IAHA News and Updates from IAHAweb.com

The International Association of Haunted Attractions (IAHA) Board of Directors today announced the addition of three new board members: Patrick Konopelski, Dan Hall and Tim Turner.

"I, along with the entire Board of Directors look forward to working with these outstanding Industry leaders to further promote, educate and safeguard the Haunted House Industry," said IAHA President Timothy Gavinski.

Patrick Konopelski is the owner and operator of Shocktoberfest in Reading, PA, one of the most sophisticated and high tech multi element haunted attractions in the United States. In addition to Konopelski’s nearly two decades of experience in the haunted attraction industry, he also owns Konopelski Catering, Jinglebell Fest and Apple Dumpling Festival.

Dan Hall is the owner and operator of The Boneyard Haunted Attraction in Ft. Worth TX. This massive non profit attraction is solely dedicated to assist the Special Olympics. This October will find a number of Olympians from this attraction in China as members of the United States Special Olympic team.

Tim Turner is a former film industry monster maker turned Halloween artist. He is the owner and operator of The Ghoulish Gallery in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, and also a special make-up effects and digital make up and character design instructor at Cinema Make-up School in Los Angeles, CA. Turner’s experience in the haunted attraction business spans nearly 30 years and began with the now legendary Campus Life haunted houses of the late 70's. Over the years he’s been an actor, designer, builder, owner and operator for several large “for profit” haunted attractions in the Orange County/Los Angeles area. Turner has also contributed his talents to larger commercial venues such as Universal Hollywood Horror Nights, Queen Mary’s Shipwreck Halloween Terrorfest and the award-winning Knott's Scary Farm Halloween Haunt.

The other board members are Bill Criscione, Vice President; Deanna Roberts-Morton, Secretary, Jim Smith, Treasurer; Kelly Allen, Brett Bertolino, Dan Faupel, Randy Young, Ken Donat, Eddie McLauren, Mike Krausert and Bobbie Weiner.

By Neena Collins, IAHA ScreamZine Editor

Midwest Haunters Host Annual Fright Competition, Crown Ms. Midwest
Haunt

Columbus, Ohio June 19, 2007; Do you know the scariest woman in the
Midwest? If so, tell her to head to Columbus!

The Midwest Haunters Convention is looking for the scariest woman in
the Midwest. For the past several years, the annual event has hosted
some of the most frightening characters imaginable competing on
stage. The Pageant was rated by AOL Online as a Top 13 Freaky
Attraction in the US; Fall 2006. It will be held on Saturday, July
14th at the Doubletree Hotel I-270 in Worthington, Ohio.

Ms. Midwest Haunt will receive over $300 in cash and prizes
while the first runner up will scare up over $100 in cash and prizes.
Applications are available online at
www.MidwestHauntersConvention.com. A panel of haunted attraction
industry judges will select the most frightening, intimidating and
scariest woman in the pageant.
Pictured left Ms. Midwest Haunt and Friends

The festivities begin at 8:30 p.m. with the Scareparts Masquerade
Party with "Crazy Bob" Turner as Master of Ceremonies. A Halloween
Fantasy Body Art Fashion Show will be hosted by the U.S. Body
Painting Festival will start the show. Hundreds of costumed
characters from around the country will attend the party.

The pageant is open to the first ten contestants to apply. There is a
$10 entry fee and contestants are encouraged to get a sponsor.
Typically haunted houses or costume shops are looking for a character
to represent them in the pageant. Previous pageant winners have been
from Ohio, Wisconsin and Georgia:

###

The Midwest Haunters Convention (MHC) is a weekend event for Haunted
Attraction Producers, Actors, and Home Haunters. The MHC goal is to
provide educational seminars and workshops with experienced
presenters as well as a place to socialize with others in the
industry during unique social activities. The Midwest Haunters
Convention is sponsored by Scareparts. MHC is a proud member of IAHA.

IAHA is happy to announce that the IAHA Board will be hosting a breakfast at the Midwest Haunters Convention this July. The Breakfast will be held 7-9 am July 14, 2007 at the Doubletree Hotel at I-270 Worthington (175 Hutchinson Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43235 614-885-3334). This is a great opportunity to have some relaxed conversation with your IAHA Board and fellow members. We look forward to seeing you at breakfast!

