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Author: Brian

The Haunt Rater: How to Take Your Attraction From Good to Great with Robert Nulton

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:02 — 25.7MB)

Subscribe: Apple

In this podcast episode, we talk to Robert Nulton from The Haunt Rater about the elements that he feels makes up a great Haunted Attraction experience and how you can improve your show for next season.

The Haunt Rater

The Haunt Rater has been reviewing and walking through Haunted Houses since 2008. They’ve seen the small town haunts and the nationally recognized ones. They also offer haunt consulting and try to make the haunted attraction industry better through all of their services.

If you want to get these guys to help you improve your Haunt or just reach out and say hi, visit The Haunt Rater website here.

haunt rater

Robert has also starting working on the Haunter’s Association which is still in it’s infancy, but he is searching for like-minded individuals who want to build a community around doing haunted attractions the right way. You can contact Robert at the Haunter’s Association here.

Haunters Association

Keeping your Haunted Attraction fresh, safe, and entertaining are just a few things you need each year to provide your customers with a great experience. Getting another experienced Haunter’s point-of-view can help bring a new perspective to your venue, sometimes it takes someone from the outside looking in.

Thanks Robert for taking your time chatting with HaunTopic Radio!

And don’t forget we have our own Membership Community at the Haunter’s Toolbox where we host monthly live online workshops to help you continue to improve your Haunted Attraction.

The Haunter’s Toolbox: You can become a member for FREE here.

how to start a haunted house business

What to Expect at the West Coast Haunter’s Convention 2018 with Ed Roberts

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:22 — 39.7MB)

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In this podcast episode, we get Ed Roberts on to discuss what to expect at this year’s West Coast Haunter’s Convention in Portland, Oregon on April 13th through the 15th.

west coast haunters convention 2018

What: A haunters convention for all, whether you are a pro haunter, home haunter, or Halloween enthusiast. The West Coast Haunter’s Convention is a 501(c)3 organization that gives grants to professionals who work with children with hearing impairments and/or autism.

Where: Double Tree Hotel | 1000 NE Multnomah St. | Portland, Oregon 97232

When: April 13th – 15th, 2018

Website: https://hauntersconvention.com/

Contact: westcoasthauntcon@gmail.com

Thanks to Philip Hernandez from the Haunted Attraction Network, Dan Doble from Haunt Collective, and Ed Roberts from the WCHC for participating in this audio conversation.

haunters convention

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Vampfangs: Theatrical lenses, Fangs & Teeth, Makeup, and more with Benjamin Selecky

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 42:20 — 38.8MB)

Subscribe: Apple

In this podcast episode of HaunTopic, we get Benjamin Selecky on from Vampfangs to discuss:

  • How to Properly Wear Theatrical Lenses and Why You Need to Choose the Right Ones
  • Why wearing faux teeth can make your scare character come to life
  • The new vision he and his business partner, Alexis Abare, have for Vampfangs after their acquisition of the company.
  • Celebrate 25 years of Vampfangs! (discounts are on their website)
  • All of the products for Scare Actors and Haunters his company has to offer

re actor makeup

Vampfangs Celebrates 25 Years and Announces New Ownership

Vampfangs is excited to announce that after nearly a quarter century, the Salem-born online retailer has changed ownership. Though formally announced in this podcast, the company officially changed hands in July of 2017.

“We are thrilled about our recent acquisition,” commented Alexis Abare and Benjamin Selecky, CEOs of Vampfangs. “It is an honor to be at the helm of such a well respected and established brand. We are excited about engaging with Vampfangs followers and are eager to receive their feedback and input. We are looking forward to bringing the same commitment to quality and personal service to Vampfangs that are at the core of our other businesses.”

Vampire fangs-fake teeth-teeth veneers-monster teeth

“This sale marks one of the biggest milestones in my life. After 25 years, it feels like I sent a child off to college,” said Scott Smiledge, founder and former owner of Vampfangs. “I know that Vampfangs is in the best possible hands I could have ever hoped to find. Alexis and Ben are
great friends with incredible drive, fire, and vision.”

“We are passionate about delivering value to our clients and customers. Our purchase of Vampfangs has created monstrous synergy between all of our brands.” says Abare. “We are committed to creating a phenomenal experience for new and returning guests and are deeply grateful to our longstanding, loyal customers who have made Vampfangs a trusted, global brand.”

Plans for 2018 include expanding their selection of GOTHIKA® Theatrical Contact Lenses to include custom creations as well as toric lenses for patients with astigmatism. In addition to widening the corrective strength options on many popular styles, Vampfangs will also spearhead efforts to educate consumers on contact lens safety.

“Safety of our customers is paramount. We are in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and are proud to be one of the largest sources for FDA Cleared FX contacts in the United States.” commented Selecky.

