Seminars

Seminars

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THURSDAY, MARCH 7TH

C.H.A.O.S Fire & Safety Seminar BUY NOW
Speakers: Haunted Attraction Association
Thursday  9:30am- 1:30pm
Room: 121
$20/HAA Members
$75/Non HAA Members
The Certified Haunted Attraction Operator Safety (C.H.A.O.S.) Program is the Haunted Attraction Association (HAA)’s safety certification course that is recommended to anyone running a haunted attraction.  This 4 hour Fire & Safety seminar is mandatory for certification.  Safety, liability concerns, fire marshal issues, and proper methods of building a safe event are keys to this seminar.  The seminar also covers tragedies that have affected the rules and laws that now regulate haunted house/entertainment/dark attractions today.

Individuals must complete eight hours in order to receive full CHAOS certification, so four additional hours/credits/seminars are required. Once completed, you will receive a CHAOS Course Completion Certificate to show your fire marshal, insurance carrier, and local authorities to show your desire to run a safe haunted attraction. Each person must attend the 8 hours individually and hour credits cannot be shared or combined between staff from the same attraction/different individuals.

To be eligible for the HAA Top Haunts program,  at least one staff member must have current CHAOS certification.  Several insurance companies in our industry now offer discounts for owners/operators with up-to-date CHAOS certification. Effective March 2020, all CHAOS certificates are valid and current for three years. All previously issued CHAOS certificates will expire after March of 2023.  Your dedication and certification in the C.H.A.O.S. Program helps your event, and our industry, strive to be safe, proactive and responsible. C.H.A.O.S. (this seminar goes towards 4 hours of your C.H.A.O.S. Safety Certification)

How to Greatly Improve Your Marketing (Without Increasing Your Budget) BUY NOW
Speaker: Brad Weinstein, Newbridge
Thursday  11:15am- 12:15pm
Room: 123
$55/attendee ( pre-registration)
$65/attendee ( on-site registration)
Want to learn how to get more bang for your buck and dramatically improve your marketing for 2024? This fast-paced seminar is designed to help people of all experience levels (newbies to industry veterans) and will cover a spectrum of ways you can take your marketing to the next level (that don’t involve spending more money). With over a decade of experience that includes top attractions and brands (such as Disney World and Google) Brad Weinstein will share valuable insights and takeaways with you that will make the small cost of this seminar more than pay for itself! Topics covered in this seminar include:

  • Why your marketing is probably not as effective as it should be (and how to fix it).
  • Critical and costly mistakes you should avoid.
  • Strategic tweaks you can make to your ads and messaging to increase success (small tweaks can make a big difference).
  • Why your marketing might be the reason customers are leaving bad reviews (and how to fix it).
  • How to make your brand stronger, more effective, and better positioned for success.
  • Learn how to test if your ads work BEFORE you spend money running them.
  • And more!
  • Speaker Bio: Brad’s experience includes The Walt Disney Company, Elitch Gardens Theme Park, Google, professional haunted attractions, and world class advertising agencies in NYC.

Avoid The Quicksand! Get on the Fast Track to Haunt Success by Avoiding Dangerous Mistakes BUY NOW
Speaker: Scott Simmons, ScareHouse
Thursday  12:30pm- 1:30pm
Room:123
$55/attendee ( pre-registration)
$65/attendee ( on-site registration)
Mistakes were made, lessons were learned. Whether it’s having the right idea at the wrong time or taking a risk that failed to deliver expected rewards, all small business owners have taken a wrong step from time to time… but sometimes what looks like a so-called “mistake” is actually an opportunity to improve every element of your haunted attraction planning, promotion, and operation. Everyone loves to talk about their successes, but we often learn more from the so-called “mistakes” or steps taken too soon or too late. Veteran haunted attraction co-owner and Creative Director Scott Simmons reveals the setbacks that led to successes, while also warning you of the pitfalls that could cripple haunters of any scale. Plus, ten bonus mistakes to avoid if you’re just starting out in the haunted attraction industry!

Howling Wind and Crashing Thunder: The Tools and Techniques For Creating Amazing Haunt Audio BUY NOW
Speaker: Jake Farmer, Dark Hour Haunted House
Thursday  1:45pm – 2:45pm
Room: 121
$55/attendee ( pre-registration)
$65/attendee ( on-site registration)
The audio in your haunted attraction shouldn’t be left until the last minute.  Be thinking about audio during your design phase!  Don’t even know where to start?  Have no fear!  This back-to-basics class from industry veteran Jake Farmer will get you familiar with everything you need to know so you can implement audio into your haunted attraction. We’ll talk about simple design theory and also go over various options & solutions for those who are dipping their toes into the realm of haunt tech for the first time or are working with a limited budget.  Audio might seem intimidating but it doesn’t have to be complicated.

