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: Would you be interested in hosting a Mumsnet stall at The Baby Show Oct 17th-19th?
(157 messages)
Sorry to disappoint guys - thanks so much for all your offers of help though. They'll be other events, we're sure, where you can peddle the delights of MN to the world...
FWIW it only requires a good man to do nothing for bad things to happen (paraphrasing madly here). In this case I think a good man doing nothing is equivalent just sitting back and going because the stall's already booked and hey it might be fun.
I was just looking at the website and remembering the ahem wonderful AK talk. If we go do we have to promise to stay away and not try to do a BLW heckle?
I wasn't allowed to heckle at the Birmingham one cause I had my SIL and mum with me
My opinion for what it's worth is this. Clarion organise a fair. they sort out the venue, lights, carpets, cleaners etc. They then INVITE companies to attend and hold a stall there.
they do not buy or sell the arms. they are responsible for the wooden stall's the guns are displayed on but nothing else.
and for that reason i see no need for us to pull out.
that and cos i would love to come and join in and get to meet some of you and nosey around teh show
I think you having a stall there would be a GoodThing.
Not least because it will go ahead regardless of your feelings, and your feelings can only be shared in any way by mumsnet and your members sharing said info.
SOOOOOOOOooooooo
Surely going to the babyshow and maybe gaining more members (what am I talking about, of course you will gain more members, why wouldn;t they come here, here is FABULOUS), is the way forward regarding educating people about things that are/maybe suspect.
I mean, I would never have heard why nestle was such an issue without MN.
and besides, DH has given me the yes nod to go......
Hi, I've just been to Clarion's website- they organise pretty much all the big shows in the uk, not just defence and security. I feel that the majority of people who would go to the baby show would go regardless of who did the organising. They also organise art and antiques fairs and caravan and motor home fairs. Are those also considered to be detrimental to image of mn?
oh interesting it does look very controversial on googling clarion arms fairs
By carriemumsnet on Thu 02-Oct-08 12:28:00
(from MNHQ)
Hi all
First off thanks for the overwhelming response to this appeal for help. We have a stall and we have internet access arranged (apparently not wireless, you need to plug it in ...) and we seem to have plenty of volunteers. So far so good.
But now something has come up and, as usual, we want you to contribute to our decision. We've had an email from a mumsnetter saying that Clarion, the Baby Show organisers, also organise arms fairs and questioning whether, in that case, Mumsnet should be associated with them.
I don't think any of us are pro arms, but you could argue that Clarion aren't manufacturing or selling arms, they're just the organisers of a fair.
If we attend the Baby Show we have the chance to introduce Mumsnet (a good thing we hope you'll agree ) to several thousand mums-to-be who will then find out, for example, why lots of Mumsnetters boycott Nestle as well as the truth about fruit shoots and Greggs sausage rolls.
Or we pull out now. It's another one of those 'where do you draw the line?' discussions and we're torn. What do you think?
Perfectly fine thanks. To what might you be alluding? (Actually anyone who went through what I did yesterday could be forgiven for turning to the bottle...)
If you can find a babyshow - we can get a stall I'm sure... though maybe not in your street. (Unless you live in a conference centre) (Am I rambling? I'm rambling.)
Aside from free entry to show someone internally has suggested we produce some MN badges - like blue peter ones - that only the most deserving receive to flogonebay wear with pride. Would that swing it for anyone?
I would show them.. the nest of vipers, any aibu thread, a fair few flouncing threads,a particularly judgy thread and some if X4nias early threads and Mozhes holiday one.
By carriemumsnet on Tue 30-Sep-08 15:22:15 (from MNHQ)
[...]
As for seeing the baby show, we'd imagine folks doing a couple of hours on the stand and then having an hour or so off and then coming back for a bit, so there should be plenty of time to explore and pick up all the goodie bags.
Volunteers would (presumably) get free entry to the show, though (not necessarily an inducement if you've ever been to one before, but there are normally a couple of interesting exhibitors).
will mnhq be planning some things for it? i mean it kind of sounds a bit like free ad for mn, get some mum volunteers to bring their own equipment and plan the stall etc and organise the others.
is it the cost of the stall mnhq are picking up, then us mners do the rest?
I don't have a laptop, but I'd be happy to spend a few hours on the stand (Earls Court) over the weekend ideally. Could possibly do Friday, but I'd be tied to when I could get there after the school run, and then getting back to pick the little buggers angels up.
Blimey - does that mean that all of the rest of us have to be extra witty/supportive/non sweary over that weekend, or will there be specific threads that the volunteers are linking to so we can be mean and judgy on all the other threads
By carriemumsnet on Tue 30-Sep-08 15:24:26
(from MNHQ)
Ruby and BecauseImWorthIt... think enough folks seem to be interested in principle to decide to go for it, but would imagine the team leader..whoever they might be... would need to know for sure in next week or so
By carriemumsnet on Tue 30-Sep-08 15:22:15
(from MNHQ)
Wow top response ... will go back and see if we can get the stand for definite (and one in Birmingham too) and will then need a team leader (or two) to coordinate all the lovely volunteers....Come on now, you know you love a clipboard and a spreadsheet.
As for seeing the baby show, we'd imagine folks doing a couple of hours on the stand and then having an hour or so off and then coming back for a bit, so there should be plenty of time to explore and pick up all the goodie bags.
Can'tSleepWon'tSleep - too excited by overwhelming response to Baby show stand to talk pedantics (or even even pendantics )...and case, crate, box or barrel... we'll drink any of 'em
Keep up the volunteering and in the words of Arnie, I'll be back
I'd be up for it as long as I could get away about 6pm to rush home and put DD to bed. I've always been a bit curious about these Baby Shows, but have never wanted to pay - so bit of volunteering would satisfy the curiosity.
Hummm, could possibly do a bit on 18th or 19th - could have no children & wireless laptop (but be warned tis a (diddy) mac and I don't understand it...)
<starts stocking up on wine barrels, as easier to roll on & off tube>
When it comes to the Birmingham one, I'm there. God, would love to do this (does the fact that this would be the most exciting thing going on in my life right now make me too sad?!)
>> 
<snubbed> 
