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I saw this article (from Bicycle Retailer) today and was astonished: http://bikeshopgirl.com/2011/10/boot...are-a-turnoff/
I suppose that's also partly because I have this notion that Interbike/Eurobike etc. is a heaven for techies, with really clued up exhibitors. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised as it confirms my experience that cycling is still a very male-dominated and centred activity. $100 a day doesn't sound particularly well paid to me though.
As the article implied, these women are "bait" to get customers to the booth, then hopefully a knowledgeable person can "take over" and talk shop. I agree that it would be nice to have cute women/men to discuss bikes (or whatever). I have no problem with lovely women doing a job. As one said, "It's my job". I see nothing wrong with using your "assets" to earn a living in this setting. Marketers know it obviously works or they wouldn't use it. And heck yeah, I'd love to see some hot men luring me to a booth to see me brake hudz or whatever. Most men I talk to at bike events are the scruffy, plaid shirt, cargo short wearing guy who look at me like, "why is this old broad talking to me about bikes?"
Nothing wrong with using whatever marketing skills are out there if it brings customers to your booth. I think most guys already know what they want when coming to shows and having the added "asset" helps. However; it probably turns most women away with scruffy looking guys and models. Men are visual but women are feeling oriented and want that connected feeling when talking to someone at a booth.
The cycling industry needs positive, smart and caring women in the industry to attract women cyclists. Why only have 1/2 of the market when you could have all of it at a show or at your shop?
The one thing that helped me over the summer was being at a LBS and a woman was talking with the owner. I admired her bike and we got talking. She said when she first started she fell over all the time and it was hard to get used to the bike and had huge bruises. It was an instant connection since I've had the same problem this summer and knowing someone else had gone through the same thing gave me a huge boost of confidence. That sold me on cycling more than any shop owner could ever do.
It will be interesting over the next 5 years what Interbike will be like.
The bike retailers in Vancouver (but not yet in a big way, in Calgary) have really broadened and diversified their line of bikes to include lifestyle, chic-"fashion" bikes, as well as way more choice of folding bikes, etc. A big difference compared to even 5 yrs. ago.