5 Must-Dos at Transworld’s Halloween & Attractions Show 2024
TransWorld’s Halloween & Attractions Show 2024 is the premiere haunt industry trade show. For over four decades, it has been the place where haunt industry members gather to network, learn, and see the latest products and services from top vendors. In recent years this show has also been co-located with TransWorld’s Christmas Show and Interactive Entertainment Show. Although they may not seem to mix, these are two complimentary industries that have much to offer haunt owners & operators. With so many haunts offering year-round experiences, these shows are sure to inspire. The combined events features a show floor with over 450+ exhibitors, educational seminars & workshops, and a plethora of networking events and parties.
TransWorld’s Halloween & Attractions Show 2024 takes place March 7th – 10th at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
There is so much to see and do, it might be overwhelming to someone who hasn’t navigated it before. So, here is my list of 5 Must-Dos at Transworld’s Halloween & Attractions Show 2024.
#1 - Visit the Show Floor
From animatronics to costumes, masks to makeup, websites to tickets, there is much to explore. The 450+ exhibitors on the show floor are sure to have new and interesting products and services aimed at haunters of all levels. Make sure to plan out a good chunk of time to explore the aisles and shop industry-leading vendors.
Here are my tips to make the most of your visit:
- Plan your route in advance with the floorplan andexhibitor list.
- Bring a small bag to carry any brochures, catalogs, and rate sheets you collect from each booth.
- Check social media prior to the event to see what sorts of show promotions vendors may be offering. Some even extend their sales to online customers, allowing you to place your order early and avoid large in-person crowds at the booth.
- Be sure to shop at your preferred spots early – sometimes exhibitors can become fully booked prior to the end of the show!
Highlights
I hope that you can visit all the booths throughout the show floor. So many exhibitors have fantastic products & services and go all-out with their booth designs. Some highlights include:
- Froggy’s Fog (Booths 124, 522, 523, 623) – This past year they won the Best New Product Brass Ring Award at IAAPA for their Thanos A-1 Fog Blaster. Their high-powered fog machines are wonderful tools for haunts of every size. As a major sponsor of TransWorld’s Halloween & Attraction Show, their booth is always lively and filled with exciting products.
- Poison Props (Booths 123 & 227) – Head into the Dark Zone to see their scary animatronics in action. With eerie lighting and sound effects, you can truly get a sense of how these animatronics can look in a haunt environment.
- The Haunted Attraction Association (Booth 2023) – Protecting, promoting, and educating their worldwide network of haunted attractions, vendors, artists, and enthusiasts, the HAA is the premiere organization for haunters. They offer education, resources, networking opportunities, and more for their members. Stop by to meet with members of their board and learn more about how the group can help you to further your haunt goals. You can also become a member right at the show.
- Toxic FX (Booth 1003) – Offering professional quality masks and props, their booth is a must-see on my list for their rotten pumpkin props. New for this year is a line of “Ghost Pumpkins” – similar to their rotten pumpkins aesthetic, but with a ghostly white color.
- Inferno Effects (Booth 1131) – Extremely detailed and high quality, these masks and props from Inferno Effects are unique and durable. New products for this year’s event include the Niko line (Flesh, Rotten, Swamp, & Custom Variants), Werewolf (Grey, Brown, Black, & Custom Variants), and Cracked.
#2 - Learn from the Pros
TransWorld’s Halloween & Attractions expo offers a wide array of seminars and workshops. From safety to social media, design to scareacting, there are many options to help you perfect your craft and elevate your business practices. Be sure to take notes and don’t be aftraid to ask questions during any Q&A portions to get the most out of your experience.
Seminars are not included in general admission tickets, and must be purchased separately. Most classes are $65 ($55 early bird pricing through February 22nd). VIP Passes include 3 seminars of your choice (some exclusions apply) and the VIP & Unlimited Seminar Pass offers full access to most offerings (still some exclusions).
Check out the entire lineup of classes with descriptions & instructors on the official website.
Highlights
There are no bad options in their lineup of educational sessions. Depending on your job and passion within the industry, certain classes may be more relevant to you than others.
Here are some unique and particularly interesting options:
- The Haunted Attraction Association’s C.H.A.O.S. Fire & Safety Seminar (Thursday, March 7th at 9:30 a.m.)($20 for HAA Members, $75 for Non-Members) – Focusing on safety concerns, fire marshal issues, and proper methods of building a safe event, this is the premiere safety course for haunters. This class counts towards the 8-hour training requirement for the full HAA CHAOS Completion Certificate.
- Make Your Guest Experience Legendary! Delivering an Incredible Visitor Experience Every Time (Thursday, March 7th at 1:45 p.m.) – Amy Hollaman and Brett Bertolino of Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group will share their methods and tips on how to improve customer satisfaction and deliver exceptional customer experiences. Having attended her panels in the past, I can attest that Amy is an engaging and knowledgeable speaker, making the class fun in addition to educational!