Engaging, Scaring and Entertaining Your Customers in the Queue Lines: The Character Method BUY NOW
Speaker: Jonathan Seth, Fright Nights at the South Florida Fairgrounds
Thursday  1:45 pm- 2:45 pm
Room: 123
$55/attendee ( pre-registration)
$65/attendee ( on-site registration)
The purpose of this Seminar is to demystify interactive queue line acting, and provide tools for queue line actors of all experience levels to create unique and interesting interactive performances. Creating and performing as characters that are effective in a queue line setting is not always intuitive, and whether as a scare actor or an actor trainer, having tools and specific techniques to connect with the guests is essential to raising your game.

Make Your Guest Experience Legendary! Delivering an Incredible Visitor Experience Every Time BUY NOW
Speaker: Amy Hollaman and Brett Bertolino, Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group
Thursday  1:45 pm-  2:45pm
Room: 132
$55/attendee ( pre-registration)
$65/attendee ( on-site registration)
Poor customer service is no joke and it will negatively impact your bottom line! Every interaction a customer has with your staff has the potential to impact their experience positively or negatively. Everything your customer sees, hears, smells, tastes, or touches at your event impacts their experience.  Improving guest satisfaction will lead to increased length of stay, repeat visitation and ultimately increased revenue! In this seminar Brett and Amy will reveal the strategies that have proven successful in delivering an exceptional visitor experience at some of the largest Halloween events from coast to coast.

Safety is Always #1! Best Practices in Safety for Haunted Attractions the Pennsylvania Way! BUY NOW
Speaker: Jim Werner, (Pennhurst  Asylum)  Randy Bates, (The Bates Motel and Haunted Hayride), Jim Schopf (Field of Screams)
Thursday  3:00pm- 4:00pm
Room: 121
$55/attendee ( pre-registration)
$65/attendee ( on-site registration)
Safety is no joke, and anyone in the Haunt business understands how many critical steps you need to take to get open, operate, and take good care of your staff and customers. Topics include Fire Safety, Building Codes, Staff Training, Crowd Management, and understanding the types of insurance you need to have in place if disaster strikes! C.H.A.O.S. (this seminar goes towards your C.H.A.O.S. Safety Certification)

Amazing Tool or Dangerous Technology? How You Can Successfully Harness the Power of AI for Your Attraction BUY NOW
Speaker: Teddy Summers, Dark Hour Haunted House
Thursday 3:00pm- 4:00pm
Room: 123
$55 attendee ( pre-registration)
$65/attendee ( on-site registration)
As AI becomes more and more prevalent in the current business landscape, we are met with many questions regarding its use for the haunted attraction industry. In this class, I would like to go over how attractions are currently using AI, what the future holds for its use as a part of our business practices, and how we can avoid misusing such a powerful tool that almost everyone has access to.

Building Epic Scenes and Wow Moments For Outdoor Attractions! BUY NOW
Speaker: Todd Fedyshyn, (Reaaper’s Revenge Haunted Hayride & Attractions), Patrick Barberry, (Legends of the Fog) & Nick Markoff, (Markoff’s Haunted Forest)
Thursday  3:00pm- 4:00pm
Room: 132
$55 attendee ( pre-registration)
$65/attendee ( on-site registration)
Building elaborate outdoor scenes that are designed to scare and impress is an art form all its own. Using materials that will last in the weather, properly setting up air and electrical systems that will survive the season and creating good scare spots for actors can be a radically different process than it is for indoor attractions. Join our panel of experts as they discuss these and other challenges for outdoor events and reveal the best methods to solve them.

