[jsmeaton]

This behaviour needs to change, it really does. But (ugh, here we go..) this particular instance is probably learned behaviour from past conferences or situations some people have been in. I haven't been to many conferences, but there's been a few times where I've spoken to a woman at a booth just to be passed off to someone else when I've asked technical questions. I'm finding this happens less and less though. Really though, it doesn't hurt to ask the question you want to ask first, even if you do end up having to ask it again of someone else.