- Foundations of Fear: Opening or Growing an Attraction in Today’s Fast-Paced Business World (Friday, March 8th at 11:15 a.m.) – Spencer Terry will discuss how to start your own professional haunt and how to grow it into a successful business. His track record at Fear Factory SLC and the knowledge he has acquired as President of the Haunted Attraction Association lead me to believe this class will be an asset to those entering the business or ready to take the next steps to grow their haunt.
- Critical Emerging Trends In The Haunted Attraction Industry (Saturday, March 9th at 2:00 p.m.) – This panel discussion with Chris Stafford (Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group), TJ Mannarino (Universal Orlando) and Ben Armstrong (Netherworld Haunted House) will look at what opportunities and challenges may arise in the 2024 Halloween season.
#3 - Attend the HAA Industry Events
Aside from their educational seminar/workshop options, the Haunted Attraction Association hosts two other events you won’t want to miss: The State of the Industry Presentation and The OSCARES. Both events are open to all attendees.
The State of the Industry
On Friday, March 8th at 10:00 a.m. the HAA Board members will host an open discussion about the 2023 haunt season and what trends they see for the 2024 season. They will also discuss the HAA’s new 3-Year Strategic Plan. This is a highly informative event with the opportunity to ask questions and share your own experiences. Whether you are a beginner or a veteran haunter, you are sure to get value out of this event.
The OSCARES
Taking place Saturday, March 9th at 5:00 p.m., the annual OSCARES recognizes the achievements of haunted attraction owners, vendors, and others who have excelled in the industry. The HAA rolls out the black carpet for an evening of networking, honors, and some good food & drinks. Come out to support the best in the industry and celebrate those who contribute to the enduring success of haunts around the country.
Award Categories Include:
- Vendor Excellence Awards
- Board of Directors Awards
- Special Recognition
- Home Haunt Award
- Life Time Achievement Award
Obviously, nominations are closed for this year’s event, but the HAA is already accepting nominations for the 2025 awards.
#4 - Party the Night Away
The TransWorld Halloween Party is the place to dance, drink, and mingle with friends both old and new.
DJ Psych Jam from Basement of the Dead will play a killer mix of exciting tracks as haunters from around the world celebrate another successful show. I am a huge fan of the appetizers and dessert, and those with more of a sophisticated pallet will enjoy the cash bar.
This year’s theme is Día de Los Muertos. Costumes and creative attire are allowed and encouraged, but not required. You won’t want to miss the intricate and imaginative costumes your fellow haunters create!
#5 - Network, Network, Network
I’ve saved the most-important thing to do at TransWorld’s Halloween & Party Expo for last: Network!
Haunters come to TrasWorld from around the globe. You can learn so much by taking the time to meet your peers in this professional-but-relaxed environment. Ask a haunter from another state about their experience in their market area, share advice with a newbie, and just connect with other haunters. As my favorite podcaster/ themed entertainment professional, Scott Swenson, often says, “when the tide comes in all ships rise.” If we band together and support one another, the whole industry will benefit. Personal connections are paramount.
Highlights
TransWorld offers a miriad of opportunities to mix and mingle. View the full list on TransWorld’s official website, but here are a few of my favorites (Separate Tickets Required):
- TransWorld’s Networking Night Out! (Wednesday, March 6th at 7:30 p.m.) ($75 Advance, $95 On-Site)- Kick off your event with this fun and relaxed social. The event will feature productive roundtables focused on specific topics within the Haunt, Interactive Entertainment, and Christmas industries.
- City Museum Party (Thursday, March 7th at 7:00 p.m.)($60 Advance, $75 On-Site) – Get to experience this weird and wonderful venue without the crowds. During the private party, TransWorld Attendees can explore the museum, dance to tune from DJ Psych Jam from Basement of the Dead, eat, and purchase drinks from multiple cash bars throughout the venue. It is a wild and crazy evening!
- Interactive Entertainment Game: Dusk ’til Dawn, A Zombie Showdown Challenge (Friday, March 8th at 8:00 p.m.) ($45 Advance, $60 On-Site) – Work as a team to defend against the zombie horde in this intense game of teamwork and strategy. What better way to get to know some new friends?
Have Fun at TransWorld's Halloween & Attractions Show 2024!
Ultimately, there is no “right way” or “wrong way” to do TransWorld’s Halloween & Attractions Show 2024. Planning ahead can help to maximize the number of things you see and do (and often save a little money with the pre-sale pricing), but also be sure to be open to all the exciting experiences that pop up along the way. With a gigantic show floor, lots of educational seminars, and a plethora of after-hours events, there is no way to see everything this show has to offer in one trip.
Just have fun – I’ll see you there!
Check out one of my adventures from TransWorld’s Halloween & Attractions Show 2023:
5 Must-Dos at Transworld’s Halloween & Attractions Show 2024
TransWorld’s Halloween & Attractions Show 2024 is the premiere haunt industry trade show. For over four decades, it has been the place where haunt industry members gather to network, learn,
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