Actually, we did this last year. In The Netherlands we have an association of lay and professional breastfeeding organizations, including LLL and the LC-org. that organizes a conference every other year. Last year big discussions arose upon the message that Medela wasn't complying anymore, and who to accept and who not now? eventually the decision was made: no commercial exhibitors, only reps from the organizing organizations. And guess what? It didn't make attendance for visitors any more expensive! Evaluations showed that about 50/50 of the visitors did or did not miss the commercial exhibit.
Warmly,
Gonneke IBCLC in PP, LC lecturer in Southern Netherlands
Twitter @eurolacpuntnet
________________________________
From: Winnie Mading <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Sunday, July 10, 2011 5:30 PM
Subject: code and the conference
If one takes the "purist" view then there would be no comercial exhibits at our
conferences. Many of will be missing the conference because the cost has become
just too much, especially for those retired or not operating at a profit. Can
you imagine the cost of there were no exhibitor income!? I bet the registration
would be at least double what it is now. (maybe someone can tell us just how
much of the conference cost os paid by sponsorships and exhibitor fees,)
I suspect there is not one commercial exhibitor that someone would feel is
"inappropriate" for one reason or another. What to do. It's simple. Don't
visit their booth. Do not enter their drawing. If you win a door prise from
them, refuse it. If they don't draw a big enough audience, give out enough
literature or gather a big enough mailing list, they will not be likely to
return. If a lot of people don't like an exhibitor being there and they ignore
the booth, they won't be back. On the other hand, if only a handful object,
should they prevent the majority from "benefiting" from the information they
offer?
I would not want to have to be the one to decide some of the grey areas. I
think we can all agree, for example, that exhibits from formula companies would
not be appropriate. Single companies that are Code violators would be out. The
question of subsideraries of non compliant companies is a little trickier.
As for pump companies, at one time there were only two choices. Now there is at
least one other which at least for now is compliant and supportive of the Code.
If you are concerned about those "grey area" companies, only visit the one(s)
with whose policies you agree. If you wish, you could inform the others
politely that you do not agree with thei company policies so are nt interested
in what they have to offer.
In other words, be proactive, not reactive.
Enjoy the conference, those of you fortunate enough to be able to afford
attending.
Winnie Mading
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