IAHA News & Updates

IAAPA Operations Institute to Include IAHA Certified Haunted Attraction Operator Safety program (C.H.A.O.S.) Code Compliance, Fire and Safety Issues

2008-07-05T10:08:00.000-07:00

Thursday November 20, 2008
1:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. Classroom study
4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Field Trip

Audience: mid-level management, operations personnel, rides personnel, safety and maintenance personnel marketing and communications personnel.

In cooperation with the International Association of Haunted Attractions (IAHA) and the Mobile Midway Safety Institute (M.M.S.I.) IAAPA presents the Certified Haunted Attraction Operator Safety program (C.H.A.O.S.) The program will focus on code compliance and fire, panic and safety issues for haunted attractions and will include a site visit to one of Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights haunted attractions. It will demonstrate to haunted attractions operators, the importance of taking a long term or year-round approach to patron safety and maintenance planning.

The program will provide an overview of the current standards pertaining to haunted attractions including ASTM and NFPA. It will also detail the operations requirements for a haunted or walk-through attraction including: automatic sprinklers systems, temporary or permanent water supply, smoke detection devices, alarm systems, illumination and exit markings and Class A interior finishes. The course will also consider inspection requirements, how to identify and correct hazards, and how to comply with established operating standards.

The course will end with a field trip to Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights where attendees will visit a number of haunted houses as well as hear a presentation by Universal Studios entertainment production staff on how they produce Halloween Horror Nights.

Course Content:
Codes and standards governing haunted attractions (ASTM, NFPA)
Hazard identification
Operational compliance issues
Inspection and maintenance systems
Actual examples and case studies
Best practices

C.H.A.O.S. Credits: Participants are eligible for up to 8 hours of credit towards a new or renewal Certified Haunted Attraction Operator Safety program (C.H.A.O.S.) certification.

Presenter Phil Slaggert is president of Mobile Midway Safety Institute in Hobe Sound, Florida and is a certified safety inspector and loss prevention expert.

2009 HAuNTcon Pre-show Bus Tour Takes Shape

2008-07-04T10:29:00.000-07:00

Haunters from across the country will be traveling to Milwaukee, Wisconsin for HAuNTcon 2009. The convention will be held at the Wyndham Milwaukee Airport Hotel & Convention Center from April 30th through May 4, with a pre-show bus tour scheduled for April 28-30.

Each of the four VIP busses will be hosted by their own speaker leading a “rolling seminar” on a specific topic. The tentative speakers and topics include:

• Patrick Konopelski, Shocktoberfest: From Halloween Screams to Jingle Bell Dreams!
• Brett Bertolino, Eastern State Penitentiary’s Terror Behind the Walls: The Ins and Outs of Dynamic Ticketing
• Tony Wohlgemuth, SpookyWoods: Turning your daytime events into nighttime dollar$
• John LaFlamboy, Zombie Army Productions: Marketing your event to today’s generation!

The pre-show activities start on the evening of Tuesday, April 28th with a visit and lights on tour of Industrial Chaos in Fort Atkinson, WI. Day two will be jam packed with tours of three more Wisconsin attractions: Hartford Jaycees, Terror on Rural Street and the legendary Terror on the Fox.

The pre-show tour concludes on Thursday with a lights on tour of Terror on the Fox in the morning and a show and lights on tour of Shawno Manor before returning to the Wyndham Hotel in the late afternoon just in time to rest up before the Thursday night haunted house tour at Realm of Terror that will officially kick off HAuNTcon 2009.

The Friday night tour is of the multi-element The Wisconsin Fear Grounds (Morgan Manor, Freaky’s Fun House & Unstable) and the Sunday night Haunt Tour will be of Dominion of Terror.

Off season Haunt tours and Haunter Education are the cornerstones of HAuNTcon and the Haunts on the 2009 schedule are not to be missed!

For more information about HAuNTcon 2008 visit www.HAuNTcon.com or call 972-951-5100.

IAHA Director Bobbie Weiner to Speak at IAAPA’s Women in the Industry Lunch

2008-07-02T10:42:00.000-07:00

IAHA Director Bobbie Weiner, better known as “Bloody Mary,” has been asked by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) to be the keynote speaker at their Women in the Industry Networking Lunch. Weiner will speak not only about her business success, but also about her philanthropic success as well.

The Women in the Industry Networking Lunch will be held at IAAPA’s Attractions Expo in Orlando, FL on Friday, November 21, 2008.

TransWorld Exhibits, Inc. Moves 14th National Haunt & Attractions Show to the America's Center in St. Louis

2008-07-01T13:03:00.000-07:00

New Venue Selected in Response to Growth of Haunt Industry

(Northfield, IL) – In an exciting move, TransWorld Exhibits, Inc.
announced its decision to move the 14th National Haunt & Attractions
Show (HauntShow) to St. Louis, Missouri, at the America's Center,
March 27 – 29, 2009.