Covering your Assets: Protecting Your Show, Emergency Action Plans and Safety Checks BUY NOW
Speaker: Haunted Attraction Association
Thursday, March 7th
Time: 4:15pm-5:15pm
Room: 121
$55/attendee ( pre-registration)
$65/attendee ( on-site registration)
Even the most well-run show is not insulated from sudden emergencies, from sick customers to active threats. Challenges can come out of nowhere, and an attraction with active and practiced emergency action plans and consistent safety checks can help weather any storm you may face. Follow Jim Werner, The Operations Manager of Pennhurst Asylum, as he leverages 22
years of emergency services work to cover the ins and outs of attraction safety, from building an Emergency Action Plan (E.A.P.) that’ll make a fire marshal smile, to inspections, responses, and rehearsals of emergencies. Learn the tools that will easily help you protect your most valuable investment… your business! C.H.A.O.S. (this seminar goes towards your C.H.A.O.S. Safety Certification)

Carve Out Space In Their Heads: Use Chemistry to Make Them Remember You BUY NOW
Speaker: Allen Hopps, Dark Hour Haunted House
Thursday 4:15pm- 5:15pm
Room: 123
$55/attendee ( pre-registration)
$65/attendee ( on-site registration)
This seminar will show you how to make your guests remember your haunt, how you can use psychology and human nature to make sure that your haunt’s sets, story, and characters will find a forever home in the mind of your guests.

Tech Brainstorming! Learn Creative Special Effect Ideas From Our Panel of Experts BUY NOW
Speaker: Moderator, Ben Armstrong (Netherworld Haunted House) Panel: Tyler Fermanich (Nightmare Forge), Max Armstrong (Netherworld Haunted House), Marco D’Andrea (Fear Columbus)
Thursday 4:15pm- 5:15pm
Room: 132
$55/attendee ( pre-registration)
$65/attendee ( on-site registration)
Every season the tech aspects of haunted attractions grow even more complex as new special effects and control systems become more popular in our industry. Join our knowledgeable panel as they dive deep into understanding the most effective strategies to master these emerging technologies and get superior results from animatronics lighting, sound, projection, fog and other special effects.

FRIDAY, MARCH 8TH

Non-Dramatic Pneumatics: Easy and Effective Ways to Scare with Air BUY NOW
Speaker: Boston Petit, Dark Hour Haunted House
Friday  11:15am- 12:15pm
Room: 121
$55/attendee ( pre-registration)
$65/attendee ( on-site registration)
Together in this seminar we will be taking the stress out of implementing pneumatics inside your attraction. We will be covering practical uses, troubleshooting tips, and be taking a deep insider look into how pneumatics can be used to add dynamic elements into your attraction. If you’ve ever considered pneumatics, come gain the insight and knowledge you need to give you a push to confidently start your pneumatics journey!

Creating Colossal Creatures! Build Massive Props With Inexpensive Materials BUY NOW
Speaker: Ryan Visinguard, Woods of Terror
Friday 11:15am- 12:15pm
Room: 123
$55/attendee ( pre-registration)
$65/attendee ( on-site registration)
To make an impact, sometimes you need to take things to a colossal scale.. like many of the industry leaders, their haunts are adorned with over-scale props, monsters, creatures, and other things that go bump in the night.. this class is going to give you a crash course in colossal creature creation using what you may already have lying around…

Let Ryan take you through the ins and outs of his maddening process when creating colossal creatures for scenes and photo ops using the most rudimentary materials from discarded wood to rotting burlap and broken props, no material is unusable when creating colossal monstrosities.

Guaranteed to get your creative brains oozing on how to use discarded materials to take your prop building to colossal heights.

Foundations of Fear: Opening or Growing an Attraction in Today’s Fast-Paced Business World BUY NOW
Speaker: Spencer Terry, Fear Factory
Friday 11:15am- 12:15pm
Room: 132
$55/attendee ( pre-registration)
$65/attendee ( on-site registration)
The haunted house industry is growing at incredible speed. If you’re thinking of opening an attraction, small or large, join Fear Factory GM/Equity Owner and Haunted Attraction Association President Spencer Terry as he breaks down an accelerated, in-depth and fast-paced seminar to review the nuts and bolts to developing and starting your haunted house business. From growth patterns, to learning moments, to secrets and tools that leveraged great success, he’ll cover many of the things that helped Fear Factory become what it is today and continues to plan ahead for the future. C.H.A.O.S. (this seminar goes towards your C.H.A.O.S. Safety Certification)

Devilish Detailing -Take Your Props and Sets to The Next Level with Fiendish Painting Techniques! BUY NOW
Christopher de Troy, Set Designer, Scenic Artist & Teacher
Friday 12:30pm- 1:30pm
Room: 132
$55/ attendee ( pre-registration)
$65 / attendee ( on-site registration)
Join Christopher in this dynamic, informational and exciting seminar! Learn recipes for faux finishes and washes to achieve outstanding realistic effects. We’ll review the importance of technique and its proper application. Then we will discuss the fine art of layering different mediums and colors. You will leave this seminar feeling invigorated, inspired and informed!

