Internet Retailer is taking place in Chicago today. I won't have a chance to visit the show, but I am 90% sure that some companies will do what they can to entice people to visit their booths - aka hiring Booth Babes.
You may think, 'How dare you use some sexist language?' Agreed, however, I share the term that is colloquially used across blogs and conference goers. Since my first Doubleclick conference to CES in Las Vegas to my most recent trek to ad:tech San Francisco, I come across endless variations of these ladies. Here is an older article I wrote regarding Booth Babes, coupled with another point of view on how Booth Babes diminish the brand/product of the company being represented.
I also managed to snap a few short videos of women in San Francisco whose outfits were so extreme, that I couldn't help but to capture it on film - no one believed me until I showed them the clips. Another interesting point? I didn't see these women on days 2 and 3 of the show. Were they removed? Was the company that hired them fined? I don't know. What I do know is I hope future conferences stop using women in this way to hand out sweepstakes cards, PR folders and/or trinkets to attendees.
I lose complete respect for the company/brand/service and have NO interest in learning more.
After all, digital media and technology isn't just dominated by male executives anymore, but than again, did anyone ever notice? Recent studies show that women are shopping online and using web tools just as much, if not more than men...so why continue to display such sexist displays at a conference?
To the ad:tech team planning the upcoming event in Chicago, you may want to take this into consideration and I hope to not see buttocks during my show room floor stroll.
Booth babes are part of the reason I wear my nerd uniform at conferences. ;)
Posted by: Kristen Nicole | June 10, 2008 at 01:25 PM
You should see a videogame industry conference, the outfits are much skimpier than that!
I agree that it's time for booth babes to go. Having attractive people hand out materials is an age old tradition. But having them dressed that way is ridiculous and inappropriate.
Posted by: Laura | June 10, 2008 at 08:56 PM
You should see a videogame industry conference, the outfits are much skimpier than that!
I agree that it's time for booth babes to go. Having attractive people hand out materials is an age old tradition. But having them dressed that way is ridiculous and inappropriate.
Posted by: Laura | June 10, 2008 at 08:56 PM
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