Yeah everyone makes a fuss of how hard it is to get into E3, its not, you just can't be a complete muppet about it, half an hour with photoshop can get you the needed stuff to get in.
johns "bimbo" is his gf stevie
and shes one of the coolest people i know, they'll be there at E3 this year too, hopefully showing off one of my games as well, if i ever get off tfp and start working.
its also free for non industry types, theres just different levels of floor pases, the basic exhibition only pass (package 5) is and has always been free, you just have to register earlier to get it. Though this is the package you have to "prove" you are in the games industry.