How To Bang Out Terrifying Haunt Makeups FAST! BUY NOW
Speaker: Kyle Vest, Price of Fear
Friday 12:30pm- 1:30pm
Room: 121
$55/ attendee ( pre-registration)
$65 / attendee ( on-site registration)
Are you a Haunt owner or Artist asking these questions:

  • Why are the actors in the makeup room this long?
  • Why is the makeup budget so high?
  • Why am I not getting makeup that is out of this world and commercial-ready?
  • What tools should I be using or the setup?

This is the perfect class for you to get all those answers and many others! You will learn the steps to achieve fast and efficient makeup in the attraction’s makeup room and the many ways to set up the makeup room. This class teaches not only makeup artists but also attraction owners, attraction managers, and staff. You will learn and understand the costs of attraction makeup to better manage your budget.This class will cover all aspects of makeup from hand painting to special effects and prosthetics. This is a live demonstration with all styles of makeup!
This class is taught by world-famous Kyle Vest from Season 2 of Skin Wars. He has trained at over 30 different haunted attractions, 3 makeup schools, and 2 colleges.

Super Scares Step By Step BUY NOW
Speaker: Allen Hopps, Dark House Haunted House
Friday 12:30pm- 1:30pm
Room:123
$55/attendee ( pre-registration)
$65/attendee ( on-site registration)
Break down the haunted attraction and let’s make tweaks that will make your show scarier: From simple scares to psychological terror, we will talk about things that will instill terror and dread in your guests! Including 15 scares that you can place right into your show regardless of theme, you will find gems in this class that will make this next season awesome!

Food, Drinks, Gift Shops and Photo Sales: Rack Up Extra Profits With Non-Traditional Revenue Streams! BUY NOW
Speaker: Billy Messina & Alex Burgraff (Netherworld Haunted House), John Eslich (Factory Of Terror/Haunted Schoolhouse and Lab), Stephen Kristof (Realm of Terror)
Friday, 1:45pm-2:45pm
Room: 121
$55/attendee ( pre-registration)
$65/attendee ( on-site registration)
Event producers are increasingly looking for new revenue streams to raise additional funds and improve the guest experience. Many attractions rely on outside vendors to handle these but some owners are taking them in house and seeing excellent profits. Our panel will discuss the rewards and pitfalls of getting in deep with food, alcohol, gift shops and photo sales, and touch on other revenue streams such as escape and carnival games to pump up your bottom line!

Attracting and Managing Massive Crowds at Your Attraction BUY NOW
Speaker: Michael Edwards & Bart Butler, Terror in the Corn
Friday 1:45 pm-2:45 pm
Room: 123
$55/attendee ( pre-registration)
$65/attendee ( on-site registration)
Explore the secrets behind the remarkable surge in attendance at Terror in the Corn in this seminar. Delve into the journey of Bart Butler and Michael Edwards, who witnessed their customer base skyrocket from 20k to 50k in just 1 year. Gain insights into their expertise as they unravel the strategies employed to navigate this substantial increase, addressing crucial aspects such as staffing, operations, and throughput. Discover the meticulous best practices implemented to prioritize both customer and staff safety, ensuring an exceptional show experience while minimizing wait times. Join us to unlock the keys to successfully handling and optimizing large crowds for your attraction. C.H.A.O.S. (this seminar goes towards your C.H.A.O.S. Safety Certification)

Cheap Scares That Won’t Frighten Your Wallet! BUY NOW
Speaker: John Denley,  Boneyard Productions International
Friday  1:45pm- 2:45pm
Room: 132
$55/attendee ( pre-registration)
$65/attendee ( on-site registration)
When people enter you haunt, the first question is always…”Is It Scary?” I have visited “Mega-Budget” shows all over the world and many FAIL on the scare factor, I’ll tell you why! I’ll show you how to turn your haunt into a “Scream Machine”!! In this face paced and “in your face” seminar, you will learn:

  • The 13 Greatest Scares in the Haunting Industry and many bonus never scares never seen before !
  • How to properly design your show to achieve maximum Fight Level !
  • What “really” scares people and the psychology behind it !
  • How to turn your actors into a “Terror Team” and get the most from your staff !
  • Why certain scares fail and should be avoided !
  • How to generate extra income from your haunt ! I can show you how to make huge profit gains without increasing your payroll !
  • The industry has changed! I’ll show you how to stay ahead of the curve!
  • How to “out-haunt” your competition !

