Industry News
The deadline for submissions to the Canadian Haunters Association 2021 Home Haunters Awards Contest is fast-approaching on January 15th. These annual awards honor the creativity, passion, and hard work of the Canadian Haunters Association members. Awards are presented in multiple categories to recognize each aspect of the artistry and ingenuity of a haunted attraction, including: Best Static Prop, Best Animated Prop, Best Set Design, Best Female Scareactor, Best Male Scareactor, Best Canadian Rookie Home Haunt, Best Canadian Yard Haunt, Best International Haunt, and more. To enter, eligible haunters must fill out the submission form and include a Youtube link to their Halloween haunt. A full list of rules and eligibility requirements, as well as a list of past winners can be found on the CHA's website.
Ocio Terror, a Haunt/Halloween review site in Spain, is prepping for their Horror Awards IV Edition (2021). These fan-voted awards are presented to Haunts, Horror-themed Escape Rooms, Theatrical Horror Productions, and Halloween/Horror Events that took place in Spain from October 2020 - December 31st, 2021. A full list of eligible nominees will be released to the public at the end of January and fan voting will begin. A weighted valuation criteria is used for the awards - each fan will rate only the experiences they have attended; the highest average rating will determine the winner, not the overall number of votes - thus allowing events of all sizes to have a chance to win. The awards will be presented at an awards reception in March.
U.S. Haunts & Events
Due to the uptick in COVID cases in Southern California, Zombie Joe's Underground Theatre Group's "Killer Klowns from Outer Space Cosplay Dance Party" has been postponed until the Spring of 2022. In a press release from December 30th, the group stated that this decision was "made on behalf of the health and safety of our precious Killer Klown fan universe and all of our beloved SoCal, and we look forward to all getting together when conditions are safe and secure." Rescheduled dates will be announced in the coming months. The event had been set to include Killer Klowns from Outer Space composer John Massari performing a new recording of the film's soundtrack along with a cosplay dance party, air guitar and air drum contest, and prizes.
Sinister Pointe Productions' Ghostly Retreat, a Haunted Mansion-inspired AirBNB in Southern California, is already prepping for next year's holiday season. September 23rd, 2022 - January 8th, 2023, the Ghostly Retreat will be taken over by Jack, Sally, and the rest of the Nightmare Before Christmas gang for their "Nightmare Holiday" overlay. The retreat will feature the venue's interactive spooky elements with a holiday horror twist. The AirBNB features 4 bedrooms and can accommodate up to 8 guests per night. Bookings are now available via AirBNB's website. There is a two-night minimum for weekend bookings.
Conventions & Mixers
Tickets are now available for the West Coast Halloween Convention, taking place in Portland, Oregon May 13th - 15th, 2022. The WCHC is a convention established and designed for Halloween enthusiasts, home haunters, and pro haunters. The event features educational programming, a Halloween Marketplace, networking events, costume ball, haunt tour, and more. Single day tickets start at $45, 3-day tickets start at $99, and Deluxe tickets (which include full admission, haunt tour, costume ball, breakfast buffet, and t-shirt) start at $235. The convention is also accepting applications for speakers and marketplace vendors as well as donations for their annual charity auction. WCHC - a 501(c)3 organization - uses the proceeds from their efforts to give grants to professionals who work with children with hearing impairments and/or autism. Learn more about their charity and grants on the WCHC website.
Creep it Real OC is preparing for double the fun in 2022 with two upcoming events at the Heritage Museum OC. First, Creep It Real OC returns for its third year on September 10th - 11th, 2022. The event features Halloween & horror vendors, mini haunts, live entertainment, food trucks, and more. Next is the brand-new Creep It Real Festive taking place on November 25th - 26th. This new event promises "creepy festive nighttime fun" and is sure to be a great place to start your holiday shopping for your Halloween-loving friends.
After a successful 2021 event Midsummer Scream has confirmed the return of their annual Season's Screamings holiday event for 2022. Season's Screamings will take place at the Pasadena Convention Center on December 2nd - 4th, 2022. In 2021 the event featured over 200 exhibitors, three days of panels & presentations, and "Hall of Yuletide Spirits" mini haunt area. This holiday-themed convention is the sister event to their flagship Midsummer Scream convention, which will take place July 29th - 31st, 2022 at the Long Beach Convention Center. Vendor sign-ups for both events will begin soon and attendee tickets will go on sale in the coming months.
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New Podcast Episodes
The Top 5 Travel Trends for 2022
In this New Year Special, we review our top 5 trends that will impact you and your attraction most in 2022. The list is: Reducing friction for the guest; Inflation; Season Creep; IP Extension; and Market Expansion.
Listen on Spotify, iTunes, or your favorite player.
Making Christmas
It's our Christmas special! In this special we take a break from the news to discuss the elements of a Christmas event at attractions.
Watch on Youtube. Listen on Spotify, Soundcloud, iTunes, or your favorite player.
Haunted Attraction Industry News for Dec 29
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Upcoming Events: January - March 2022
January 11 - 13: Halloween & Party Expo (Las Vegas, Nevada)
January 21 - 23: Fear Expo (Owensboro, Kentucky)
February 26 - 27: Haunt X (Pomona, California)
March 17 - 20: Transworld's Halloween & Attractions Show (St. Louis, Missouri)
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