Haunted Attraction Network

We recap the major takeaways from the First Annual IAAPA North American Trade Summit, specifically, the central theme of Authentic Reality. The IAAPA Trade Summits have replaced the former Leadership Summits, and each region will host a local trade summit annually. The trade summits combine member connections and education on regional issues with a trade component. This year’s North American summit took 134 attendees on 5 facility tours in the San Diego area over 4 days, with 21 trade partners and 3 keynote speakers. This episode features on-location audio and interviews with Michael Shelton (VP and Executive Director, IAAPA North America), George Walker (CEO & Founder, The League of Extraordinary Dining), Jim Lake (President of SeaWorld San Diego), Spencer Meinburg (GM of Plunge San Diego), Andrew Terbush (Executive Chef, SeaWorld San Diego), and the San Diego Zoo. Special thanks to Rachel Wilkinson for assistance with the audio recording and Caitlin Dineen (Director, Global Communications, IAAPA) for coordinating permissions. Support for this episode comes from Gantom Lighting and Controls. See what you’re missing with a free demo. Subscribe to everything from the Haunted Attraction Network here.

Toxic FX, founded in 2017, creates Halloween masks, props, and novelties. Their rotting pumpkins have become iconic in the industry and this year, they received the vendor excellence award from the Haunted Attraction Association. We stopped by their booth during Transworld to hear about their new products. Support for this episode comes from Gantom Lighting and Controls. See what you’re missing with a free demo. Subscribe to everything from the Haunted Attraction Network here.

Craig Watt is a rare combination of a seasoned insurance agent and a professional haunter at Terror Isle in Texas City. Today, get insights on the spooky side of insurance policies as Craig unravels the mystery of haunt insurance for amateurs and pros alike. Dare to discover the hidden vulnerabilities in your coverage, and avoid getting tricked by what it doesn't protect you from. Today’s episode is a recording from Brian’s Haunt Masterclasses; you can join those at haunters toolbox. Support for this episode comes from Gantom Lighting and Controls. See what you’re missing with a free demo. Subscribe to everything from the Haunted Attraction Network here.

Escape IT opens in Las Vegas, Transworld announces a new show, and more. Read the full stories here: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/escape-it-opens-in-las-vegas

Political clashes are shaking up the theme park world: Biden against Resort Fees and Disney versus De Santis. Plus, trends are unfolding in the world of Six Flags expansions. Support for this episode comes from Gantom Lighting and Controls. See what you’re missing with a free demo. Subscribe to everything from the Haunted Attraction Network here.

Allen Hopps owns Stilt Beast Studios and is the Director of Dark Hour Haunted House. During this year’s Transworld, Allen brought several new costumes with an anti-reality theme, and he’s also been experimenting with gamification and off-season events at his haunt. Here’s Allen live at the show with more. Support for this episode comes from Gantom Lighting and Controls. See what you’re missing with a free demo. Subscribe to everything from the Haunted Attraction Network here.

Scott visits the Middle East Film and Comic Convention and draws parallels between horror culture and its impact across countries. The Middle East Film and Comic Con (commonly referred to as MEFCC) is a speculative fiction convention held annually in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in April. Support for this episode comes from Gantom Lighting and Controls. See what you’re missing with a free demo. Subscribe to everything from the Haunted Attraction Network here.

Read the stories here. Haunts nationwide celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a terrifying twist - including Dark Hour, Hudson Haunted House, Bennett's Curse, Frightmare, Panic Point, Brighton Asylum, Bayville Scream Park, and Field of Screams, and Fright Haven Haunted House; Scream Break comes to Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags Magic Mountain this weekend; Efteling shares progress on new Danse Macabre and Huyverwoud Haunted Forest area; Haunted Majestic to launch a new charitable giving program for the 2023 haunt season.

Universal announces a rebrand as their expansion in Texas is approved. Meanwhile, Disney is hitting a price ceiling due to a lack of demand for the Galactic Starcruiser. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Scott Swenson shares a design hack – incorporating easter eggs (AKA Hidden narrative moments) into your haunt for your best customers to discover. Support for this episode comes from Gantom Lighting and Controls. See what you’re missing with a free demo. Subscribe to everything from the Haunted Attraction Network here.