Let me put over 30 years of Haunting experience to work for you.! You can’t afford to miss this class!

Make a Copy of Anything! Silicone Mold Making 101 BUY NOW
Speaker: Alex Lohmann, When Hinges Creak
Friday 3:00pm- 4:00pm
Room: 121
$55/attendee ( pre-registration)
$65/attendee ( on-site registration)
An introduction to silicone molds. In this class Alex Lohmann will demonstrate how useful silicone molds are to use and how simple they can be to make. He will be covering some of the most common mold types, the types of silicones used, how to calculate cost and, most importantly, will show you how to get started making molds of your own.

Visions Of Terror: Pre-Visualization Techniques for Haunted Attraction Design
Speaker: Jon Cook, Plague Productions BUY NOW
Friday 3:00pm-4:00pm
Room: 123
$55/attendee ( pre-registration)
$65/attendee ( on-site registration)
Discover the transformative potential of pre-visualization techniques in project design with Plague Productions. Gain valuable insights as they guide you through a comprehensive exploration of techniques such as layouts, concept art, and 3D modeling. Learn to seamlessly integrate these methods into your creative process, empowering you to organize and effectively communicate a strategic roadmap for your projects. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your skills and elevate your project design capabilities with the expertise of Plague Productions.

Crush Your Marketing with Social Media BUY NOW
Speaker: Nicole Ginsburg, Intrigue & Co./Frightmare Farms Haunted Screampark/Aster Farmstead/Blast CNY
Friday  3:00pm- 4:00pm
Room: 132
$55/attendee ( pre-registration)
$65/attendee ( on-site registration)
It’s no secret, Social Media has become the lifeblood of haunted attractions! The formula for success is ever-changing, with new trends and coveted content captivating your audience’s attention. It’s time to unveil the secrets and harness the magic of staying LOUD in an ever changing world!

Join Nicole Ginsburg in this bewitching seminar as she delves into:

  • Social Mediums: Unveiling what’s relevant and what eerie wonders are coming down the pike.
  • Spend and Trends: Guiding you on where to channel your limited dollars for maximum impact and how to create a buzz with pocket change.
  • Content: Crafting: creative, creepy, and captivating narratives – unlocking the art of it all!
  • DIY or Talent: Deciphering when to take the reins yourself and when it’s time to summon professional talents.

Nicole will lead this fast-paced seminar, arming you with the sorcery you need for your haunted attraction’s social media in 2024. Get ready to crush your marketing and enchant your audience!

The 13th Gate Presents: Design Your Costume & Makeup Departments For Success! BUY NOW
Speaker: David Ferrell, Christi Ferrell and Sarah Bess Brown, 13th Gate Haunted House
Friday, 4:15pm-5:15pm
Room 123
$55/attendee (pre-registration)
$65/attendee (on-site registration)
We have secured your backstage pass to the inner workings of one of the most successful costume and makeup departments in the industry… The 13th Gate!

We have mastered the setup, streamlined the process, and maintained these departments in a way that keeps our operation as one of the best in the country.

This is your chance to gain invaluable insights while getting practical tips from key members of the renowned 13th Gate Team. We will share the strategies that have worked wonders for us and admit to the one strategy that didn’t quite work.

Whether you’re a seasoned haunt veteran or a newcomer looking to elevate your game, this seminar promises to equip you with the tools needed to create the ultimate costume and makeup “machine”. Don’t miss this chance to learn from the best in the industry and set the stage for your own haunting success!

A Mad Scientist’s Guide to AI
Speaker: Todd Van Nurden is a Principal Architect/ Mad Scientist at Microsoft
Friday 4:15pm-5:15pm
Room: 132
$55/attendee (pre-registration)
$65/attendee (on-site registration)
Are you ready to learn how to use the latest advances in language and artificial intelligence to create terrifying and immersive experiences for your guests? Do you think AI is terrifying in and of itself? Do you dare to join the mad scientist Todd Van Nurdne as he reveals his experiments with LLMs and AI and leads an autopsy of this fiendish technology?

In this session, you will:

  • Learn what LLMs and AI are, how they work, and why they are revolutionizing the fields of entertainment, education, and storytelling.
  • Explore the different applications of LLMs and AI in the haunt industry, such as generating scripts, dialogues, sound effects and graphics for your scenes and characters.
  • See live demonstrations of LLMs and AI in action, and witness the amazing results they can produce.