Previously held in conjunction with TransWorld's International
Halloween, Costume & Party Show (HCPShow), the HauntShow will stand on
its own in St. Louis, Missouri, giving the buyers and vendors of the
Haunt community convenient access to the industry's #1 trade show in a
business environment created just for them.

"After extensive market research and input from vendors and buyers
alike, we decided to spin-off the 14th National Haunt & Attractions
Show and have it stand alone in a Midwest location that is central to
the greatest number of participants in this industry," said Joe
Thaler, chairman and chief executive officer of TransWorld Exhibits,
Inc., owner of the show. "The Haunt industry continues to grow with
advances in special effects, animatronics, sound & lighting, and
props. More and more, these products are used in venues on a
year-round basis whether it is in a theme park, theatrical production
or a haunted house. This growth within the industry demands a
stand-alone trade show dedicated solely to the Haunt industry," Thaler
continued. "St. Louis is the perfect gateway to a marketplace where
the Haunt community can come together."

The complete schedule of activities for the 14th National Haunt &
Attractions Show in St. Louis will be announced in the coming weeks.
Highlights of the show will include:

• New product introductions from the industry's leading companies
• Extensive seminar programming
• Networking events and competitions
• Special events and tours, and much more

The TransWorld International Halloween, Costume & Party Show will
continue to host a Haunt Pavilion as Haunt products are also
fundamental to the celebration of the Halloween season and the buyer
of Halloween and
seasonal merchandise. The HCPShow will take place March 6 – 9, 2009 at
the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas.

Special exhibit packages are available for exhibitors that wish to
participate in both the St. Louis and Las Vegas events.

For more than 60 years, TransWorld Exhibits has been a leading
producer of independent trade shows. The business, which had its roots
in the housewares and consumer electronics industry, has over the
years expanded its offerings to include general merchandise, Halloween
merchandise, giftware, seasonal items, luxury merchandise, jewelry,
fashion and accessories. The firm runs trade shows in Chicago, Las
Vegas, and St. Louis.

For more information on attending or exhibiting, please call
800-323-5462 or 847-446-8434 for international calls. Information is
also available at www.hauntshow.com and www.hcpshow.com.

IAHA Director Named Senior Designer at Sally Corp.

2008-06-06T13:55:00.000-07:00

Sally Corporation has selected Dan Faupel, formerly vice president of Creative Visions, to join the Sally design team as senior designer.

Faupel, who worked with Creative Visions, an animation and themed environment company in St. Louis, for the past ten years, brings a wide range of experience in art direction and design to his new position. With Creative Visions, he was involved in projects for Six Flags, Universal Studios, Busch Gardens, Knott’s Berry Farm and other parks and attractions.

In addition to his design work, Faupel has experience as a production manager and project manager, hands-on finish artist and sculptor. He has also taught seminars at tradeshows around the country on such topics as FX fabrication, life-casting and sculpting.

“We conducted an extensive search to find the right person for this position,” says Sally Corporation CEO John Wood, “…someone with a wide range of capabilities and experience who could hit the ground running: Dan is a great fit and has already put his expertise to work on several new Sally projects.”

Faupel is currently on the board of directors for the International Association of Haunted Attractions and is chairman of IAHA’s vendor committee. As senior designer, Faupel reports directly to Drew Hunter, Sally’s vice president-creative design.

MHC CHAOS SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED

2008-06-06T07:48:00.000-07:00

C.H.A.O.S.
Midwest Haunters Convention
Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio
Friday June 13, 2008: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm

Schedule:
9:30 Introduction & C.H.A.O.S. Overview: Brett Bertolino, IAHA Vice President

9:40 Training of Actors and Support Staff: Kelly Collins, Terror Park

10:40 Fire & Panic In Haunted Houses: Phil Slaggert, M.M.S.I.

12:10 Break, Lunch will be provided in room

12:30 Haunted Attractions - Installation, Maintenance and Operation: Joe Whitcher, Oak Island Productions

2:00 New Safety Codes and Enforcement in OH: A Case Study, Bob Turner, Haunted Hydro

2:45 Break

3:00 Pneumatic Prop Maintenance and Safety: Brian Warner, Evilusions LLC

4:00 Code Compliance - Life Safety 101: Phil Slaggert, M.M.S.I.

5:40 pm Certification Test (optional)

Seminar Descriptions

Training of Actors and Support Staff – Presentation Length: 1 hour
Actors and support staff play a critical role in the event of an emergency. Are they prepared to deal with unruly patrons, lost children inappropriate behaviors, first aid and guest complaints? Can they perform efficiently in an emergency? This presentation will explore the in’s and out’s of actor and support training for haunted attractions.

