CES 'Booth Babes': Women In Tech Oppose Using Models At Technology Trade Show

The annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, better known as CES, is the world's largest consumer technology trade show and an important networking event for those in the field. But some women at the four-day event are concerned that the use of so-called "booth babes" -- models hired to promote products to CES attendees -- is sending the wrong message about women's relationship with technology and role in the tech industry.

The BBC interviewed CES attendees of both sexes about the models' role at the conference, including a few of the models. Watch above, and don't miss Consumer Electronics Association CEO Gary Shapiro's on-camera defense of this sales tactic.

Comments

[DonGarrett RNR]

11:32 AM on 01/17/2012

Back to the Future: Women & Technology
Thanks to the women brave enough to challenge the perception of the value they bring to the table.
http://tinyurl.com/7bdc3nf

[grapost]

11:20 AM on 01/16/2012

Aw they're just upset because the models get to wear outfits that aren't allowed in the workplace. It's all just fashion envy!

[jkarov]

08:33 AM on 01/15/2012

At CES there are hundreds of booths vying for your attention, and PR folks are using anything to appeal to the overwhelming prevalence of the men who comprise a vast majority in IT.

I don't know if there's a trade show where women are so dominantly represented, but I'm betting they have booth Boys.

[abhorson]

04:07 PM on 01/15/2012

gay shows...

[arose4yu]

04:02 AM on 01/14/2012

It's vegas. Get over it. I was there. There were very few of those "booth babes".

[abhorson]

04:07 PM on 01/15/2012

never enough of them

[HapticZ]

08:13 PM on 01/13/2012

does no one think this is an integral part of attracting interested people toward any product today? what has become of any industry that 'evades' any sexual discrimination when bringing in new sales and exposure of ANY product today? perhaps the bringing the very issue of 'babes' by the media itself is the issue, rather than 'use' of sex to determine success of its own product (selling media or internet clicks!)

CES always has been a freak show, with titillating products that flaunt their assets and attempt to separate you from your money. pretty much the same as prostituting themselves, and exchanging goods/services (whatever they be).

not much has changed from caveman days.

[mcmingus]

01:30 PM on 01/13/2012

The BBC should go to an Automobile trade show...

[monicatg]

10:48 AM on 01/13/2012

I've worked as a booth babe at many conventions. Car shows, electronic shows, heating and air conditioning shows, industrial parts shows, etc. My sister works for Intel. We both know that electronics is still mostly a Geekdom demographically peopled by men. It's just marketing. I have also done shows that are primarily geared towards women and there are more than a few ''Chippendale'' type guys there just to get the women to stop at their booth.

[spkninglsh]

01:53 AM on 01/15/2012

Must be the reason I suddenly want to buy air conditioning when it's 37 degrees outside.

[monicatg]

10:39 AM on 01/15/2012

Especially if the booth babe is wearing a very tight top that reveals just how ''nippy'' the AC makes the room :)

[abhorson]

04:10 PM on 01/15/2012

years ago, the agencies would charge me about 150$/day per girl ... they also had cheaper and more expensive girls depending on the agency and how early we booked...

I let a couple of directors choose the girls ... it was cheaper than giving them a bonus ...

[kenwith]

08:54 PM on 01/12/2012

So how do we contact Gary Shapiro to tell him OUR opinion?

[MikeDu]

07:03 PM on 01/12/2012

The irony of course if that corporate office worker women tend, on average, to be ten times more attractive than youraverave scrawny 'trade show' model.

[abhorson]

04:13 PM on 01/15/2012

hey, they're not all scrawny ....

[BaracksEvilTwin]

06:40 PM on 01/12/2012

Oh come on girls. Flaunt it while you got it, assuming you ever had it. Unless you can afford "medical miracles" like Arianna your assets will be hanging to your knees soon enough.

[adame2012]

04:04 PM on 01/12/2012

"We've worked many different types of shows, a lot of them are technology typed conventions.

There's women that are into it, i just, i don't know any really, that choose you know the tech world, so to say over shopping, or cooking, or something like that, or taking care of kids "
- classy booth babe, Escort Inc. #ces