Don’t miss this opportunity to join Todd in his laboratory of horrors, and learn how to unleash the power of LLMs and AI.

Todd Van Nurden is a Principal Architect/ Mad Scientist at Microsoft, where he has been unleashing his creativity and innovation for over 20 years. He is obsessed with natural user interfaces and how they can transform the way humans interact with the computer. He has also been a speaker and instructor at events across the world, imparting his knowledge and vision on topics such as artificial intelligence, mixed reality, and cloud computing. Todd isn’t new to the haunt industry, as he’s been collaborating with Distortions Unlimited in one form or another for the last 10 years, appearing with them in an episode of the Travel Channel’s show “Making Monsters”. When Todd isn’t being a mad scientist working to make nightmares come true, he’s collaborated with the biggest companies in the world and worked with DARPA on the original concepts for the F35 Stealth Fighter. Oh, and his side gig is being a pirate.

Don’t worry, he promises not to harm anyone… or does he? Muahahaha!

Fabricate Ornate Details for Costumes, Props and Sets: Resin Casting and Finishing 101 BUY NOW
Speaker: Alex Lohmann,When Hinges Creak
Friday 4:15pm-5:15pm
Room: 121
$55/attendee (pre-registration)
$65/attendee (on-site registration)
In this class Alex will show you how to utilize silicone molds to cast resin pieces and how best to finish them. In this class he will cover some of the most common casting materials, how to minimize waste, how to prepare parts for finishing and the process of priming, painting, aging, distressing and sealing your pieces.

SATURDAY, MARCH 9TH

Elevating Holiday Events: Strategies to Add Value & Create Lasting Memories
Speaker: Brenda Gonzalez & Mollie Gilley, Six Flags
Saturday, 10:15am-11:15am
Room 132
$55/attendee (pre-registration)
$65/attendee (on-site registration)
This session delves into the art of crafting exceptional holiday experiences that can add value to your current or future events. From seasonal entertainment options to community engagement to immersive experiences. We’ll talk through these key elements and leave you with actionable insights that will help elevate your next holiday event.

Brutal Realism: Props, Set Design, and Scenic Painting Designed to Grab ‘Em By The Throat! Part 1 BUY NOW
Speaker: Brian Demski ,Demski Creations
Saturday, 10:15am- 11:15am
Room: 121
$55/attendee (pre-registration)
$65/attendee (on-site registration)
Dive into the macabre and gory brain of Brian Demski and learn some of his tips and tricks relating to professional painting, including color choice, faux painting, blocking, stenciling, washes and many other techniques for coordinating and developing highly detailed haunted attraction scenes. If you want movie and high-end video game looks in your attraction do not miss this class!

Creating & Training Iconic Monsters BUY NOW
Speakers: Moderator, Ben Armstrong (Netherworld Haunted House), Katie Lane, (Bansheette), Scott “Tater” Lynd, (Froggy’s Fog), & Erika Jones, (Woods of Terror), Andrew Martingello (Midnight Terror Haunted House) 
Saturday March 10:15am- 11:15am
Room: 123
$55/attendee ( pre-registration)
$65/attendee ( on-site registration)
Customers often spend more time waiting to enter your attraction than they do inside it, so having truly iconic characters to entertain the lines and get the customers excited for the haunt is extremely important. In this seminar our experienced speakers will discuss how to create and train lot monsters, techniques of interaction, use of props, dialogue, costuming ideas, and all the other relevant topics you need to understand when developing your own line actors!

Brutal Realism: Props, Set Design, and Scenic Painting Designed to Grab ‘Em By The Throat! Part 2 BUY NOW
Speaker: Brian Demski ,Demski Creations
Saturday 11:30am-12:30pm
Room:121
$55/attendee ( pre-registration)
$65/attendee ( on-site registration)
Dive into Part 2 and learn the next steps to create nightmarish environments. Prop choices and sources, path design, lighting, sound and all the intricate flourishes that tell a visually disturbing story to your guests will be covered. This class will focus on developing an eye for detail and making the right choices to absolutely distract and immerse customers in shocking reality that will set them up to be terrorized by your actors! 

