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Category: Podcasts

Podcasts from HaunTopic Radio, our monthly audio show all about Haunts, Haunted Attractions, and Halloween.

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

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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Haunt Stories from the Dead Factory and the Deadmonton Haunted House

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 57:24 — 52.6MB)

Subscribe: Apple

If you’re like us, you never get tired of stories from Haunt Season. We never get tired of talking about it. Here are the highlights from our experiences as Co-owner of the Dead Factory Haunted House (Brian Foreman) in Missouri and Manager of the Deadmonton Haunted House (Darryl Plunkie) in Canada.

Haunted House stories

Deadmonton Haunted House (Edmonton AB Canada)

“The first haunted house I’ve been to! Waited in line for a few hours but worth it! Actors walked around while we were in line to scare us, so awesome. The haunted house was so well done! Scared me so much, jumped so much, laughed so much. Well done!! So much fun! Well worth the price and the wait!!” –Kayla Bourgoin

“Wonderfully terrifying experience. Arrive early in the day to get a good place in line, unless you’re willing to dish for speed passes. Crazy amounts of imagination go into this 45 minute plus experience. Try not to rush through, but be forewarned. . Do not walk to slowly either :/” –Kristine Lynn Bowman

 

Dead Factory Haunted House (Mexico, Missouri)

“I’ve been through the super fancy haunted houses at Halloween Horror Nights in Universal Studios – Orlando, and The Dead Factory blew those big budget houses away.

The actors are superb, the scared are bone chilling, and you can feel the level of care that they put into their craft.

This will most definitely become an annual tradition. A huge thanks to everyone who made this entertainment possible.” –Charles Dallas Parrott

“We just got done going through the house and I am still shaking. I ran out of there as fast as I could and I am not going to have a voice tomorrow! So much fun! You can tell these guys love what they do! Awesome price awesome & people check it out!” –Claudia Holt

 

Listen to how we made it through Haunt Season here.

Get our podcasts & more Haunt goodies in your email.

 

HAuNTcon 2018-New Orleans

Visit Us at Booth 110 at HAuNTcon & use code HAUNTOPIC for a FREE Show Pass!

We’re going to HAuNTcon 2018 in New Orleans! Meet us there??

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:10 — 34.0MB)

Subscribe: Apple

Everything you need to know about the HAuNTcon: Haunted Attraction National Tradeshow and Convention and The Halloween & Party Expo in 2018. Located at New Orleans, Louisiana on January 12-15 . Well…almost everything.

 

HAuNTcon 2018

 

New Orleans…scary stuff….Haunters…costume ball…Haunt Tours…Haunt classes…oh and so much more!

In this podcast episode, we go behind the scenes of HAuNTcon 2018 with Liz Irving, the Vice President of Marketing and wearer of many hats behind the show.  We discuss new events for HAuNTcon, what’s included with each admission ticket, the new tours in New Orleans, and much more. Listen to this audio podcast by clicking here.

If you’ve never been to a HAuNTcon gathering, then this will be a great opportunity for yere.ou to visit the history of New Orleans and get your Haunt On during the show.

To see the complete lineup of events and pricing go here HAuNTcon.com. (Use code HAUNTOPIC to get a free show pass)

Overview of HAuNTcon 2018: a Haunt Show for all Haunters

  • 3 days of HAuNTcon education. Learn from the best in the haunt industry.
  • HAuNTcon and Halloween & Party Expo trade shows. So much ground to cover.
  • Show floor networking events. Meet new friends.
  • Live hands-on demonstrations. Get messy and learn.
  • Thursday pre-show inspiration tour. See the heart of New Orleans.
  • Friday Costume Ball. Party with other Halloween freaks like you.
  • Saturday night lights off tour at the Rise Haunted House
  • Sunday Garage Sale. Buy at huge discounts!
  • Monday advanced workshops. Dive deep into one topic.

-Come say Hi to us at Booth 110!-

 

This will be the second time that the crew of HaunTopic Radio will be together and we want you to join us at HAuNTcon this year. We will be in Booth 110 grabbing sound bytes from Haunters and any attendee that wants to say Hi. We will also be floating around the show floor capturing video and audio interviews from cool people like you.

What is HAuNTcon? (watch this video for your answer)

We hope to see you in New Orleans in January!

 

The Lost Audio Files of the TransWorld Halloween & Haunt Show

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:13:20 — 122.1MB)

Subscribe: Apple

The forgotten audio recordings of the Transworld Halloween & Attractions Show. We got so busy with Haunt Season that we almost forgot part 3 of our compilation from the Transworld Haunt Show. We’ve compiled the last remaining interviews and stories behind the Scares…just for you! And some Scary tunes too!!

 

Transworld Halloween & Attractions Show

What is the Transworld Halloween & Attractions Show?

Transworld is the largest trade show focused exclusively on Haunted Attractions, Corn Mazes, Escape Rooms, and Halloween.

With hundreds of supply vendors, how-to classes, live demonstrations, and networking parties to meet other passionate scary people like yourself. Their website is http://haashow.com

 

Who is on this special audio podcast from the TransWorld Haunt Show?

  • Haunters Against Hate
  • Scott Swenson Creative Development
  • McKamey Manor
  • Don’t Be a Monster
  • VFX Creates
  • Mad Monster Masks
  • Doomsday Haunt
  • Robot Costumes USA
  • Pale Night Productions
  • Missing Finger Productions
  • Little Jars of Horror
  • Sinister FX

 

Haunt Music played in this podcast:

  • “Building the Monster” -Midnight Syndicate
  • “Halloween Night” -Sam Haynes
  • “Dark Vesper” -Music for Haunts
  • “Grim Grinning Ghosts” -Haunted Mansion at Disney

 

Haunted Attraction Events coming up:

 

More good stuff from HaunTopic Radio:

 

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