[cdtwigg]

Why assume that anyone who isn't deeply expert in the technical details of a product isn't a full-time employee of the company? Many companies hire sales/marketing people of both genders that may have a relatively superficial understanding of the inner details but are more enthusiastic and outgoing than the engineering staff.

[rurounijones]

With the idea I stated above there is nothing stopping sales / marketing people from going. While they may not be techies per se I expect them to be knowledgeable out their products.

My proposal is purely to get rid of the "Pretty face, no knowledge, hired solely for the event" style of "booth-babe".

Of course companies could hire people for the require X months but I am hoping the monetary aspects of that would discourage them.

Also, enforcing the proposal would be tricky I think.

[pekk]

If I go to a technical conference, I am not interested in talking to sales and marketing people of any gender or dimensions. That is something which the sales and marketing people want, not something I want.