at Desert Shadows was awesome. You'll be seeing it on Nudes in the News.

[luvnaturism]

Bartamus - Thank you for a clear reply. I appreciate it.

Now I'm left to wonder why there would be naturist resorts that wouldn't be happy to have free publicity. Since the earlier discussion focused on the Palm Springs area, I do realize that many of the facilities are focused on a slice of the market that doesn't quite fit with INA's goal. Those that are marketing primarily to gays, for instance.

But that would leave several places that I would think would be glad for a little exposure.

Thanks again.

[soundman]

Many of the other clubs in the Palm Springs area are couples only. How are the single guys of INA supposed to get in? Also, how is Corey and Melanie supposed to get in with their kids? Many clubs don't allow kids.

[Guest]

quote:

Originally posted by luvnaturism:
Bartamus - Thank you for a clear reply. I appreciate it.

Now I'm left to wonder why there would be naturist resorts that wouldn't be happy to have free publicity.

They would most likely!

However, having clothesfree there and taking pics and videos isn't really publicity when it's only available to CF members.

[luvnaturism]

quote:

Originally posted by soundman:
Many of the other clubs in the Palm Springs area are couples only. How are the single guys of INA supposed to get in? Also, how is Corey and Melanie supposed to get in with their kids? Many clubs don't allow kids.

There's a substantial difference between allowing single guys in as guests and allowing them as workers who come to do a job and then leave. And Corey doesn't always take his whole family when he goes on assignment. We ran into him at Club Orient, and there was just the necessary INA crew.