Fire & Panic In Haunted Houses - Presentation Length: 1.5 hours
A historical look at the origins of NFPA 101 “The Lifesaving Code.” This presentation uses actual case studies to underscore the importance of NFPA 101 in an overall risk reduction strategy for haunted houses, mazes and other attractions that can be classified as “Special Amusement Buildings.”

Haunted Attractions - Installation, Maintenance and Operation - Presentation Length: 1.5 hours
This presentation will discuss proper installation, theming, creative design, maintenance and operation of seasonal, temporary and permanent haunted houses, mazes and other walk-through attractions. The seminar will discuss how to make elements of your attraction safe yet very impactful. It will cover many basic "must have" attraction elements that will keep your attraction safe and within code. Emphasis will be placed on the unique creative and logistical challenges operators face in the day-to-day operation of these types of attractions... and how these challenges can be minimized through design principles and use of proper materials. NFPA 101 Lifesaving Code will be discussed.

Pneumatic Prop Maintenance and Safety - Presentation Length: 1 hour
A common sense approach to safely maintaining, operating and inspecting pneumatic effects used in haunted attractions, outdoor walkthroughs and hay rides.

Code Compliance - Life Safety 101 - Presentation Length: 1.5 hours
How do the codes and standards impact your overall risk reduction strategy for your haunted attraction. This presentation will focus on all aspects of NFPA 101 Lifesaving code, NFPA 701, NFPA 10, and other codes that impact the overall safety of your attraction.

Register online at IAHAweb.com.

HAUNTERS FOR HOOTERS

2008-05-15T18:53:00.000-07:00

The Haunted Attraction Industry joins the fight against breast cancer. Some of the most prominent names that make “Scary” their business are pulling every skeleton out of the ground to raise money for Nancy Allen, a fellow Haunter/pervious Haunt Owner. Allen, who is also known as “Elmyra, the Hearse Chic”, was misdiagnosed in August 2007 with what doctors referred to as “only a cyst”. On December 25th, Allen was diagnosed with Stage 3 Cancer, resulting in her having to have one breast immediately removed. Like millions of Americans, Miss Allen has no health insurance.

The Official Drive, “Haunters for Hooters”, will take place at Midwest Haunters Convention in Columbus, Ohio June 13-15th. Included in the sponsor list are BIG names like “Midnight Syndicate Films and Soundtracks”, “The International Association of Haunted Attractions”, “Haunted Attraction Magazine”, “Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando”, "Sinister Visions", "The Ghoulish Gallery”, Dee Snider from Twisted Sister, Pat Priest from “The Munsters” and Camden Toy from “Angel and Buffy the Vampire Slayer” just to name a few.

HAUNTERS FOR HOOTER EVENTS AT MIDWEST HAUNTERS CONVENTION INCLUDE:

* FRIDAY, JUNE 13th 2008
Friday Night Party Fundraiser with walk through inflatable Haunted House
sponsored by Bad Boys Scenic Design and Midnight Syndicate.

* SATURDAY, JUNE 14TH, 2008
HAUNTERS FOR HOOTERS BOOTH. Selling T-shirts and Haunters for Hooters memorabilia
AND Appearance by the “Hooters Girls”. Raffle tickets will be sold to yet to be
announced Movie Items. 100% of Raffle tickets profits will go to Kathryn Dessault of
Lafitte’s Landing. Kathyrn, a Haunt owner from Texas, will receive 100% of the
profits.

* SUNDAY, JUNE 15th, 2008
HAUNTERS FOR HOOTERS BOOTH AND SILENT AUCTION. Auction will take place from
10am-12pm.

HAUNTERS FOR HOOTERS IS A NON-PROFIT FUNDRAISER WITH 100% OF PROFITS GOING TO BRAVE BREAST CANCER FIGHTERS NANCY ALLEN AND KATHYRN DESSAULT.

For more information visit www.HauntersforHooters.com.

Midwest Haunters Convention Announces Friday Night Tour

2008-04-30T14:17:00.000-07:00

The organizers of the Midwest Haunters Convention are excited to
announce the much anticipated details of their Friday Night bus tour -
A Midsummer Night Scream!

Kicking off the on the evening of June 13th 2008, the tour will first
head to The Scarefactory. David Fauchman, owner of Scarefactory, has
graciously offered to open his brand new facility and showroom to
guests of MHC. At the Scarefactory, participants will be treated to a
tour of the facility, food and beverages, and a silent auction of
props built for, and used at, the Playboy Mansion. This is your
opportunity to purchase one of a kind props from The Scarefactory.