Special Board Announcement

(Niles, MI; June 19, 2007) The International Association of Haunted Attractions (IAHA) and The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) will work together to offer benefits to haunted attraction operators. “Since both our organizations serve haunted attraction owners and operators, this arrangement just made sense,” said IAAPA Executive Vice President Susan Mosedale. “We are confident members of both organizations will benefit.”

Many of IAHA’s members already attend the IAAPA Attractions Expo, which will be held this year in Orlando, FL from November 12 -16. “As a result of this arrangement, IAHA members attending this year’s IAAPA trade show will see many benefits,” said Ken Donat, IAHA Tradeshow Committee Chair.

IAAPA will offer IAHA members a free trial membership valid from July 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007 (A $495 value). This membership will entitle all IAHA members to attend the IAAPA Attractions Expo 2007 in Orlando this November for the member rate of $80 (compared to the non-member price of $190). IAHA members will also be able to attend the Attractions Management School at the member price of $210 (compared to the non-member price of $335) and the workshop sessions for free (compared to the non-member price of $285).

On Thursday, November 15, IAAPA will host a behind the scenes tour of Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights. This event is open to all IAAPA and IAHA members. Not only will IAHA members receive the discounted IAAPA member price of $65, but IAHA members will also be given the first opportunity to register for this “limited availability” event.

“Universal’s Halloween Horror Night’s is one of the nation’s most respected haunted attractions,” said IAHA Marketing Director Brett Bertolino. “I am extremely excited that this agreement will allow our members to tour this extraordinary attraction during the off-season. Like the chance to see the Netherworld Haunted House at IAAPA's Attractions Expo in Atlanta last year, this is an opportunity not to be missed!”

For additional details about the benefits of this partnership, will be available at www.IAHAweb.com/news as the become available.

About IAAPA
IAAPA is the premier trade association for the attractions industry worldwide. Founded more than 80 years ago, IAAPA is the largest international trade association for permanently-situated amusement facilities and attractions worldwide and is dedicated to the preservation and prosperity of the amusement industry. IAAPA represents more than 4,100 facility, supplier, and individual members from more than 90 countries. Member facilities include amusement/theme parks, water parks, attractions, family entertainment centers, arcades, zoos, aquariums, museums, science centers, resorts, and casinos. IAAPA is a non-profit organization. Funds generated for the association by its involvement in trade shows are returned to the association to fund services for its members and the industry. IAAPA maintains offices in Europe and the United States.

By: Dan Faupel, Vendor Committee Chair

In our never-ending mission to make IAHA's Vendor Discount Program the best offered by ANY amusement association, we are pleased to announce the addition of yet another vendor participant.

Coleman Barker Printing has agreed to offer IAHA's members a discount on printing services. The addition of a printing service really rounds out the range of discounts IAHA offers members.

Yet another example of how IAHA helps save our professional member's bottom line!

Coleman has provided printing services to several entities in the haunt industry including Netherworld, IAHA and Creative Visions.

Coleman Barker Printing, Inc.
6500 McDonough Drive
Suite B-1
Norcross, Georgia 30093
Phone: 770-242-7227
Fax: 770-242-6232
Email: cbp@ColemanBarker.com
Coleman Barker can handle all of your Haunted Attraction’s printing needs, including coupons, tickets, flyers, brochures and posters.
Coleman Barker Printing offers all IAHA Members a 10% discount on printing services.

By Timothy Gavinski, IAHA President

This past year, the IAHA Board has decided not to have booths at various tradeshows and, instead, will focus our efforts on providing more social events and educational opportunities for the membership. The IAHA gatherings at the ScreamWorks Haunted House during IAAPA 2007 and the gathering on the roof of the Erebus Four Story Haunted Edifice during HAuNTcon 2007 are examples of social events that were held at past conventions.

We are happy to announce that the IAHA Board will be hosting a breakfast at the Midwest Haunters Convention this July. The Breakfast will be Saturday morning. This is a great opportunity to have some relaxed conversation with your IAHA Board and fellow members. We look forward to seeing you at breakfast!