What are badges for?

[Sadistic Rainbows]

I keep hearing about these. Are they important? My first convention is in August, so I'd like to know if I need one or not. [:  

[ninja-Lx]

Badges are what you have to have to get into most of the areas in conventions. So yeah you'll need one.  

[Extreme Cuddler]

They are ur everything at cons, they are what allows u access 2 con related things. Replacements cost money so don't loose it.  

[RyanJakobi]

You'll probably get them once you are registered at the con and pay all the money. You don't bring your own.

But you can get personalized ones along with your official one if you look around the artist alleys.  

[chobits_chii123]

At some cons, certain things to go to don't require badges, like main lobbies or where general things are being held.
But to get into the Artist's Alley, Dealer's room, game rooms, panels, etc., staff does a badge check, which is what you pay for it to get in to.  

[salsaplant]

Badges are like convention tickets and identification wrapped into one thing. This helps them to monitor the attendance of people at the convention as well as provide safety, security, and order to the con.

Prices of badges depend on the convention as well as how many days you plan on attending. Prices can range anywhere from free to upwards of $1oo-- The larger the convention, the more it usually costs, though this is not always the case. Price also varies with the number of days you go-- You can purchase a day pass that allows your attendance for one of the days the con is going on (you choose the day you want to attend, of course) or you can purchase a weekend pass to attend all the days; weekend passes cost more than day passes, but cost lses than buying a day pass for several days.
You can purchase a pass either by pre-registering or purchasing one on the day of the convention. Pre-registering can be done either online or by mailing your information and money into the convention (though some cons are doing away with mail-ins), so you should check the convention's site which will direct you as to how to pre-register as well as give you the prices of the badges. Though it's more expensive and takes more time, you can also wait to purchase the pass at the convention; you'll have to stand in a longer line than the pre-regged people do and have to fill out some paperwork as well.

The badges are your way of showing that you paid admission for the convention and will be allowed into many of the events, dealer's room, artist alley, etc. If you're old enough though, the 18+ events still require a photo ID upon arrival so you can show you're old enough and be let in. Other than that, your badge is enough ID for everything else.

DON'T LOSE IT THOUGH! You will not be given another one and you will not be refunded