After this stop, tour guests will be treated to a tour of the House of
Nightmares and a Club Vampire Party. Both of these activities will be
open throughout the rest of the evening with bus transportation being
provided between them.

The House of Nightmares was the featured stop at the second MHC. In a
new downtown Columbus location, owner Dave Treisch is excited to be
hosting the bus tour once again. Located in the historic Brewery
District, this stop promises to be a unique experience!

A new event for MHC's Friday night activites is a party jam packed
with live music! In collaboration with Club Vampire and Rich Hanf,
and hosted by the Bar of Modern Art (BoMA), the haunt industry's first
live horror concert will feature performances by Robert Frankenburg,
The Scab 5, Symphonic Sacrifices, Hematosis, Razorbliss, Red Sky
Rising, Der Nister, and Blizzard of Ozz. Set in a 19th cenbtury
church, and decorated by Club Vampire, this is an event not to be
missed! Sponsored by Midnight Syndicate and Dental Distortions.

IAHA Director Bobbie Weiner featured on cover of Millionaire Blueprints

2008-04-20T15:22:00.000-07:00

IAHA Director Bobbie Weiner, better known as "Bloody Mary", was featured on the cover of the May/June 2008 issue of Millionaire Blueprints, the award-winning Texas based entrepreneurial magazine.

See www.millionaireblueprints.com for more information about the article.

Three new Vendor Discount Participants Announced

2008-04-20T14:16:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce that Unit 70, Zagone Studios and Illusionator have joined the IAHA Vendor Discount Program!

If you haven't seen it lately, please visit the discount section of the IAHA website at http://www.iahaweb.com/vendordiscounts.html.

Unit 70 Studios

Phone: 614-225-0183
Website: www.Unit70.com
Email: Bo@Unit70.com

Unit 70 is proud to offer all IAHA Members 5% off of any of their products.

Zagone Studios
2600 W. Irving Park Rd.
Chicago, Illinois 60618
Phone: 773-509-0610
Website: www.zagonestudios.com
Email: info@zagonestudios.com

Zagone Studios is pleased to offer IAHA Members 5% off of purchases up to $200.00 and 10% off of purchases over $200.00.

Illusionator

51 Pepperell Road
Hollis, NH 03049
Toll-Free: 888-PRO-HAUNT
Phone: 603-465-2554
Email: info@illusionator.com
Website: www.illusionator.com

Illusionator offers special effects and custom banners to haunted attractions, family entertainment centers, and amusement parks. See our web site for full details, examples, and videos of all our offerings.

Illusionator is proud to extend a 10% discount off of any of our products, at any time of year, to any IAHA member. To obtain the discount, please order over the phone (not using our online shopping cart), and give us your IAHA member information. (Cannot be combined with other discounts.)

Not too late to go to HAuNTcon

2008-04-20T14:14:00.000-07:00

HAuNTcon is April 24-27 at the Houston Grand Plaza Hotel. Visit http://www.hauntcon.com/ for full information.

Don't forget that HAuNTcon offers IAHA Members $20 off either the Full Access Combo Ticket or Full Weekend Registration. They also offered all null Member Vendors a free ad in the HAuNTcon program when they bought a booth at HAuNTcon.

Lights Alive Limited IAHA Discount

2008-04-20T14:12:00.000-07:00

Lights Alive Limited IAHA Discount

With the release of FireFly, the worlds most advanced lightning simulator, Lights Alive has set the standard by which all other lightning devices are now measured. We're offering more features, more lighting channels, higher power ratings, more realistic operation, optimization for LED light sources and much more. Simply put, "we're lightning years ahead of the competition".

We are offering a one-time, never to be repeated discount of 20% on all FireFly orders placed prior to May 31. Credit cards will not be charged until the projected ship date of June 1. In order to protect our dealers, this pre-release sale will not be repeated. IAHA members, however, will always receive a 10% discount on FireFly units purchased directly from Lights Alive simply by entering the coupon code "IAHA08" at checkout.

More details on FireFly can be found on the Lights Alive website at www.Lights-Alive.com or by emailing Ron Musgrave at Ron@Lights-Alive.com.

