An exhibitor, a creative professional, and a retailer walk into a comic convention – no, really, we’re serious.
Not all badges are created equal – but just what are the differences between a General Attendee badge and a Press badge? Or a Retailer and Exhibitor? Or Trade and Creative Professional? We’ve asked one person with each type of badge to explain it to us – though keep in mind that even among the various badge types, experiences can differ. Larger companies and people tend to receive more access, and each case is unique.
With that said, let’s break down the badge types:
Professional Badge
What type of badge do you have? Professional
Official CCI description of badge type: The Professional badge is for those who take an active role in the creation of comic books, graphic novels, digital/webcomics, comic strips, and animation, as well as genre-related illustrators and science fiction/fantasy authors and book editors. This includes roles such as: writer, artist, penciller, inker, colorist, letterer, and animator. All other professionals and executives who are employed in entertainment and popular arts and culture fields (film, television, toy & apparel design, and other related industries) are also welcome to apply, but these will be considered on an individual basis.
What sort of qualifications do you need in order to obtain that type of badge? The applicant has to list three recent professional projects in the industry. You have to attach verification materials proving your participation for each project, whether it’s credited or uncredited work. copies of the credits page, a sample of the worrk, a screen capture, a business card and an employee badge, and more. You have to resubmit to qualify every three years.
How do you receive your badge (apply, badge sale, etc.?) Once verified (if your status is “Not Due” for that year), Professionals receive an email with Professional Registration is open. Unlike with the General Attendee Badges, this is a relatively stress-free badge registration event — you’ll have months to register. In addition to themselves, some professionals can also register up to two guests.
Do you have to pay for your badge? It’s on a case-by-case basis whether the Professional badge or the two guest badges are free or paid.
Do you receive guest/additional badges? If so, do you pay for those? Guest badges are available on a case-by-case basis for Professionals, with up to two guest badges being available. You can view your specific allotment in your Member ID.
Once at the convention, do you have any special “perks” that come with your badge type? During Preview Night, there’s a separate line for professionals heading to the exhibit floor, on the other side of the Sails Pavilion, near the bay, but still inside the building near the Outdoor Amphitheatre. However, while separate, this line doesn’t get let in early. The doors open for professionals at the same time as they do for regular attendees, but the entrance is in a different spot. This line only exists on Preview Night. The rest of the time, the lines with everyone else for general admission and Hall H. In addition, although CCI claims that Professional badge registration is not “guaranteed”, it has not sold out in recent years, if it ever has.
Do you get onto the show floor before doors open? No.
Do you work at the show? No.
Exhibitor
What type of badge do you have? Exhibitor/vendor badges
Official CCI description of badge type: N/A
What sort of qualifications do you need in order to obtain that type of badge? You have to purchase a table or booth through Comic-Con International. There’s a waiting list just to get in.
How do you receive your badge (apply, badge sale, etc.?) You sign up for a Member ID like everyone else, and then when your purchase of a table or booth goes through, you will receive the badges included in that price. Most vendors can also purchase additional badges on top of that allotment, but the specific amount of extra badges you can purchase varies by vendor.
Do you have to pay for your badge? The initial badges are built in the space you buy. Certain tables get two badges, certain booths get four, or more.
Do you receive guest/additional badges? If so, do you pay for those? Yes. You are able to purchase an additional badges, but the allotment varies by vendor.
Once at the convention, do you have any special “perks” that come with your badge type? You get to be on the show floor early, but that’s because you’re literally getting your booth set up before doors open. There is also a separate hotel and parking sale for vendors.
Do you get onto the show floor before doors open? Yes, usually about an hour or two so you get your booth restocked and ready.
Do you work at the show? Yes.
General Attendee
What type of badge do you have? General attendee, which is the most common kind.
Official CCI description of badge type: N/A
What sort of qualifications do you need in order to obtain that type of badge? You don’t need any sort of qualification – that’s basically why you’re a general attendee. The only qualification you have to have is that you have to be chosen by random in the badge sale.
How do you receive your badge (apply, badge sale, etc.?) There’s two different badge sales – Returning Registration for those who attended the previous year as a general attendee, or Open Registration, where anyone with a Member ID can get a badge. The badge sales are definitely hard, though – you’re chosen at random to check-out, and it’s very competitive.
