HaunTopic Radio: Haunted Attractions | Haunted Houses | Halloween | Haunters

What's it really like to open and operate a Haunted Attraction business? Can your dream really come true? Can you do it by yourself? We answer all of your questions in this Master Class with Conner Beets from Imminent Doom Haunted House. Conner, a lifetime Haunt enthusiast, started and operated his first commercial haunted attraction this year (2025). At the age of 20 years old!   Conner's 5 Top Tips for starting a brand-new haunt are…   1. Build outside city limits if possible! If you happen to be in the city limits… be in CONSTANT communication with your local Fire Marshall and don't try to fight them on codes. Believe me… You will not win that battle lol!   2. Invest Wisely! As cool as some of those massive props are at TransWorld… the quality often isn't what it is at the show when you receive your copy. When at a show, be sure to thoroughly inspect a prop to make sure it is built to last and will be a worthwhile investment for your show!   3. Train your actors!!! As cool as your sets and props may be, your guests only want one thing… to be terrified!!! You can have the most beautiful and high-tech animatronics known to man. Still, if you don't hold your actors to a standard and train them how to scare, develop characters, and pace themselves properly… your show will definitely suffer!   4. Work with and collaborate with your other local haunted attractions! We did a huge project this year called The Frightful Four of East Texas, featuring four local haunts, and it absolutely blew up into a huge deal! You can learn a lot from working with fellow industry experts from your area, and since you are all near each other… There is room for everyone to succeed by working together to drive more guests to your area around October!   5. Stay Humble! I cannot stress this one enough! Don't be a giant Douche for lack of a better word! Your show is not the best thing in the world, despite what you may think, and you will always have to work to improve your show year after year! Also, don't be afraid to ask for help. I haven't seen many haunts that absolutely one person builds, so I'm definitely willing to work with others!

In this episode, we remember our friend and fellow Haunter, Jan Knuth. The Haunt world lost a good one. R.I.P. Jan Skaggs Knuth She was always a kind soul, loved Haunting, was an admin for this group, & even thought about me enough to include my opinion in her book "Not Afraid to Slay: Women of the Haunt Industry".   You will be missed…   Here is part of her obituary: "A memorial service for Janet L. Knuth will be held on November 20, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska, with Pastor Darren Theesen officiating.   Janet Leigh "Jan" (Skaggs) Knuth, 60 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer at Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege. Jan was born in Holdrege, Nebraska, on January 14, 1965, the second of three children, born to Wes and Monica (Valentine) Skaggs. She received her education from Holdrege Public Schools and graduated with the class of 1983. She pursued higher education and received a degree as a Physical Therapy Assistant from Colby Community College in Colby, Kansas.   Following her education for over 20 years, Jan worked as a Physical Therapy Assistant, starting in Holdrege at Holdrege Physical Therapy, and continued working across the state for Tabitha Home Health. Jan had a love for Halloween and scaring others since she was a little girl. She started a yard haunt at their residence, after a few years, it had grown so much that she bought a house to expand her vision and started Gray House Haunts. Jan also authored her own haunt book, Not Afraid to Slay, Women Of The Haunt Industry.   On November 12, 2005, Jan was united in marriage to Steven Knuth at the First Baptist Church in Holdrege. The couple made their home in Holdrege.   Jan enjoyed spending time at Johnson Lake and nurturing a beautiful garden. Her passion for animal welfare across the state, particularly for dogs, was inspiring. She was committed to providing a loving home to the most vulnerable dogs from shelters, and she was an asset on the board for the Holdrege Animal Rescue.   Jan's love and devotion to her family and friends were equally unwavering, and she consistently demonstrated kindness and generosity to those around her. Her laughter was infectious, and her kind-heartedness and loyalty were truly remarkable. Jan had no tolerance for injustice, and she was always a voice for the voiceless."

Join the guys behind Midnight Syndicate, Edward Douglas & Gavin Goszka!  We ask them questions like: How to create your own haunt music? What inspires them to make music? Sound tips and tricks? Plus, we play the first 3 tracks from their NEW album Darkened Corners. Midnight Syndicate is an American musical duo known for creating dark, atmospheric, and gothic-themed instrumental music. Their tunes and ambient sounds are used in themed attractions worldwide. Since 1997, composers Edward Douglas and Gavin Goszka have produced what they call "soundtracks for the imagination," blending orchestral scores with sound effects to evoke a sense of horror, mystery, and fantasy.  Find their music: https://www.midnightsyndicate.com/ Start or grow your haunted attraction: https://www.haunterstoolbox.com/ Get Haunt Badges for your crew: https://scareitbadges.com Join the Haunter's Toolbox Facebook group to attend events like these: https://www.facebook.com/groups/haunterstoolbox/

