This Saturday’s San Diego Comic-Con Pre-Registration Badge Sale is the beginning of a whole new chapter for Comic-Con International as the organisation will be introducing new technologies and new methodology for its attendees in 2016 – in particular, the mailing out of badges to U.S. Attendees and the integration of RFID technology within those badges.

Understandably, there are questions about how, why and, not to be too blunt about it, how much this is going to cost CCI – and whether this has been covered by the $5 price increase per day on SDCC Badges. We’re going to be discussing some of these questions in a special Cup O’ Tea One-Shot this Thursday (Midday PST / 3pm ET / 8pm GMT) which we would be more than happy for you to join us.

In the meantime… When the Toucan Blog update dropped last night, AEISD decided to put some immediate thoughts to the Comic-Con International Press Office – we have been very lucky to have had David Glanzer, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for CCI respond and answer some of those questions…

AN ENGLISHMAN IN SAN DIEGO: The mailing of this many badges to attendees, nationwide, is quite the logistical – and financial – burden. Along with the introduction of RFID technology, are these two factors the primary reason for the small badge price increase? Did the arrangement settled with the city’s hotels play a part in the increase?

DAVID GLANZER: As our costs continue to rise we implement price increases from time to time. The hotel issue was one of trying to get reduced rates for our attendees and had no factor in this matter.

AEISD: It’s obvious that the vast majority of decisions regarding lining up at Comic-Con are made to reduce these congestions and mailing out of badges to attendees will certainly help matters. Was this another factor in introducing mailing out of badges?

DG: Yes, absolutely.

AEISD: Was mailing out internationally considered at all? What was the decision as to why you haven’t gone with this?

DG: Yes, but there were logistical issues. We want to explore how the process will work domestically before we can address expanding it.

AEISD: The introduction of RFID is another massive progression for Comic-Con International. Are EPIC administrating this or is it being managed by another company?

DG: No comment.

AEISD: Was RFID (and indeed mailing out of badges) something that you were considering for SDCC 2015 or has the decision to implement it been a deliberate one for 2016? Why adopt the changes now?

DG: We look at registration options each year. It is a continuing and long process and we wanted to move on it once we were comfortable with how best to have it implemented.

AEISD: One issue that RFID rose, especially at recent events that use it already, was that sizeable manpower is required to scan the badges on the way in, to make things go smoothly. Will you be increasing the number of volunteers to accommodate this process?

DG: We have explored the logistical issues of using RFID and feel confident we have a handle on it. That being said, we’re still finalizing how it will all work.

AEISD: Can you reveal when this scanning procedure will take place, especially on days such as Preview Night? Will it replace the barcode scanning section of initially entering the building? And on a day-to-day basis, will scanning occur on entering and leaving the Convention Center?

DG: We are still 8 months away from the show so there are any number of issues that still need to be considered and addressed. I’m sorry I don’t have that information for you at this time.

Are there any questions that YOU would like answering? Maybe something we can put to David and the team in a follow-up communique? Leave yours in the comments below…

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