Do you have to pay for your badge? Yes. Full price.
Do you receive guest/additional badges? If so, do you pay for those? When you check out, you can purchase badges for up to two additional individual people. Each person must be eligible on their own, and each badge is full price.
Once at the convention, do you have any special “perks” that come with your badge type? No. Your perk is that you get to attend the con at all!
Do you get onto the show floor before doors open? Ha, no.
Do you work at the show? Nope.
Panelist
What type of badge do you have? In the past eight cons I’ve been a panelist we have been issued Professional Badges with a twist. In the past, you’d get a second card to slide in indicating you’re on a panel so security will let you in – which is important if your panel is full! Since the new scannable badges have been introduced the twist hadn’t been fully nailed down but there is usually some kind of indication printed on the name part in the corner of the back detailing the panel you’re on.
Official CCI description of badge type: N/A
What sort of qualifications do you need in order to obtain that type of badge? You have to be on a panel inside the convention center (or in the surrounding areas that are still part of the actual convention, such as the Indigo or the library).
How do you receive your badge (apply, badge sale, etc.?) You have to apply for a panel, detailing what you plan to present, potential panelists, etc. This is its own separate process, and we don’t hear back until usually May if our panel is approved.
Do you have to pay for your badge? No. We’re treated like a Professional, essentially – so yes, our badges are complimentary.
Do you receive guest/additional badges? If so, do you pay for those? Typically, each panelist can bring up to one guest — and they’re free.
Once at the convention, do you have any special “perks” that come with your badge type? The only perk is you can get into your own panel, even if it’s full! And if you think that’s funny (which it is) let me tell you about how many times I’ve had to explain to people at the door that if I can’t get in the room that there will in fact NOT be a panel to not get into.
Do you get onto the show floor before doors open? Nope.
Do you work at the show? We have a lot of fun, but the show is absolutely still work. We’re constantly doing panels, prepping for our panels, talking with other people in the industry, making contacts. It’s a lot of work.
Press
What type of badge do you have? Press badge.
Official CCI description of badge type: N/A
What sort of qualifications do you need in order to obtain that type of badge? Similar to Professionals, every other year we have to apply and/or “re-verify” our credentials. However, in the case of Press, it is the Outlet itself who applies. One person is designated as the Outlet Key Contact, and they are responsible for applying for the outfit and proving you do work in a relevant field. They have a pretty wide range of criteria, so your outlet can be hard news, podcast, video, blog, etc.
How do you receive your badge (apply, badge sale, etc.?) Once approved, your outlet will be assigned an allotment of badges. Then at a certain date (usually in the spring), Comic-Con International will open Press Registration. You then have a few months to register, which is basically “claiming” your badge.
Do you have to pay for your badge? No, we receive a complimentary badge.
Do you receive guest/additional badges? If so, do you pay for those? Your outlet will receive an allotment of badges, which varies by outlet. This is intended to be for other members of your outlet.
Once at the convention, do you have any special “perks” that come with your badge type? We have a press workroom, upstairs in the convention center (kind of above Hall H) with coffee and sometimes light snacks, and wi-fi. It’s mostly tables and chairs. Otherwise, we don’t get anything “special” (though compared to the convention center food cart prices, a free bagel can feel pretty special!). We don’t get guaranteed access to panels or assigned seats (unless a studio has given you a pass). We don’t get onto the show floor early. Even press rooms, you have to apply with the individual organizations for their press room, you aren’t guaranteed entry into them — and you technically don’t need a press badge to attend those either so long as you have approval from the studio/entity. There are a few folks, like Entertainment Weekly, who get much better access/privileges at SDCC — but those cases are few and far between.
Do you get onto the show floor before doors open? Nope!
Do you work at the show? Yes. I’m still there to cover the show, get interviews, cover on social media. It’s very much still a job.
Retailer
What type of badge do you have? Retailer
Official CCI description of badge type: N/A
What sort of qualifications do you need in order to obtain that type of badge? The “Retailer” badge I have is given to comic book retailers who have an account with Diamond Comic Distribution.
How do you receive your badge (apply, badge sale, etc.?) I receive a badge code from Diamond, which is then processed through the SDCC site.
Do you have to pay for your badge? Yes, as of 2022, we paid for our badge.