Regards,

Ron Musgrave
Lights Alive
8206 Rockville Rd, #186
Indianapolis, IN 46214

Regards,

Ron null
Lights Alive
8206 Rockville Rd, #186
Indianapolis, IN 46214

IAHA Auction Report

2008-04-01T14:28:00.000-07:00

The IAHA Auction held at Transworld was a huge success, raising over $7300.00 for the association! Many Haunted Attraction Industry Vendors generously donated products and services to the auction, showing that they are truly supporters of this industry. You should try to support them in return! Below is a list of those supporting vendors, and what they donated:

Zagone Studios- Full costume (mask, gown and hands)
Bloody Mary- Make-up package
LaFondFX- Phantom bride statue
Sinister Visions- Logo and website package
Creative Visions- Head on a Pitchfork
Froggy's Fog- Case of Swamp Juice
Oak Island- Human Hamster Ball
Scream Studios- Sledge Hammer and Axe props
Distortions- Electric Chair
HauntedProps.com- Trophy Head prop
Ghoulish Gallery- 3 different Changing Portraits
Skeleton Store- Mr. Thrifty skeleton
Wolfe Brothers- Make-up
Mini-Spot Light Company- Color Change Glass Rock
Chuck Williams- DVD
Gore Galore- CD's, Big-O-Pipe and Bone Meat Cleaver props
SpookyWoodsFX- Head and Hands
Bad Boys Scenic Design- Bad Boys for 3 days
Rex Hamilton- Make-up visit
SPFX Masks- Mask of your choice
Chips International- Super Seller/ Digital Voice Recorder
NorthernLightsFX- Techno Strobe Light
Screamline Studios- Best Actor Trophy
Dental Distortions- Fangs, Claws and T-shirt
13th Hour Magazine- Ad in their magazine
Molar Manor- Mega-Casket
Tater- Tater
______________________________

Six New Additions to the IAHA Vendor Discount Program!

2008-03-11T14:06:00.000-07:00

Hauntcon, Ghost Ride Productions, Dark Art Store, Fearscape Studios, Hauntedprops, and Oak Island join our line-up of discounts. Their discount listings are below.

One of IAHA's missions is to save and make money for both buyers and vendors in the Haunted Attraction Industry, and the IAHA Vendor Discount Program succeeds in both areas!

The IAHA Vendor Discount Program is the longest-running discount program in the industry, and is devoted to catering to the needs of true industry professionals.

IAHA has about 50 discounts to help save your attraction money, and has a discount for just about any need your professional attraction could have!

If you have never viewed the entire line-up of discounts please visit http://www.iahaweb.com/vendordiscounts.html . The entire discount section of the website has been overhauled, and the listings have been streamlined (Thanks Chad!).

Visit it today!

Dan Faupel
IAHA Director
Chairman IAHA Vendor Committee
www.IAHAweb.com

IAHA LIVE AUCTION TO BE HELD AT TRANSWORLD

2008-02-22T07:35:00.000-08:00

This year, IAHA annual Live Auction will be held on Monday, March 17, 2008 from 3:30 pm to 4:45 pm.

Pre-registration for the Auction is required. You can register at the IAHA Booth, #8620, where you will be issued an auction number. We will accept registrations Sunday & Monday until 3:00 pm. Please have ID.

I.A.H.A. Vendor Scavenger Hunt to Be Held at Transworld

2008-02-22T07:28:00.000-08:00

The International Association of Haunted Attractions will be sponsoring a member only scavenger haunt at Transworld’s Haunt Show in Las Vegas.

Each member must pick up a scavenger hunt score card from the I.A.H.A. Booth (Number 8620) on the show floor.

It is easy to win: Just visit each I.A.H.A. MEMBER VENDOR BOOTH and have your scorecard endorsed by the booth staff and you are on your way to winning one of three great prizes!

To qualify you must have your scorecard endorsed by all IAHA vendors exhibiting at Transworld. Completed score cards must be returned to the I.A.H.A. booth by 3:00pm, Monday March 17, 2008.

The winning scorecards will be pulled during the I.A.H.A. Live Auction which will be held on Monday, March 17 at 3:30 pm. You must be present at the auction to win.

This is a great way for you to meet all of the I.A.H.A. VENDORS

Last year we gave away a great Zombie donated by Gore Galore, who knows what is in store for this year.

Shipping of any item WON is the responsibility of the winner.

Remember, you have to play to win!

Fourteen Running for Nine Board Positions

2008-02-22T07:21:00.001-08:00

The Nominations Committee, consisting of Chair Bill Criscione and members Jody Bossert, D’Ann Dagen, Dan Faupel, Jessica Sammis, Barry Schieferstein and Randy Young met Tuesday 2/19. We are happy to announce we have 14 qualified individuals running for 9 open board positions this year.

The Nominations Committee recommends the following candidates to be voted upon for the upcoming elections:

Lore Callahan, Ken Donat, Dan Hall, Denise Larson Kivett, Patrick Konopelski, Mike “Tattoo” Krausert, Kevin McIntyre, Henry Miller, Deanna Roberts Morton, Chad Savage, Jim Smith, Bobbie Wiener, Jay Wright, Randy Young

Ballots will be mailed in early March to all those eligible to vote. Voting instructions along with each candidate’s bio will be included in the mailing. Per our by-laws the candidates must receive a simple majority of all votes cast and will serve a 2-year term.

