I got to go to E3 once, I think the year was 2009 (or maybe 2010?) it was when Project Nathan was announced. There were still booth babes and Ubi was giving away thongs to promote rabid rabbits I think. I found it very uncomfortable, to be honest. I don't feel intimidated by girls and I used to go to strip clubs back then but still... They were pretty to look at but some of them were obviously uncomfortable.
I only got a picture with one that was dressed as Bayonetta with an amazing cosplay. Having girls in booty shorts just... I don't see the point. Even now, with so much sexual content available, I don't see why that would enhance the event at all.
I don't care about politics and I don't think it's exploitation. Much less in the US were those girls were billing by the hour and some of them were flew from Japan or other countries. It's just that I don't see the point.