Exhibitions under fire for sexist promotions

First it was an exhibitor at the CeBIT event who was criticised for using women in nurses uniforms on their stand, and more recently it was Microsoft at its TechEd conference on the Gold Coast that was lambasted for using Meter Maids in a promotion.

 

At the CeBIT exhibition exhibitor NetRegistry was criticised for having women in nurses uniforms prompting show organiser, Hannover Fairs to monitor the attire of those working on exhibition stands in the future.

 

The Microsoft TechEd conference caused more of a stir with Microsoft Australia's managing director, Tracy Fellows, saying via Twitter that she believed the use of Meter Maids was "not acceptable PERIOD!"

 

In a statement Microsoft said it would like to "sincerely apologise for any offense caused by the promotional staff."

 

Microsoft went onto say that it was unaware of what costume the meter maids would be wearing until the day of the event at which time it was too late to be addressed.

 

What are your thoughts on these kinds of promotions? Do they still have a place in the world of events? Click on this link to take you right to the forum - http://www.micespace.net.au/topic140-exhibitions-under-fire-for-sexist-promotions.aspx