Theatrical contact lenses

About Vampfangs

Founded in Salem, Massachusetts in 1993, Vampfangs is a leading online retailer of custom fit vampire fangs, GOTHIKA® contact lenses, fragrances, and apparel. They pride themselves on exceptional customer support and offering unique, personal products. Vampfangs is proud to serve the Halloween, cosplay, vampire, gothic, occult, haunted attraction, and makeup/special effects markets.

Vampfangs is a wholly owned subsidiary of Iron Raven, Inc. and has two sister companies; Haunted Farms of America ( farmhaunts.com ), a service provider and support community for farms that produce Haunted Attractions and Agritainment; and Dark Alchemy ( shopdarkalchemy.com ), a newly launched Occult Lifestyle & Apparel Brand.

For more information on Vampfangs, visit Vampfangs.com

Enter their contest at https://www.facebook.com/vampfangs/

Enter our contest at https://www.facebook.com/haunTopic/

Support our Kickstarter project at http://scareitbadges.com/kickstarter

Haunter’s Toolbox Exclusive: Start your Haunted Attraction Master Class Replay

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:16 — 36.9MB)

Subscribe: Apple

This is a 30 minute segment of our full training we hosted on https://www.haunterstoolbox.com “Start a Haunted Attraction without spending tons of money”

Starting up your first Haunted Attraction as a business can cost you a lot of money if you don’t know where to invest your hard earned cash. In this podcast episode, we give you our first 30 minutes of our hour and a half workshop we hosted on HOW and WHERE to spend your money so you can be successful each year.

start a haunted house

Many Haunted Attractions close their doors before they get the chance to grow like they should. You DO NOT need tons of money but you do need to know the important places to put your money.

Here is the outline on what we talked about in our live training session:

  • Where to spend your money in your first year open
  • Cheap design ideas to look professional
  • Material costs that will save you money
  • Cost-effective marketing ideas for your brand
  • Where to find scare actors and haunted house staff

To get this recorded training, become a HAUNT MASTER member at Haunter’s Toolbox.com.

Haunted house experts

To sign up for our next live workshop, Ask the Haunt Expert Master Class, CLICK HERE.

The HUGE HAuNTcon 2018 Episode

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:29:27 — 205.2MB)

Subscribe: Apple

About HAuNTcon
HAuNTcon, the leading event for starting and growing haunted attractions, is a trade-only event that brings industry professionals together each year. Owned by Urban Expositions, the event provides a platform for sourcing, learning, and networking. The next event will be held in New Orleans, January 25-27, 2019. For more information, visit hauntcon.com 

Our experience at HAuNTcon 2018 in New Orleans, LA

We could smell the cajun cuisine as we entered the heart of New Orleans. A bustling city full of ghost stories and a rich history dating back to 1718. Some parts of the landscape appear to be stuck in time due to the preservation of many of the buildings. Just like we had remembered…

We have been to New Orleans several times, the last time being 2014, but never to a Haunted Attraction convention. This trip was going to be a little different for me. I had to think about travel logistics to the convention center, schedules, first-time vendor stuff, entertaining my wife (who opts out of many things Haunt related), meeting up with friends, staying safe in the French Quarter, the various food options, and maintaining enough energy for the 12 hour road trip back to Missouri on Sunday.

 

how to start a haunted house business

 

Our expectations were exceeded in every way. It was easy to get to the convention with the Haunt Shuttle and the friendly Uber drivers. Once I found the check-in area and our vendor booth, the show floor was easy to navigate. The HAuNTcon management team were very organized and made sure we had everything we needed. The host hotel, Staybridge Suites, was located next to the Harrah’s Casino (which my wife appreciated) and there were plenty of quality eateries close by and free breakfast. And it seemed the French Quarter was much cleaner than last time we visited.

We also appreciated the over-the-top Costume Ball that had excellent finger foods, amazing entertainment & costumes, and FREE drinks until 11:00pm! This was the first year that the party was included with your general admission ticket. And those light-up ladies dancing on the stage!! WOW.

Granted, the HAuNTcon 2018 product and vendor area is only a fraction of the size of the Halloween & Party Expo area, HAuNTcon really shines when it comes to their educational workshops and demonstrations that focus on practical advice you can implement in any haunt. And it’s all included in the ticket. All-you-can-learn haunt education.

Overall we had a great experience at HAuNTcon 2018 and plan on going back next January 25-27, 2019. This was the first year that the event was produced by Urban Expositions and they plan on expanding the event next year. Now that they have their first year under their belt, they can listen to the feedback of the attendees and continue to make HAuNTcon a yearly stop on every Haunter’s list.

Here are the Haunters that we chatted with:

    • Nightmare Harvest
    • The Pumpkin Geek
    • Haunt Shirts
    • Scared of Your Shadow
    • Top Dog Halloween Madness
    • Woodley Special Effects
    • Haunted Attraction Network/Leadership Symposium
    • Gantom Lighting
    • Big Scary Show
    • Magic Wheelchair

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