diff --git a/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(badges)/badges/+page.svelte b/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(badges)/badges/+page.svelte
index e1ff731c..cfb7cbcc 100644
--- a/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(badges)/badges/+page.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(badges)/badges/+page.svelte
@@ -218,7 +218,10 @@ async function handle_search_refresh(params: any) {
     const min_chars = params.min_chars;
 
     // Defense-in-depth: enforce min_chars even if the search component lets one through.
-    if (qry_str.length < min_chars) {
+    // Exception: if the user has set a non-default filter (printed status, type, affiliations),
+    // that is an explicit intent — run the search even without a text query.
+    const has_active_filters = printed_status !== 'all' || !!type_code || !!aff_str;
+    if (qry_str.length < min_chars && !has_active_filters) {
         untrack(() => {
             event_badge_id_li = [];
             $events_sess.badges.search_status = 'done';
diff --git a/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(badges)/badges/ae_comp__badge_search.svelte b/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(badges)/badges/ae_comp__badge_search.svelte
index d9df77f3..2359d9c5 100644
--- a/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(badges)/badges/ae_comp__badge_search.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(badges)/badges/ae_comp__badge_search.svelte
@@ -32,21 +32,17 @@ import { ae_util } from '$lib/ae_utils/ae_utils';
 //     })
 // );
 
-// ISHLT 2024 badge type codes
+// Axonius 2026 badge type codes
+// TODO: drive this from the event's badge templates so it's event-agnostic
 let badge_type_code_li = [
-    { code: 'current_member', name: 'Member' },
-    { code: 'inactive_member', name: 'Non-Member' },
-    { code: 'current_member_trainee', name: 'Trainee Member' },
-    { code: 'inactive_member_trainee', name: 'Trainee Non-Member' },
-    { code: 'ex_all', name: 'Exhibitor All Access' },
-    { code: 'ex_booth', name: 'Exhibitor Booth Staff' },
-    { code: 'hftx', name: 'HFTX Master Academy' },
-    { code: 'mcs', name: 'MCS Master Academy' },
-    { code: 'pediatric', name: 'Pediatric' },
-    { code: 'guest', name: 'Guest' },
+    { code: 'attendee', name: 'In-Person Attendee' },
+    { code: 'sponsor', name: 'Adapt26 Sponsor' },
+    { code: 'test', name: 'Test' },
     { code: 'staff', name: 'Staff' },
+    { code: 'guest', name: 'Guest' },
     { code: 'volunteer', name: 'Volunteer' },
-    { code: 'test', name: 'Test' }
+    { code: 'member', name: 'Member' },
+    { code: 'nonmember', name: 'Non-Member' },
 ];
 
 // Resolve the minimum characters required for the current user's access tier.