Just to chip in on the main topic of wristband v photo I'd. I didn't have the greatest experiance when collecting mine.
I had provided photos as requested so was also disappointed not to get some nice ID to flash around. I was directed to the organiser booth to collect by a very grumpy and not particularly polite member of the team out front. The ladies manning the booth were friendly but seemed at their wits end, they couldnt find me on the list at first and when I pointed my name out I wasnt asked for any ID but thrust my pack of photos (would have been nice to get a little cardboard in their to protect them, rather than a very substandard envelope, plus I didn't have a clue who half of them where until you lovely people helped me) and then asked what talks I wanted to attend (I had thought the gold pass would allow me to attend any). After that I was on my way with not so much as an 'enjoy the event'. I hadn't even tied my wristband on.
Now I love these events and have been to many but as a first experiance holding a Gold pass I can't say that I was that impressed, just a few subtle touches would have made the experiance better.
having had a new baby girl a few weeks before my usual event time was cut short so whilst I didn't have time to get value for money, by attending more talks and getting more signatures the little touches mattered more.
The photo passes would have potentially saved time Initially and clearly helped on the issue of ID, a hard backed folder for the autographs and a list of contents would hav been nice along with info on the talks and just a little extra attention from the staff (maybe a reccomendation on what not to miss or pointing out which guests hav been particularly popular).
Maybe I was more than a little sleep deprived maybe I still am, but I think the gold pass experiance needs little refining.