Tech Conference bans Booth Babes

[monsterz]

I think this is a huge step in the right direction.  I have always hated the way  I was treated at tech conferences as a result of the presence of booth babes.


www.networkworld.com/article/2902752/security0/rsa-conference-bans-booth-babes.html


In what may be a first for the technology industry, RSA Conference 2015 next

month apparently will be bereft of a long-controversial trade-show attraction:

“booth babes.”

While RSA does not use the term “booth babe” specifically, language in this

year’s exhibitor contract makes clear what style of salesmanship is no longer

welcome at this event, according to a post by security expert Bill Brenner on

the LiquidMatrix blog. That language reads:

All Expo staff are expected to dress in business and/or business casual attire. Exhibitors should

ensure that the attire of al staff they deploy at their booth (whether the exhibitor’s direct employees

or their contractors) be considered appropriate in a professional environment. Attire of an overly

revealing or suggestive nature is not permitted. Examples of such attire may include but are not

restricted to:

Tops displaying excessive cleavage;

Tank tops, halter tops, camisole tops or tube tops;

Miniskirts or minidresses;

Shorts;

Lycra (or other Second-Skin) bodysuits;

Objectionable or offensive costumes.

These guidelines are applicable to all booth staff, regardless of gender, and will be strictly

enforced. We reserve the right to request that individual booth staff change their attire or leave the

premises immediately if we feel their appearance might be offensive to other exhibitors or

attendees.

I’ve reached out to conference organizers to see what prompted the decision,

though that may seem obvious to those who have followed the increasingly

heated debates about “booth babes” over the years. (Update: See RSA's reply
below.)

There’s even a Wikipedia page devoted to the practice and controversy, though

that page demurely refers to “booth babes” as “promotional models.” The

gaming conference PAX has had a ban on “booth babes” for years.

Reaction to the RSA ban has been positive, at least on Twitter, though not

without snark:

And a colleague here at Network World raises the question of whether RSA’s

ban might lead to a slippery slope: “So are they going to give some shapely tech

exec crap if she likes to wear short skirts?”
I doubt it – the Potter Stewart test should suffice -- but the proof will be on the

show floor.

(UPDATE: Reply from Linda Gray, event manager, RSA Conferences: “We felt

that including this language in the exhibitor contracts was the best way to

ensure all exhibitors were made aware of these new guidelines. We thought this

was an important step towards making all security professionals feel

comfortable and equally respected during the show.” They have yet to receive

any complaints, Gray says.)

[Deleted]

I shouldn't find this funny but I do.

I've been a promo girl / model and thought it was fun. Quick and easy cash. Lol.

I do think there's a time and a place. At a tech conference not necessary.... At adult industry conference definitely.

[imojoebunny]

We used to have these at telecom conferences in the 1990's. At the time, I could have been one, except for my business suit and MBA, but It is not hard to see how the presence of women hired solely for their looks would create a case for a hostile work environment for professionals who actually do the work.

I don't think it is a voluntary move, so much as a long over due common sense/HR requirement.

[Deleted]

Mar 26, 2015 19:14:51 GMT -5 imojoebunny said:

We used to have these at telecom conferences in the 1990's. At the time, I could have been one, except for my business suit and MBA, but It is not hard to see how the presence of women hired solely for their looks would create a case for a hostile work environment for professionals who actually do the work.

I don't think it is a voluntary move, so much as a long over due common sense/HR requirement.

I think the assumption that women hired for their looks don't work hard or don't have an MBA creates a more hostile work environment.

Just my thought....

[monsterz]

My issue with this is as a female subject matter expert in the tech industry I was very often ignored when I was staffing the booth. Customers would come in, I would ask if I could help and they would basically tell me they were looking for the smartest person in the booth and walk by me. On more than 1 occasion a co-worker would then bring the individual over to me so I could answer their question. The look on people's faces was often priceless as they would then stutter and apologize.

The presence of "booth babes" makes it challenging for those of us in the tech industry to be take seriously when at events. It is hard enough being a female in technology let's not make it harder.

[Deleted]

Mar 26, 2015 19:41:05 GMT -5 incogneato said:

Mar 26, 2015 19:16:42 GMT -5 @blissoff said:

I think the assumption that women hired for their looks don't work hard or don't have an MBA creates a more hostile work environment.

Just my thought....

*snort*

If a person gets hired FOR their looks, why would anyone just assume they have an MBA? And why would someone with an MBA choose to be a "booth babe" for a career? I mean, maybe Giselle is an astrophysicist ( heh heh heh) but since her job is underwear model, I'm not going to expect that from her. I'll assume she's a model, and her job is to be hot.

As for the OP, I'm kind of amazed that this is still going on. At porn shows or car shows, I could see it, but tech shows? Ew.

Lingerie models are different than promo models.

A lot of people I know do promo modeling because it pays well and is only a few hours work and fits around their school (a few going for MBA) schedule.

My point is the female shaming. That said pretty face is only a pretty face slc has no ambitions outside of that.

Sure, plenty of women are happy to be a model but most I've met do it as a means to an end.

[Deleted]

Mar 26, 2015 19:45:32 GMT -5 monsterz said:

My issue with this is as a female subject matter expert in the tech industry I was very often ignored when I was staffing the booth. Customers would come in, I would ask if I could help and they would basically tell me they were looking for the smartest person in the booth and walk by me. On more than 1 occasion a co-worker would then bring the individual over to me so I could answer their question. The look on people's faces was often priceless as they would then stutter and apologize.

The presence of "booth babes" makes it challenging for those of us in the tech industry to be take seriously when at events. It is hard enough being a female in technology let's not make it harder.

Oh I completely understand that and I agree with the decision re tech conference.

[Deleted]

This is great! Sad that companies weren't progressive enough to self-enforce but the conference saying "we can do better" is a good thing.

[Deleted]

I have found that this has already happened in the pharm industry and it is a good thing.

[AAM2012]

Mar 26, 2015 18:57:29 GMT -5 @blissoff said:

I shouldn't find this funny but I do.

I've been a promo girl / model and thought it was fun. Quick and easy cash. Lol.

I do think there's a time and a place. At a tech conference not necessary.... At adult industry conference definitely.

I'm curious...why do you find this funny?

[boiler717]

This does seem to be decreasing in pharma. Our booth babes wore more like tight dress pants / skirts with button down shirts with several buttons undone. We are now using just sales reps instead of a combo of booth babes and reps.