Comments on the booth babes post

So my post on booth babes having no place at security trade shows has been one of my most popular posts ever. Probably due to Brad Feld mentioning it. I think the overwhelming number of people who wrote or that I have spoken to agree with me that they don't have a place at these shows.  Ross Brown had a great comment (if Mitchell hadn't lost the podcast recorder you could have heard it) that it clearly shows a failure of the VP of marketing in understanding and communicating a successful message.  Take heed marketing veeps!  Of course that Neanderthal Rothman, falls on the other side of this one.  Maybe we should get him some Playboy magazines to keep in the bathroom or something.  Seriously, Mike misses the point about exploitation.  First of all, it is not only the booth babes themselves, but what about the professional women who work at these companies, what message does it send to them.  Also Mike as far as the girls themselves earning a little money and being happy, this is the same argument that has been used since time began about prostitution, porno stars and strip club dancers.  Fact is Mike the skin trade is built on the backs of young girls being exploited, taken advantage of and then tossed away like yesterdays news. 

As to the people who wrote about why Mitchell and I had such big smiles in the pictures if we were so disgusted with the booth babes, there is a simple answer.  Remember, Mitchell and I are seasoned, experienced blogging journalists.  For this assignment we had to go deep undercover to get the facts.  Don't be fooled, those smiles were only skin deep.  Mitchell and I were just playing the part.  I would not recommend you trying this at home, as this undercover work requires professional expertise ;-)