TikTok for Business: Turning Views Into Profitable Results BUY NOW
Speaker: Jillian DeNamur ( Spooky World Presents, Nightmare New England)Andrea Kras (Wardens Widow – Blood Prison) Taylor McElroy (Mad World Haunted House)
Saturday, March 9th
Time: 11:30am-12:30pm
Room:132
$55/attendee ( pre-registration)
$65/attendee ( on-site registration)
In this seminar, we dive deep into the world of TikTok and equip you with the skills and strategies necessary to skyrocket your view count and maximize your profits and viewership. Whether you’re an aspiring influencer, a business owner, or simply someone looking to make a splash on TikTok, this class is designed to help you thrive in the competitive landscape of viral videos and endless opportunities from 3 different perspectives within the haunt industry. Our experienced instructors will guide you through a comprehensive curriculum that covers every aspect of TikTok success. We start by understanding the algorithm that powers TikTok’s content distribution, unraveling its mysteries to ensure your videos reach a wider audience. We delve into the psychology behind viral content, teaching you how to create captivating videos that resonate with viewers.

 61 Powerful Ideas To Supercharge Your Haunted Attraction! BUY NOW
Speaker: Ben Armstrong ( Netherworld Haunted House), Allen Hopps (Dark Hour Haunted House), John LaFlamboy (HellsGate Haunted House)
Saturday  11:30am- 12:30pm
Room:123
$55/attendee ( pre-registration)
$65/attendee ( on-site registration)
Need some crazy ideas to get going for 2024? In this fast paced seminar Ben Armstrong from NETHERWORLD Haunted House, Allen Hopps From Dark Hour Haunted House and John LaFlamboy from HellsGate Haunted House will serve up 61 concepts to help you be more successful next season. Scares, marketing ideas, revenue concepts, special effects, costuming tips, set dressing ideas and more are all on the table. If you want a grab bag of wild stuff to get your mind churning, this is it!

Crafting Extreme Sensory Overload With Technology and Design BUY NOW
Speaker: Nick Francis & Marco D’Andrea, Fear Columbus Haunted House
Saturday 12:45pm- 1:45pm
Room: 121
$55/attendee ( pre-registration)
$65/attendee ( on-site registration)
Learn how we use audio, lighting, and special effects, along with layout and design, to create an atmosphere that evokes total sensory overload. We will briefly go over our theory on the topic and how to do this in a way that improves the customer experience overall. We will also show some data points from our customer surveys over the years showing drastic improvements in customer satisfaction through this approach. We will then spend the majority of the seminar talking through the technical implementation and providing a roadmap you can take immediate action on, whether you are a small or large attraction.

Producing Your Show With Safety In Mind, the Zombie Army Way BUY NOW
Speaker: John LaFlamboy (Zombie Army Productions/HellsGate Haunted House)
Saturday 12:45pm- 1:45pm
Room: 123
$55/attendee ( pre-registration)
$65/attendee ( on-site registration)
Designing a safe attraction, using proper materials, and working with your local inspectors are all great starts to a safe show. However, nothing increases the safety level and success of your show as much as a well trained staff.  Join John, of Zombie Army Productions, as he walks you through his safety preparation and staff training for HellsGate Haunted House: Hiring, Acting Techniques, Actor Guidelines, Evacuation drills, Emergency Action Plans, Fire Extinguisher Training, Zone Leads, Monitor Dispatch, Incident Reports, Nightly Training, and Evaluations. C.H.A.O.S. (this seminar goes towards your C.H.A.O.S. Safety Certification)

Build Unique Sets and Giant Creatures with Advanced Foam Carving Techniques BUY NOW
Speaker: Dan Faupel , Themed Attraction Design
Saturday 12:45pm- 1:45pm
Room: 132
$55/attendee ( pre-registration)
$65/attendee ( on-site registration)
In this class Dan Faupel will share decades of design and fabrication experience to help make your next foam project a success. He will go over design, different types of foam materials, and fabrication techniques. He will cover foam working tools, coating types, textures and techniques. Dan will also examine different recent foam projects, and the steps it took to get to the finished piece. Even advanced foam-working veterans are sure to walk away from this seminar with several new tips and tricks!

Speaker Bio: Dan Faupel is the Creative Director of Erebus Entertainment, and the Owner of Themed Attraction Design in Pontiac MI. He has over 30 years of experience in the haunted attraction and theme park industries. During that time he has worked with well over a hundred haunted attractions, amusement parks, museums, zoos, retail stores, restaurants, and other themed attractions. He is the former Vice President of Creative Visions, Senior Designer of Sally Dark Rides, General Manager of The Darkness, and does theming design work for many well-known attractions. Dan has been featured on USA Today and networks like NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, Travel Channel, DIY Network, HGTV, and his creations entertain guests all over the world.

