The Lanyard Derivative

The first major comic book convention I attended occurred between two life changes. In 1992 I became a father and a little bit later in 1994, after an accident, Doctor's claimed I should be dead. In 1993 however Comic Fest was hosted by Philadelphia.

The three things I can remember most was the naïve thought I could sit on the cold concrete floor and sell a few comic books, the souvenir cup I bought which I still might have, and a requested day off of work for this four day extravaganza, on which the last day I was apparently scheduled. When I came in the next day, I no longer had a job.

After a bout with my unstable income, my early midlife destruction, and a little before my comic book purge I thrusted myself back into the comic book world. I bought a single day pass for Wizard World in 2007 and attended on a Sunday. I was given a goody bag, which in 2013 was called a "Swag" bag. I remember the sac from 2007 had a hefty weight to it but, what was in it is a different story, especially since I can't remember.

For single day ticket holders and four day pass attendees this year, the only decent giveaway was a Walking Dead Variant book that people were buying as you walked in the door. On Saturday they couldn't wait and exited the convention floor perusing the line to ask for the book waving a five dollar bill in trade. The other two items was an eight page Wizard World pamphlet with locations of artists and writers along with the panels and locations for those talks. The second booklet was more or less an advertisement for some eighties movie showings. Then there was some postcard size advertisement inside but, nothing else.

This past June, Wizard World once again secured admission by wrapping your wrist with a gaudy bracelet. If a four day pass was purchased, a plastic wrist band was given and for daily admission a paper band. In 2011 I was in a pool league and reported on Wizard World for Comicbooked.com. I had to mention this thoroughly to the convention volunteers that I couldn't play in my match with the encumbered material due to a rules regulation. After explaining thoroughly and emphatically they tossed me a handful of press badges, one for each day.

So why did Wizard World switch from badges to wristbands? What made them think it was a good idea? And if it is such a good idea, why haven't the other convention circuits followed suit?

After I inquired to someone other than a volunteer, it was explained that it cut down on people passing the badges off from day to day, or even the same day. Unfortunately most badge passing is between dealers and their better customers, but they got wrist bands too. I knew I wouldn't switch especially since I don't have the safety net of standing behind a booth and claiming I work there. I can understand a convention being conservative in its hope to increase attendance, but a wrist band is not one of them. its just a thought, but maybe have comic book companies there.

ECCC sold out everyday in 2013, or at least that's what I remember hearing over the PA system. I inquired to the powers that be, but was told they couldn't answer. I would brag if a convention I ran sold out so I wonder, was it better to hide the attendance rather than blurt it out. The comic book convention in Seattle also had lanyards with their badges for all regular attendees. We could wear or take them off when we wanted too. It wasn't some plastic wristband someone could mistake us being in the hospital. Not to mention with a badge around our neck, we might continue to display our affections for the hobby after the convention floor closes for the day and we might get more questions of what is the badge for rather than "what happened?"

NYCC so far had the best admittance passes, a hard plastic that could easily be accepted as a souvenir. I like to keep my badges and yes I even have my wristbands, but it doesn't have the same affect on my display shelf. Comic book conventions are not only suppose to have comic books, creators, publishing companies, but also have the ability to show off the main excuse you went for, comic books.

During Wizard World Philadelphia 2012 my Stan Lee VIP ticket had a solid plastic pass and lanyard, at a price. Of course it came with a wristband as well, but people could see I was at Wizard World to see "The Man". I like my souvenirs, I have many Philadelphia Phillies, Eagles, and Flyers ticket stubs. I have the same for movies, concerts, and special events. With today's society of e-tickets, why wouldn't I want a badge and lanyard to hold onto and not just to prove I was there, but to show that I am proud to be there.

Thanks for Reading

Tnerb

Ps. Wizard World also had lanyards but they were generic and you had to pay for them, not including VIP passes.

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