Nestle’s Happy, Healthy Gathering – Yes, I was there.
October 2, 2009 by Christine - From Dates to Diapers
Filed under Nestlé, events
Some of you may know that I just spent two days at the headquarters of the world’s #1 food corporation – Nestle. Nestle had the fabulous idea of bringing together a group of mom and dad bloggers, all-expenses paid, as somewhat of a first step in engaging in the social media space. Due to some of the “bashing” by some die-hard activists, who made it their personal mission to judge me for being there, I couldn’t quite make up my mind – should I blog about my experience with Nestle? And if so, when and how, exactly?
As I sit here on my plane trip home I decided that I will, in true YoungMommy fashion, write about my last two days, just like I would after any other event which I’ve been privileged to attend. Not because it’s expected of me, but because I want to – plain and simple. I plan to talk about my reasons for accepting Nestle’s invitation, what I discovered, and what I gained by this amazing experience. On a different day.
First, let me make myself very clear :: I’m not interested in debating Nestle’s practices or ethics. If you came to MY space with the goal of engaging me in any further discussion about why I am a “horrible person for accepting such an invitation,” accuse me of having “no ethics” or of being a “corporate shill,” please leave. If you are here to try to convince me that “Nestle kills babies” or “Nestle’s chocolate is blood-laden,” I am not interested in your comment – I’ve heard you loud and clear, but I will do my own research. If you would like to be polite and feel I may not have heard you before, feel free to email me.
To my dear readers who may be shocked by my uncharacteristic disclaimer, let me assure you that I will point you in the direction of the posts, tweets, and comments that led to this need. I encourage you to do some research yourself and seek to discover both sides, but I will not link to posts, sensationalized propaganda, or slanted media that only seek to point out Nestle’s “evil.”
Now, please take a look at my Whrrl stories from this week, found on my right sidebar, while I try to find my Butterfinger…
Comments will be moderated and deleted if you do not consider my wishes. My blog. My rules.
Looks like a fab trip – I don’t even know what the hubb-a-lo- is about?!
How do you get invited to an event like this?? Very cool
I am so glad your trip was a good one and that you learned so much. I look forward to reading more about Nestle and about your experience!
Good for you, Christine -
Your blog, your rules…love it.
I have followed the crap on Twitter and I am appalled at the behavior. I have not made any particular opinion on Nestle as I have not done enough research, but I have formed an opinion on all of those woman I watched casting stones from their glass houses. I, for one, am interested to hear what you learned.
I must agree that this post was very uncharacteristic of you, Christine. However, is it OK to say that I LOVED it? Reading you address the detractors of the Nestle event head on is fabulous.
Each of us possesses the right to address what we like in our own space. I am glad to see you doing just that here.
Well done.
Francesca
Oh it got so ridiculous!! It really put such a bad taste in my mouth & just bummed me out in general at how everything went. Can’t wait to read your future posts & see what the event was REALLY about – minus all the twitter drama:)
I love that you addressed the issue here, letting people know your stand in YOUR space.
I can’t wait to hear more about your trip, the pictures are very cool.
Christine – It looks like you had an amazing time and I’m sorry your experience has had a shadow cast over it by the tweeters. I can’t wait to hear more about what you experienced!
Good for you! I’m so glad you had a wonderful time and was the “face” of the rest of us who couldn’t be there. Can’t wait to her more about your trip!
Very well said and it was great meeting you @ Nestle Family. See you on Twitter
Good for you! Heading over to Whrrl to check it out now
I completely understand! I hope that you (and all that attended) were able to have a good time regardless of the back lash!
I’m glad you posted this…after all the crap that was all over Twitter it really bugged me on how some of the women were attacking others. Seriously…we aren’t in high school anymore!
Everyone is entitled to their opinions and to what products/events they use or attend. Just because someone doesn’t believe in a certain way does NOT make it okay to personally attack others.
I LOVED this post
And good for you for posting it! I’m just sorry for all the drama that some of y’all had to endure 
I’m not aware of the debate you mentioned but I will say that I appreciate the Carnation Breakfast drink mix because it is viewed by our local hospital dietician as a meal alternative and my 3 yr old was at risk for being underweight. I used Carn. in addition to carefully monitoring his eating and within about a months time he went from 30#s 12 oz to 32 #s. (He previously had only kept on 12oz from his weigh in Feb. to August I think it was.