Unlock Amazing Acting Potential BUY NOW
Speaker: Allen Hopps, Dark Hour Haunted House
Saturday: 2:00pm-3:00pm
Room: 123
$55/attendee ( pre-registration)
$65/attendee ( on-site registration)
This class is designed to get A-quality reactions out of B-level actors and A-level guest reactions out of C-level actors! Learn processes that you can use to make sure that each actor is reaching their full potential. These techniques and practices will improve your attraction’s acting and scare quality. Common actor problems have solutions, from timing to intensity, they can be rectified! I will not waste your time. Sponsored By Brushfire

How to Build Massive Terrifying Sets for Both Indoor and Outdoor Attractions BUY NOW
Speaker: Todd Fedeshyn, Reapers Revenge Haunted Hayride & Attractions
Saturday  2:00pm- 3:00pm
Room: 132
$55/attendee ( pre-registration)
$65/attendee ( on-site registration)
This seminar will share Reaper’s approach to addressing the challenges of indoor and outdoor scenic design. From conceptualizing your theme as a creative process guide, to exploring budget friendly ideas and planning tips, Reaper’s will provide the secrets to building larger than life sets. Our inspiration is creating a playground for our scare actors, as well as an atmosphere that will entertain our guests night after night. Techniques from props placement, decorations, materials, lighting, sound, and special effects will be discussed in detail. In the end, we will have demonstrated solid concepts to make this process not so scary to your team.

Critical Emerging Trends In The Haunted Attraction Industry BUY NOW
Speaker: Chris Stafford (Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group), TJ Mannarino (Universal Orlando) and Ben Armstrong (Netherworld Haunted House)
Saturday 2:00pm-3:00pm
Room: 121
$55/attendee ( pre-registration)
$65/attendee ( on-site registration)
What a season we just had! Join our panel of experts as they dissect 2023 and look forward to the difficulties and opportunities on the horizon in 2024. Topics include future challenges for the haunted attraction business, new ways to make more money at your venue, advancements in entertainment technologies, financial and cultural changes that may soon be in play, and analysis of what the customer really wants from a haunted experience.

Making the Transition From Scary to Merry BUY NOW
John Eslich (Factory of Terror), David Seneker (Basement of the Dead/Disturbia Haunted House),  Mindy Plaisance, ( RISE Haunted House)
Saturday, March  3:15pm- 4:15pm
Room: 121
$55/attendee ( pre-registration)
$65/attendee ( on-site registration)

Many attractions around the country have been very successful with off-season offerings and chief among these is the celebration of Christmas! Some venues have opted for family-fun-based events and others have kept the terror flowing with extremely scary presentations of the holiday season. Our panel will discuss the hows and whys to pull off a profitable Christmas event, the pros and cons of family friendly vs. scary, and what other revenue opportunities a Christmas event can generate.

Bloodlust: How to Distress Your Costumes with Blood & Gore! BUY NOW
Speaker: Rob O’Brien, ResirWrecked Costumes
Saturday, March 9th
Time: 3:15pm-4:15pm
Room: 123
$55/attendee ( pre-registration)
$65/attendee ( on-site registration)
Don’t sacrifice your time & money distressing costumes with blood effects no one can see! Find suggestions for the right blood for the job! We will focus on product testing, design intention, ongoing operational care, and touch ups. This seminar will hemorrhage useful information and end in a bloodbath of a Q&A.

Build a Haunted Horde! Hire, Train and Retain Hundreds of Actors and Staff for Your Haunt BUY NOW
Speaker: Ben Armstrong, Island Chance & Alex Burgraff, Netherworld Haunted House
Saturday 3:15pm-4:15pm
Room: 132
$55/attendee ( pre-registration)
$65/attendee ( on-site registration)
The backbone of any haunted event is a rock solid staff and a ton of incredible actors. But how do you find, hire, train and retain a loyal and talented crew year after year? In this seminar you will learn how Netherworld manages over 400 employees every season to produce one of the most well-known and successful haunted houses in the world.

Halloween Seminars Sponsored by
Haunted Attraction Association

All seminars and event payments are final at the time of purchase. Seminars and events are non-refundable and non-transferrable. Attendees must be at least 10 years old. Kids between 10-15 years old need to have a copy of their birth certificate. Kids 16 and older need a driver’s license or a government issued id. A valid photo id for every attendee is required for entry. All seminars and events are subject to change.