Security trade show RSA Conference has finally decided to ban so-called booth babes from its upcoming US event.
The long-running show has issued the following guidelines (via Network World):
“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. Attire of an overly revealing or suggestive nature is not permitted.”
Those wondering what “overly revealing or suggestive” entails need look no further.
It includes tops which display “excessive cleavage,” any miniskirts, shorts, lycra bodysuits, tank tops or similar, and any “objectionable or offensive costumes.”
Basically, anyone who’s ever journeyed to a provincial town in the UK on a Friday night will know what RSA’s talking about.
The EMC-owned security firm apparently warned that its rules would be “strictly enforced” and apply to all booth staff “regardless of gender.”
“We reserve the right to request that individual booth staff change their attire or leave the premises immediately if we feel their appearance might be offensive to other exhibitors or attendees,” it added.
The move comes two years after Reed Exhibitions announced changes to the T&Cs of Europe’s largest dedicated cybersecurity trade show, Infosecurity Europe, effectively banning booth babes.
At the time it was felt that the appearance of scantily clad women was an insult to the intelligence of the delegates, and not appropriate for a 21st century trade show.
The majority of complaints prior to Reed’s decision came from men, who declared it demeaning and old-fashioned.
Infosecurity Europe kicks off on 2 June at London’s Olympia conference center with over 340 exhibitors and 13,000+ visitors slated to attend.
Now in its 20th year, the show will also play host to some highly anticipated keynotes featuring GCHQ cyber security director general, Ciaran Martin, BBC information security boss David Jones, and Andy Archibald, deputy director of the cybercrime unit at the National Crime Agency.