CASKET BASKET SILENT AUCTION to be held at Transworld

2008-02-01T09:23:00.000-08:00

At the 13th Annual Transworld Haunt & Attractions Show, IAHA will once again present a “Casket Basket” Silent Auction with potential baskets containing anything from gruesome props to prize-winning wine donated by haunt attractions.

This is your opportunity to showcase your talent, products, skills, or just a great way to have fun while showing your support of the International Association of Haunted Attractions (IAHA). All proceeds from this event will support the efforts of IAHA.
In the past, the entries have been incredible and those participating in the Casket Basket Silent Auction were able to also contribute to IAHA and walk away from the show with some great merchandise or artwork for a deal! Some of the past entries included the following:

Cash Kit Basket – Bad Boy Scenic Design, Mike “Tattoo” Krausert
Wicked Treasure Chest & Spooky Audio – Something Wicked Productions, Ed Gannon
Midwest Haunters Convention & The Bone Zone - Midwest Haunters Convention
Juice Goes to the Movies – Jim Smith, IAHA Treasurer
Kitchen Witch – Marty Smith & Gerrie Wisniewski
Ghouls Gone Wild - Marty Smith & Gerrie Wisniewski
Niles Haunted House Scream Park - Niles Haunted House
Gothic Pamper Basket – Deanna Roberts-Morton
Transworld Bliss – Nightmares 4 U, Tim Gavinski
Gargoyle Head – Creative Visions
Casket Gas Grill – Woods of Terror, Eddie McLaurin
Netherworld Bag O’ Fear – Netherworld
Skullz R Us – Ghouls Gulch Productions, Michael Bizub
Alchemy Vodka Basket – Terror Behind the Walls, Eastern State Penitentiary

Stop by the IAHA Booth, number 8620, to drop off your ghoulish creations, no later than 9 am on Monday, March 17th 2007.

Individuals interested in viewing and placing bids on the Casket Baskets can do so throughout the show on Monday, March 17th. Bidding will end one hour prior to show ending, so winners can pay & collect their baskets. Unclaimed baskets will either go to the next winning bidder, or will go into the IAHA Live Auction.
Baskets will be judged by a secret panel & awards for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place winners, will be given. The list of criteria is numerous, & ranges from Theme, Uniqueness of contents, Overall look, and many more. Another award for Most Money Raised is awarded to that Casket Baskets generous sponsor. Awards will be announced at the IAHA Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet.

Anyone interested in contributing to the Casket Basket Silent Auction, please contact Kelly Allen at info@EurekaScreams.com, no later than Friday, March 7th to ensure space availability for all Casket Basket contributions.

Details Announced for IAHA/Trans World Haunted Attraction Industry Awards Banquet

2008-01-31T10:55:00.000-08:00

You asked for it, you got it! This will be bigger than the “Crown Plaza Party”

Introducing The First Annual IAHA/Trans World Haunted Attraction Industry Awards Banquet.

The International Association of Haunted Attractions (I.A.H.A), together with Trans World Exhibits is proud to present the haunted attraction industry’s first and only Industry Banquet and Awards Ceremony.

SAVE THE DATE! The event will be held in conjunction with the Haunt & Attractions Show in Las Vegas, NV on the evening of Monday, March 17, 2008. The festivities begin at 5:00 at the closing of the show floor.

WHERE: The Sands Expo Center, Rooms 206 & 207.

PRICING: Admission is free for all. IAHA members will receive one free buffet meal and additional meals can be purchased online at www.IAHAweb.com. Pricing for additional meals for members is $25.00 and $35.00 for non-members. The event will feature a cash bar.

REGISTRATION: To RSVP go to www.IAHAweb.com. by March 7th.

You will hear about the year in review as well as the exciting programs we are working on for our industry. Learn how you can become nominated and be honored at next year’s banquet. So come out and party with old friends and make new ones while honoring some of our industry leaders!

IAHA Announces Seminars and Speakers for C.H.A.O.S. Safety Program

2008-01-31T10:16:00.000-08:00

C.H.A.O.S.
Room 105/106
Sands Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada
Saturday, March 15, 2008, 9:30 am to 5:30 pm

Schedule:

9:30 Introduction: Timothy Gavinski, IAHA President

9:35 C.H.A.O.S. Overview: Brett Bertolino, IAHA Director

9:45 Training of Actors and Support Staff: Kelly Collins, Terror Park

10:45 Haunted Attractions - Installation, Maintenance and Operation: John
Hawkins & Joe Whitcher, Oak Island Productions

12:25 Break, Lunch will be provided in room

12:45 Loss Control issues for Haunted House: Mike Beckman, Beckman Insurance

1:30 Fire & Panic In Haunted Houses: Phil Slaggert, M.M.S.I.

