Welcome 2010 Professionals!

Professional Pre-Registration Closes May 8, 2010
There will be no onsite registration.

First-Time Professional Applicants

If you are a First-time professional applicant, you may apply online. Please call the Pro Hotline at 619-460-1133 for recorded instructions to access the Professionals-Only Portal. Or, send an email to proreg@comic-con.org to request the instructions to access the Professionals-Only Portal to complete an online application. From the Professionals-Only Portal, you will be able to log in to the online registration system and submit a First Time Attending Professional application. Please DO NOT EMAIL or fax your resume, verification materials, samples, or links. You must submit an online application first. You will receive instructions to mail verification materials after you have submitted an online application. You will receive a code to register online after your verification materials are received in the office and your application has been processed. Please be sure to download the 2010 Information For Attending Professionals document from the Professionals-Only Portal.

Returning Pros

Returning professionals were sent a professional registration letter and an email with instructions to register in March 2010.

If you did not receive the professional registration letter or email and need the login information, please call the Pro Hotline at 619-460-1133 for recorded instructions to access the Professionals-Only Portal. From the Professionals-Only Portal, you can log in to the online registration system and submit a request to send your validation code to your email address on file. Please be sure to download the 2010 Information For Attending Professionals document from the Professionals-Only Portal.

Important Information for All Attending Professionals

Please keep in mind that professional registration is non-transferable. You may not transfer, sell or reuse your membership or your guest registrations. Each creative professional must apply and register separately. Any guest badges purchased through a professional registration may be refunded by June 21, 2009, but they may not be transferred to another name before or after this date.

Pre-Registered creative professionals are admitted to Comic-Con with a complimentary professional pass. This pass is good for entry to all of the events held at Comic-Con (space permitting). The pass, however, does not allow for early entry into the Exhibit Hall or programming seminars and does not necessarily guarantee seating.

Each creative professional applying to Comic-Con for complimentary badge is required to submit verification documents every three years. Verification questions and documents may be submitted during the open registration period only. Details will be included in the professional registration packet.

All verification materials must be submitted by mail with a tracking number from your online application. We are unable to accept faxed or emailed verification. Details are included in the professional registration packet.

Unfortunately, professional status does not extend to support staff including sales, marketing, accounting, managers, testers, analysts, administrative staff, IT, facilities, operations, etc. who are not directly involved in the creative process.

About complimentary registration for creative professionals with Comic-Con

We at Comic-Con are grateful to the many comic book, and related popular arts individuals who give of their time and expertise by participating on panels, programs and workshops. While it may not be possible for every creative professional to take part in programming, we appreciate the contribution to art and culture these individuals make. For this reason Comic-Con has always had a policy of granting complimentary badges to creative professionals in a variety of popular arts fields.

As Comic-Con has grown, we have experienced an increase in requests for professional badges. In fact, we now get over 10,000 requests a year! To qualify for a professional membership at Comic-Con, a person must work as a creator (writer, artist, etc.) or be an executive (publisher, editor, producer) in comic books, comic strips, animation, or other related popular arts. Professional status does not extend to support staff (sales, marketing, accounting, managers and administrative staff, IT, facilities, operations, etc.) who are not directly involved in the creative process.

If you work as a professional in a capacity that supports the artists and executives, or one of the many other professionals who do not directly create artwork, we recognize your contribution to your industry, and we applaud the work that you do to support the creative process, however that work does not qualify you for a Comic-Con professional badge.

Who qualifies for creative professional status at Comic-Con?

Comic-Con offers complimentary professional memberships to creative professionals and executives in the comic book, book publishing, animation, films, television, gaming, and related industries. (By related, we mean producing material based on comic book, graphic novel, comic strip, animation, or fantasy/sci fi properties). A creative professional is someone who takes an active role in the creation, design, writing, editing, or production of comics, animation, films, books, videogames, or toys. Job titles might include writer, artist, penciller, inker, colorist, letterer, animator, designer, sculptor, editor, publisher, producer, actor, etc.. Retired career professionals from comics and related popular arts fields also qualify. Professional status is also extended to those responsible for the content of websites that promote the historic or ongoing contribution of comics to art or society. Determination of creative professional status is ultimately at the discretion of Comic-Con.