Solar Media, the publisher of Solar Power Portal, has announced it is to prohibit the use of ‘promo girls’ at its flagship exhibition Solar and Storage Live.

The company has decided to adopt the measure as part of a wider gender diversity and equality push within its growing event portfolio.

From this year onward, exhibitors will be prohibited from hiring or hosting women in inappropriate or objectionable clothing at their stands. It follows similar moves taken by trade shows in the country and comes amidst growing calls for increased gender equality within the wider power sector.

Exhibitors will find guidance in the show manual, and Solar Media is encouraging companies to enquire if they are unsure about the new restrictions.

Dominic Barklem, director at Solar Media, said: “As part of our wider efforts to promote gender equality in our industry, we’re keen to move away from outdated professional stereotypes by restricting the inappropriate or objectionable use of hosting staff at our exhibition, Solar and Storage Live. We think this represents a small but impactful step in shifting the balance for professional equality in the solar and renewable industries.

“Further, we’re actively seeking greater female representation across our live content, and are happy to see a fantastic panel of esteemed men and women sitting on the judging panel of the Solar Power Portal Awards. Our outstanding team at Solar Media are also curating a number of women-focussed sessions at our events across the globe, demonstrating a vital and exciting shift in balanced representation in renewables.”

Solar and Storage Live returns to Birmingham’s NEC once again this October for its ninth consecutive year. The exhibition will run from 16 – 18 October and will also feature the Solar Power Portal Awards, held on the evening of Wednesday 17 October.

Exhibitors already booked for Solar and Storage Live 2018 include industry heavyweights like JA Solar, Solaredge and NEC Energy Solutions. To join them on the show floor this year, contact either Tom Moon or Marcela Ahmeti.

Meanwhile, visitor registration is open. To register for your free visitor pass, click here.