The sight of scantily clad “promo girls” on stands at the event sparked a wave of outrage on social media.

Now show organisers Media 10 have released a new guide for the 600+ construction exhibitors to promote greater equality, diversity and inclusion in their marketing.

The new guide has been created with the help of a steering committee including diversity champions from Balfour Beatty, Willmott Dixon and the RICS.

It covers the use of promotional staff on exhibition stands.

Controversy was sparked last year by Las Vegas style showgirls on a product manufacturer’s stand.

Nathan Garnett, director of UK Construction Week said: “We want the show to be lively, fun and engaging, and these measures should not be interpreted as restrictions upon that.

“Promoting a more diverse and inclusive image of construction is a joyful thing.

“But the fear of getting it wrong is holding the construction industry back from a frank conversation about diversity, equality and inclusion.

“We got it wrong last year, and faced criticism on social media. So we’re still learning too.

“No-one can deny that the construction sector has more work to do in this area than most. The business case is clear, the moral case undeniable, so now is the time.

“It is for this reason UK Construction Week has made a commitment to change and to promote the benefits of diversity for the advantage of the whole construction sector.”

The new code of conduct encourages exhibitors to “consider the mix of staff you have on the stand (gender, age, ethnicity etc).”

It adds: “Do they represent the diversity of your company, and if not, be prepared to explain why not”.

Standards also cover issues such as clothing worn by promotional staff and the activities on stands.