2:30 Pneumatic Prop Maintenance and Safety, Mark McDonough, Creative
Visions

3:25 Break

3:35 Code Compliance - Life Safety 101: Randy Bates, Bates Motel

5:40 pm Certification Test (optional)

Seminar Descriptions

Training of Actors and Support Staff – Presentation Length: 1 hour
Actors and support staff play a critical role in the event of an emergency. Are they prepared to deal with unruly patrons, lost children inappropriate behaviors, first aid and guest complaints? Can they perform efficiently in an emergency? This presentation will explore the in’s and out’s of actor and support training for haunted attractions.

Loss Control issues for Haunted House - Presentation Length: 1 hour
This presentation will explore the various factors underwriters use when rating haunted attractions risks. Knowledge of what the underwriters require is a vital part of an overall risk reduction strategy for your haunted attraction.

Fire & Panic In Haunted Houses - Presentation Length: 1 hour
A historical look at the origins of NFPA 101 “The Lifesaving Code.” This presentation uses actual case studies to underscore the importance of NFPA 1010 in an overall risk reduction strategy for haunted houses, mazes and other attractions that can be classified as “Special Amusement Buildings.”

Haunted Attractions - Installation, Maintenance and Operation - Presentation Length: 2 hours
This presentation will discuss proper installation, theming, creative design, maintenance and operation of seasonal, temporary and permanent haunted houses, mazes and other walk-through attractions. The seminar will discuss how to make elements of your attraction safe yet very impactful. It will cover many basic "must have" attraction elements that will keep your attraction safe and within code. Emphasis will be placed on the unique creative and logistical challenges operators face in the day-to-day operation of these types of attractions... and how these challenges can be minimized through design principles and use of proper materials. NFPA 101 Lifesaving Code will be discussed.

Pneumatic Prop Maintenance and Safety - Presentation Length: 1 hour
A common sense approach to safely maintaining, operating and inspecting pneumatic effects used in haunted attractions, outdoor walkthroughs and hay rides.

Code Compliance - Life Safety 101 - Presentation Length: 2 hours
How do the codes and standards impact your overall risk reduction strategy for your haunted attraction. This presentation will focus on all aspects of NFPA 101 Lifesaving code, NFPA 701, NFPA 10, and other codes that impact the overall safety of your attraction.

Seminars and speakers subject to change without notice.

IAHA Members to Receive FREE Admission to Masquerade Party Midwest Haunters Convention

2008-01-31T10:09:00.000-08:00

All members of the International Association of Haunted Attractions will receive free admission to the Saturday night masquerade party at this year's Midwest Haunters Convention in June.

About the Midwest Haunters Convention:

The Midwest Haunters Convention is a weekend event planned for Haunted
Attraction Producers, Actors, and Home Haunters taking place June
12-15, 2008. Our goal is to provide you with educational seminars and
workshops with experienced presenters, a 75+ vendor tradeshow with the
latest in haunt offerings, and place to network with others in the
industry during our fun social activities. If you are involved in a
haunted house in any way then MHC is the place to be! Please visit
www.midwesthauntersconvention.com for all of the details.

Bloody Mary Monster Makeup Wars to Give Away Seven Day Cruise as Top Prize at MHC

2008-01-31T09:58:00.000-08:00

The Bloody Mary Monster Makeup Wars contest will be Saturday, June 14th starting at 4:30 pm during the Midwest Haunters Convention. The Grand Prize will be a Cruise for two on the Bloody Mary & Crazy Bob Haunted Moonlight Fantasy Cruise. The cruise is for 7 days, leaving out of Galveston TX Jan 25-Feb 1st on the Carnival Ship, Conquest, Cruising to the Western Caribbean stopping off at Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. The cruise is valued over $1,100.

Five teams of three (2 makeup artists and a model) will have 30 minutes to create a monster from the neck up, using only the items supplied by Bloody Mary and the Midwest Haunters Convention. They will include basic make-up supplies, along with various special effects and some “out of the ordinary” items.

This will be the 5th year for the Bloody Mary Monster Makeup Wars competition and we are expecting an awesome competition. Log on to www.midwesthauntersconvention.com for additional information and to register for this truly unique competition.

I.A.H.A. Announces Pricing and Registration for C.H.A.O.S.

