diff --git a/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(badges)/badges/ae_comp__badge_create_form.svelte b/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(badges)/badges/ae_comp__badge_create_form.svelte
index 128c0bec..6929242f 100644
--- a/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(badges)/badges/ae_comp__badge_create_form.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(badges)/badges/ae_comp__badge_create_form.svelte
@@ -15,12 +15,17 @@ interface Props {
 
 // Fallback badge type list used only when no template is loaded yet or the selected
 // template has no badge_type_list defined.
+// Keep in sync with the list in ae_comp__badge_search.svelte so the create form
+// and the search filter always show the same options.
+// TODO: drive both from the event's badge template badge_type_list so this is event-agnostic.
 const default_badge_type_code_li = [
-    { code: 'current_member', name: 'Member' },
-    { code: 'inactive_member', name: 'Non-Member' },
-    { code: 'guest', name: 'Guest' },
-    { code: 'ex_all', name: 'Exhibitor' },
+    { code: 'attendee', name: 'In-Person Attendee' },
+    { code: 'sponsor', name: 'Adapt26 Sponsor' },
     { code: 'staff', name: 'Staff' },
+    { code: 'guest', name: 'Guest' },
+    { code: 'volunteer', name: 'Volunteer' },
+    { code: 'member', name: 'Member' },
+    { code: 'nonmember', name: 'Non-Member' },
     { code: 'test', name: 'Test' }
 ];
 
@@ -39,7 +44,7 @@ let affiliations: string = $state('');
 let location: string = $state('');
 let email: string = $state('');
 let allow_tracking: boolean = $state(false);
-let badge_type_code: string = $state('');
+let badge_type_code: string = $state('attendee');
 
 // Always pre-select the first template. Every badged event must have at least one template —
 // without one the badge cannot render. If there's only one we auto-select silently; if there
@@ -65,6 +70,19 @@ let badge_type_code_li = $derived.by(() => {
     }
 });
 
+// When the template list loads (async) the derived badge_type_code_li updates.
+// Re-apply the preferred default so the select always starts on a real option.
+// Preferred: 'attendee'. Fallback: first item in the list.
+// Guard: only reset if the current value isn't already in the new list — preserves
+// any explicit selection the user made before the template finished loading.
+$effect(() => {
+    const li = badge_type_code_li;
+    if (!li.length) return;
+    if (li.some((item) => item.code === badge_type_code)) return; // current value still valid
+    const preferred = li.find((item) => item.code === 'attendee');
+    badge_type_code = preferred?.code ?? li[0].code;
+});
+
 // Only show the name override field if the user explicitly wants to customize it.
 // The preview below the name fields shows what the badge will display — if that looks
 // good they don't need to touch this.
@@ -241,7 +259,6 @@ let step_label = $derived(
     <label class="label">
         <span class="label-text">Badge Type</span>
         <select bind:value={badge_type_code} class="select">
-            <option value="">-- Select Badge Type --</option>
             {#each badge_type_code_li as item (item.code)}
                 <option value={item.code}>{item.name}</option>
             {/each}