Join us as we discuss the Total Terror Haunt with Chip Wells in Virginia. Going from a home haunter to a commercial haunted attraction Create your own props with papier-mache How to operate and grow a haunted attraction How to manage your haunt crew and lots more...   Start and grow your Haunted Attraction at HauntersToolbox.com   Stalk Total Terror at TotalTerrorHaunt.com   Reward your scare actors and staff with merit badges from ScareItBadges.com   Learn more about these attractions inside this podcast:   EXORCYSM Nestled at the end of a desolate road, the old manor stands as a testament to time's cruel passage. Its once grand facade now slowly crumbles, with ivy creeping up its walls like skeletal fingers. The windows, shattered and grimy, seem to watch with a malevolent gaze. Father O'Malley, a priest known for his unwavering faith and courage, had heard the whispers of the manor's dark history. Desperate to rid the town of its lingering evil, he enliststhe help of a team of seasoned ghost hunters. Armed with their equipment and steely resolve, they approached the manor under the cover of night. Join the team on the investigation and discover the true horror that dwells in the old manor.   FELDGEISTER As twilight descended, the corn maze loomed ominously against the darkening sky. The stalks, tall and dense, whispered secrets carried by the wind. The entrance, marked by an ancient wooden archway, beckoned with an eerie glow. Visitors to the maze were warned of its sinister reputation, but curiosity often outweighed caution. Tonight, the maze was alive with the presence of monsters from German folklore, each more terrifying than the last.

Sammy Days & David Gricius are the Scare Actor Trainers and Scare Actors at Fright Nights in Southern Florida. Join us as we pick their brains... Learn how to recruit scare actors Learn how to train scare actors Learn how to manage scare actors Fright Nights is an annual Halloween event that occurs at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach, Florida. Open through the beginning of October through Halloween, the event features multiple haunted houses, "scare zones," midway rides, food vendors, games, and live entertainment. Stalk Fright Nights at https://www.southfloridafair.com/p/fright-nights  Start and grow your Haunted Attraction at https://www.haunterstoolbox.com/ Reward, recognize, and retain your actors with https://scareitbadges.com/  

Halloween Hollow Haunted House in Silver Point, TN, Has Everyone Screaming From Nashville to Knoxville, Tennessee, With Its Massive Outdoor Halloween Event! We answer your questions to the owners, Carroll Lee Moore III and Erica McElroy, as we discuss what it takes to own and operate the most unique haunted attraction in Tennessee. Start and grow your haunted attraction at HauntersToolbox.com Stalk the Halloween Hollow at HalloweenHollowHaunt.com Reward, recognize, and retain your scare actors and staff at ScareItBadges.com

Eddie McLaurin is the creator and owner of the Woods of Terror haunted attraction in Greensboro, North Carolina. Here's a brief overview of his story: Family Legacy: The Woods of Terror sits on land that has been in McLaurin's family for generations, dating back to his great-grandfather, Simon Peter "Pa Pete" McCormick. Inspired by the Land: McLaurin was inspired to create the haunted attraction by the 26 graves on the family property that scared him as a child. Year-Round Commitment: He treats the Woods of Terror as a full-time job, dedicating himself to its year-round operation and improvement. Bone Daddy Persona: During the operating season, McLaurin takes on the persona of "Bone Daddy," leading parades and interacting with guests in makeup and costume, including a live snake. Community Engagement: He is known for engaging with his customers and giving back to the community, including supporting local businesses and charitable causes. Building a Haunted Kingdom: McLaurin is credited with building Woods of Terror into a highly-respected haunted attraction, creating a unique and immersive experience for visitors. Dedication and Hard Work: His success is attributed to his strong work ethic and commitment to his vision for Woods of Terror. Check out Woods of Terror here: https://woodsofterror.com/ Become a Haunter's Toolbox member: https://www.haunterstoolbox.com/  

Ask the Haunt Expert: Bart Butler from Terror in the Corn Hosted by HauntersToolbox.com   Bart Butler is the show director for Terror in the Corn in Eerie, Colorado. Bart answers all of your haunted attraction-related questions.   We'll discuss: -Scare Acting management -Scenic design & construction -Character Development -Getting more people to your Haunt -and ALL of your questions!   Stalk Bart Butler at Terrorinthecorn.com   Don't forget your ScareItBadges.com

Vendor Spotlight: Haunt Dolls/Conjured Media Hosted by HauntersToolbox.com   Before Haunt Dolls was even a thought, Alex Berland, who also runs Conjured Media, a marketing agency that specializes in haunted attractions, would get crochet dolls as holiday gifts for his clients of the characters his team would create with them.   The dolls were so well received and cherished that in 2024 it became obvious that the next step would be to launch a project dedicated to making pieces that the public could get their hands on yet still be something special they could display proudly.   Haunt Dolls is an art project that merges the worlds of creepy and cute together, bringing limited edition collectables to life in yarn. A Haunt Dolls collectable is a physical manifestation of an artist's unique vision that you can proudly interact with and display.   Check out Haunt Dolls: HauntDolls.com Market your Attraction: https://conjured.media/