2008-01-20T13:37:00.000-08:00

The International Association of Haunted Attractions (I.A.H.A), together with Mobile Midway Safety Institute (MMSI), is proud to offer the haunted attraction industry’s first and only voluntary national safety certification program. The Certified Haunted Attraction Operator Seminar program (C.H.A.O.S.) consists of eight hours of safety training provided by professional speakers with a background in amusement safety and loss control inspection. At the conclusion of the training program, attendees will have the opportunity to take a certification test. Upon successful completion of the training & test, attendees will be issued a certification certificate as a Certified Haunted Attraction Operator Seminar graduate (C.H.A.O.S.).

C.H.A.O.S. is an ongoing safety education program. Topics scheduled to be covered in this year’s seminars include*: Fire & Panic in Haunted Houses and Attractions, Code Compliance – Life Safety 101, the Operation and Inspection of Seasonal, Temporary and Permanent Haunted Houses and Outdoor Walkthroughs, Loss Control Issues for Haunted Attractions, Pneumatic Prop Maintenance and Safety, and Safety Training for Actors and Support Staff. Additional topics will be included in future installments of C.H.A.O.S.

* Topics covered may vary slightly depending upon the location of the seminars.

Schedule

The C.H.A.O.S. program will be held in conjunction with several haunted attraction industry tradeshows in 2008:

Saturday, March 15, 2008 in Las Vegas, NV (9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.)
Immediately preceding TransWorld's Haunt & Attractions Show
March 16-19, 2008

Friday, June 13, 2008 in Columbus, OH (9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.)
Immediately preceding Midwest Haunters Convention
June 13-15, 2008

Pricing

IAHA Members: $85, including lunch

Non-IAHA Members: $105, including lunch

There is also a $50 fee ($60 for non-members) if you wish to take the certification test. This fee can be paid by check at the seminar.

Registration
Register Online: http://www.iahaweb.com/event_registration.html

The Crowd Controller and StancionWorld.com Join IAHA Vendor Discount Program

2008-01-17T13:47:00.000-08:00

By Dan Faupel, IAHA Vendor Committee Chairman

All Haunted Attractions have a need for stancions and other related crowd control products.

I'd like to announce our two newest participants in the IAHA Vendor Discount Program...The Crowd Controller and StancionWorld.com.

Brouse their websites and you'll find they have some incredible prices...such as plastic stancions starting as low as $11!

The Crowd Controller, Inc.

327 80th Ave NE
St Petersburg, FL 33702
Phone: 800-998-8598
Email: sales@thecrowdcontroller.com
Website: www.thecrowdcontroller.com

Write in the comments section when ordering that you are an IAHA member and receive a 3% discount on all orders. TheCrowdController.com is a leading distributor of crowd control equipment including retractable belt Stanchions – Tensabarrier and classic Post & Rope Stanchions.

StanchionWorld.com
10460 Roosevelt Blvd. N. Suite 253
St. Petersburg, FL 33716
800-801-7691
Email: sales@stanchionworld.com
Website: www.stanchionworld.com

StanchionWorld.com sells Crowd Control Stanchions and Ropes to amusement parks, museums, churches, schools, hotels, banks and etc. Please write in the comments section when ordering that you are an IAHA member and receive a 3% discount on all orders.

IAHA Vendor Discount Program Continues to Grow

2008-01-14T13:53:00.000-08:00

By Dan Faupel, IAHA Vendor Committee Chair

The amount of interest in IAHA's Vendor discount Program lately has been overwhelming!

Ed Douglas of Midnight Syndicate recently became an IAHA member, and also signed up for the VDP, along with two other new participants: SpookywoodsFX and Halloween Scream.

I hope all members take advantage of our expansive line-up of discounts!

The three new participants are listed below.

Dan Faupel
Vice President
Creative Visions
www.CreativeVisionsOnline.com
IAHA Director
Chairman IAHA Vendor Committee

Midnight Syndicate Soundtracks

Sarah Mann
11510 Boxwood Circle
Chardon, Ohio 44024
www.MidnightSyndicate.com
Sarah@midnightsyndicate.com

Midnight Syndicate offers all IAHA Members exclusively a 5% discount off any order of $100 or more.

SpookywoodsFX

Tony Wohlgemuth
1615 Kersey Valley Rd.
High Point, NC 27263
Phone: 336-517-2442
Email: Tony@spookywoods.com
Website: www.spookywoodsFX.com

Trade show special year round for IAHA Members only - $300.00 off retail pricing of our new full-body movie quality costumes.

Halloween Scream

Derek Cain
818 Bristol Pike
Bensalem, PA 19020
Phone: 800-699-2246
Email: dcain@HalloweenScream.com
Website: www.HalloweenScream.com

Halloween costumes, props, and much more! Halloween Scream is proud to offer all IAHA Members 10% off any order.