Change is Gonna Come
Earlier this week, I was elated to see an article I wrote published on cnet, about my colleague, Jennifer Gill, taking charge after being mistaken for a booth babe at a tech tradeshow. She created buttons that say, “I am not a booth babe. Ask me a question!” The response was overwhelmingly positive, with dozens of tweets and shares of the article and a groundswell of support for the idea. It was trending as the most popular cnet article for two days.
We’ve clearly struck a chord. A number of people visited the website we created — iamnotaboothbabe.com — ordered buttons and asked to help distribute the pins at RSA and other upcoming shows. The article came just days after RSA conference organizers chose to set a dress code for the event this year — specifically to companies who employ “booth babes.” According to the article:
All Expo staff are expected to dress in business and/or business casual attire. Exhibitors should ensure that the attire of all staff they deploy at their booth (whether the exhibitor’s direct employees or their contractors) be considered appropriate in a professional environment.
NYMag reported on the trend as well, asking, “Could this be the end of the booth babe trend?”
We hope so. Women in tech has been the topic of much conversation in recent weeks. We’re hoping that it becomes common knowledge at tradeshows that company employees — all of them — are there to answer questions because they know and understand their company’s products.
“But I know a change’s gonna come, oh yes it will.” We’re glad to be able to play a small part.
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