Business Environment
The haunt industry is a multi-billion dollar business with nearly 2,000 haunts open each year and over 12,000,000 customers attending those attractions. Throughout the year there are many conventions held all over the United States. This includes Midwest Haunters Convention (OH), National Haunters Convention (PA), Haunted Attraction National Trade-show and Conference (HAuNTcon; moves to a new city each year), Indy Haunt Fest (IN), West Coast Haunters Convention (OR), Canandian Haunters Convention (Canada), Halloween & Attractions Show (MO), and many others. These annual conventions feature props, seminars, workshops, parties, and haunt tours.
The haunt industry's first association, the International Association of Haunted Attractions (IAHA), started in 1998. The second was the Haunted House Association in 2008. In late 2010, both associations agreed to merge and form the Haunted Attraction Association. Other related groups are the Haunt Reviewers Association (HRA), Home Haunters Association, and the Halloween and Haunt Vendors Association (HHVA).
Many haunted attractions across the United States now feature high-quality animatronics and effects. It's not uncommon to come across towering monsters, movie-quality CGI, dynamic lighting, props that interact with customers, scent dispensers, intricate set pieces and figures, pneumatic props, or props that spray water or air.
The haunt industry now features its own industry trade magazines. These include Hauntworld Magazine, Haunted Attraction Magazine, 13th Hour Magazine and Fright Times Magazine. These magazines feature articles written by haunt owners, actors, tips and tricks, how-to guides, haunt showcases and other helpful articles. Most of these magazines release 2-4 issues per year and range in price from $20–$79 depending on the magazine.
The haunt industry is more popular than it has ever been and many TV stations have noticed. The Travel Channel, Discovery, Food Network, Animal Planet, Weather Channel, ABC and other stations have featured shows that highlight haunted attractions throughout the United States and have made the public more aware of the haunt industry.
Read more about this topic: Haunted Attraction
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