Here’s a list of this year’s (2013) Haunt Conventions across the country. Keep checking Scare Zone for further detailed updates and information. We’re only 1/2 a year from Haunt Season!
TransWorld’s National Halloween & Haunted Attractions Show
The haunted house industry’s own haunted house show will be held again in the America Center in St. Louis, Missouri on March 7-10. Prepare for three jam packed days of over 100,000 square feet of haunted house products, amusement products, seminars, education, and haunt tours through one of America’s best haunted houses “The Darkness“. This is THE MAIN event of the year if you own or operate a haunted attraction, amusement park or any sort of amusement facility The show floor will showcase over 100 vendors from the Halloween and Haunted House industry!
Held April 12-14 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Haunts from around Canada will visit this show to trade ideas, teach seminars and much more. The event includes a commercial trade show featuring exhibitors, as well as educational and general interest workshops, and many great social and networking opportunities for attendees.
April 12-14 in Burbank, Ca. This event is geared toward the horror film industry and fans. The convention focuses on “the art of monsters,” such as horror makeup, sculpture, and artwork. It’s a must-attend for anyone interested in horror makeup, art, and special effects. And of course, the presentations from horror makeup artists can be very useful for haunt actors and haunt makeup artists.
April 25-28 at the DFW Airport Sheraton in Dallas, TX . The Haunted Attraction tradeshow and Conference (HAuNTcon) is an convention “Designed by Haunters, for Haunters” and changes cities every year to allow participants to experience different haunts across the country. The show is set up for haunters of every age and level of experience. Four fun-filled days and nights filled with Educational Seminars, Workshops, Trade Show, Haunted garage Sale, Custom Hearse Show and networking socials like the incredible Costume Ball, who’s theme this year is The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Masquerade. Tours of more than 15 haunted houses will be available at this year’s show in ”America’s haunt capital”.
National Haunters Convention (Philadelphia, Pennslvania)
May 3-5 in Philadelphia, PA. This annual convention features a tradeshow floor, haunt tours, and seminars. The show leans more towards local enthusiasts and home haunters than professional haunted house owners. Because there are so many haunts in the area the show planners are able to offer tours through some of the best haunts in the nation.
May 24-26 in Orlando, FL. A Halloween, horror and haunted house extravaganza like nothing you’ve seen before, HALLOWEEN EXTREME grants unprecedented public access to movie- and theme park-quality props and effects, available for the first time at the consumer level. Home haunters and Halloween enthusiasts will now have the opportunity to obtain the very same items used by professional attractions and events the world over, allowing anyone and everyone to create a truly professional haunt experience. Co-produced by the twisted creative minds behind Netherworld Haunted House, this insanely unique event delivers three full days of EVERYTHING Halloween fanatics, haunters, and horror lovers could desire.
West Coast Haunters Convention
May 31-June 2 in Portland, OR. Haunters can gather to learn new tips and trade ideas. This year’s show is expanded and will be located in Portland Oregon this year at the DoubleTree hotel and expo center. On Friday June, 1 there will be a night haunt tour of the Four Horsemen Haunt at Delta Park.
May 31-June 2 in Petersburg, MI. Great Lakes FrightFest is an annual haunters get-together for home and pro haunters alike. Located at a campground in South East Michigan. Events include; show and tells, demos, make and takes, a pot luck dinner, raffle and door prizes, and events for the kids.
June 7-9 in Columbus, Ohio. Learn from many other haunted house owners, actors and more. The show somewhat leans towards the home haunts and enthusiasts more so than just the professional haunt owners; however, the show features a ton of vendors and events for both home and professional haunters. They’re also hosting two bus tours: An All Day Paranormal Bus Tour and An Evening Haunt Bus Tour.
June 8-9 at the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. This convention is in collusion with the Niagara Falls Comic Con at the Scotiabank Convention Centre (6815 Stanley Ave, Niagra Falls, Canada). It will be two days of frightful fun, special shocking events and accessible (and affordable!) celebrity interaction!
November 18-22. The IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions) show is the biggest amusement show on the entire planet held every year in Orlando. The show is over 750,000 square feet and offer over 1000 vendors. On average there are about 100 haunt related vendors to choose from. Additionally IAAPA has been producing haunted house seminars each year at their event.