Do you receive guest/additional badges? If so, do you pay for those? We do have the option of purchasing one additional badge, but it can only be for someone who is already listed on our Diamond account as an authorized buyer. Each comic book store is limited to two badges total, no matter how many employees they have.
Once at the convention, do you have any special “perks” that come with your badge type? No special perks, no.
Do you get onto the show floor before doors open? No, the retailer badge holders have to use the general attendee lines and entrance times.
Do you work at the show? SDCC is the perfect opportunity to connect with publishers but even so, I’d say no more than a third of my time is spent on work related activities. I have plenty of time for fun!
Staff
What type of badge do you have? I have a staff badge that allows me access for all four days, as well as Preview Night.
Official CCI description of badge type: N/A
What sort of qualifications do you need in order to obtain that type of badge? You have to become a staff member of a department at SDCC in order to get a staff badge. It usually requires getting really high scores when you’re a daily volunteer. Then CCI will invite a certain percentage back to a mixer/breakfast/lunch. Here, different departments will introduce themselves, and you can then interview with whatever departments you find interesting. After that, you’ll find out if you got picked to become a staff member. It then requires you to accept the position as well.
How do you receive your badge (apply, badge sale, etc.?) We have paperwork that we need to fill out, sign and return to CCI. Then prior to the actual convention, we will receive our barcodes to retrieve our badges at the con.
Do you have to pay for your badge? No, our badges are “free” in exchange for us working the convention.
Do you receive guest/additional badges? If so, do you pay for those? We receive two additional guest badges for every day, excluding Preview Night. These guest badges are not free. They require you to pay for them, at the same cost as everyone else.
Once at the convention, do you have any special “perks” that come with your badge type? We get to attend Preview Night, as well as having access to convention center before and after hours. That doesn’t include the show floor though.
Do you get onto the show floor before doors open? No, we do not.
Do you work at the show? I do work. As a staff member, we work much harder, and for many more hours than a standard daily volunteer. Our hours are usually 8AM to closing. I’d say I work about 90% of the con. The rest of the 10% is checking out the convention floor.
Volunteer
What type of badge do you have? Volunteer
Official CCI description of badge type: It’s pretty sparse. It tells you how to get a Volunteer badge, but not much else beyond that.
What sort of qualifications do you need in order to obtain that type of badge? All you need is a valid CCI Member ID. If you’ve successfully completed at least one volunteer shift at SDCC, you’re placed on the Priority List, which means you get first dibs at volunteering the next year. Otherwise, you’ll sign up for the Interest List.
How do you receive your badge (apply, badge sale, etc.?) CCI opens a registration window for those who wish to be placed on the Interest List. If you’re on the Priority List, you don’t need to worry about signing up. CCI closes the Interest List registration window and opens volunteering to those on the Priority List. Since not everyone volunteers again every year, those on the Priority List who do sign up are guaranteed a Volunteer badge. The remaining Volunteer badges are then opened up to those on the Interest List. If you’re selected as a volunteer, you’ll receive an email from CCI with all the rules, regulations, and forms to sign. Pay close attention to these forms, as they tell you where to go to pick up your badge and when you’re able to do so.
Do you have to pay for your badge? No, but your badge is only good for the day you volunteer. For example, if you volunteer on Thursday but try to get in on Friday without volunteering, you’ll find you’re out of luck. However, a typical volunteer shift is four hours long, which means you can take the rest of that day to explore the con. Also, the earlier you check in and receive your assignment, the more options you’ll have to choose from.
Do you receive guest/additional badges? If so, do you pay for those? No. Like an attendee badge, you only get one, and it’s non-transferable.
Once at the convention, do you have any special “perks” that come with your badge type? It depends on what job you’re chosen for. You’ll most likely wind up as line management or at one of the RFID scanners, so unless you love telling people which way to go, not really. Oh! You do get a free t-shirt.
Do you get onto the show floor before doors open? No, we do not.
Do you work at the show? As a volunteer, you’re expected to put in a four-hour shift minimum. You’re observed and graded based on your performance, so you can’t just show up, collect your badge, slack off, and enjoy the con. CCI does not have to invite volunteers back and often don’t. Also, those who do exceptionally well are invited to join SDCC Staff, as described above. It’s worth it to put in those four hours well.