Matthew Murphey is a Haunter and a trial attorney. Matt has worked in courtrooms since starting his legal career as a court-martial clerk in the United States Army in 1985. He also knows Haunted Attraction's legal roadblocks. We'll discuss: -Protecting yourself from legal battles -How to start a non-profit attraction -Employee contracts & applications -Waivers: Good or bad? -How to deal with local codes & laws -Insurance & Liability -Legal guidelines around your brand -Do you own your characters? -Advice for Home Haunters & HOAs Matt has tried cases to juries in three states and five federal districts as counsel. Matt's background in science coupled with his trial experience with prosecution agencies allowed him to transfer his trial skills to private practice fifteen years ago to complex patent and other intellectual property, financial institutions, and commercial litigation cases. Start, grow, & scale your haunted attraction business at HauntersToolbox.com Find Matt at themurpheylawyers.com

Philip Hernandez, the founder of the Haunted Attraction Network and CEO of Gantom, answers all of your marketing questions. He has experience in social media, marketing, video & audio, theme parks, haunted attractions, public relations, press releases, and much more.   Find Philip at HauntedAttractionNetwork.com   Start and grow your haunted attraction at HauntersToolbox.com   Reward, Retain, and Recognize your haunt staff with ScareItBadges.com

Scott and Jewel Simonson answer all of your questions about creating killer videos and photos at your haunt, marketing on a budget, retaining your actors, haunt technology, and other questions you have about Haunted Attractions. "Haunting Media was founded by experienced haunted attraction owners, who, much like you, understand the intricacies and importance of delivering a truly detailed and immersive experience. As we carefully crafted our own haunted attraction, it became apparent that our photos and videos should mirror this attention to detail. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, Haunting Media ensures that our content creation services cater to your specific needs. Each member of our team is not only highly experienced in the haunting industry but also exceptionally creative. We understand that no two attractions are alike; therefore, we take great pride in tailoring our offerings to suit your unique vision." -HauntingMedia.com Start or grow your haunted attraction at HauntersToolbox.com

Start, grow, and scale your Haunted Attraction at HauntersToolbox.com In this episode, we discuss many things like Scare Actors, Safety, Timed Ticketing, Wall panels, Haunt Construction, Tent Haunts, Outdoor Trails, International Haunts, and more! Leonard Pickel has over 50 years of themed attraction design and operations experience in year-round and seasonal installations, museums, and dark rides. Creating more than 300 original and innovative dark-themed attractions for major venues worldwide.  A few of Leonard's accomplishments: -1987: created the industry's first turn-key Haunted House "˜kits" and the first adaptation of the "Field Theory" for Haunted Attractions (The Triangular Grid System) -1993 to 2000: Applied his October seasonal experience toward a summer seasonal haunted house with Mayhem Manor® in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. -1994 to 2009: Co-founded Haunted Attraction Magazine, the premier publication for the dark amusement industry. -1997: Formed the Haunted Industry's first trade association, the International Association of Haunted Attractions (IAHA). -2004 to 2017: Launched the first national convention devoted solely to the Haunted Attraction Industry. The Haunted Attraction National Tradeshow and Convention (HAuNTcon®) -2009: Awarded a lifetime achievement award from the International Association of Haunted Attractions and was honored with a question using his name in the Millennium Edition of Trivial Pursuit. -2009: Appeared as an industry expert in several television programs including the Travel Channel special about Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida and America's Best Haunted Houses. -1976 to present: Constantly searching for new challenges and striving for new heights in his Haunting career, Leonard has 40-plus years of experience designing all types of commercial Attractions. Contact Leonard Pickel at Hauntrepreneurs.com

Start and grow your Haunted Attraction at HauntersToolbox.com Get Merit Badges and Name badges for your crew at ScareItBadges.com 2024 is over! What's in store for 2025?? We discuss many subjects in this episode. Topics like: Should you sell alcohol at your haunt? How to get free marketing Campfire rentals and selling S'Mores Concessions and merchandise sales Corn Maze Haunts Transworld Show preparations and a crap ton more Haunt Talk! Don't be a scrooge...turn up that volume and share us with your entire crew! But don't wake the ghosts...

It stinks that we don't get to travel during October to visit haunted attractions because most of us are busy with our haunt businesses and projects.  Nick and Beverly Pappas have traveled thousands of miles yearly as Haunt customers and have seen things we haven't. Listen to their stories and get a peek at how Haunts are changing.  What are the trends coming for the industry? How do Haunts compare between now and then? Are you doing everything at your attraction to maximize your guest experience? Become a Haunter's Toolbox member at HauntersToolbox.com

HauntPay created the annual Haunt Industry Survey because they needed reliable, recent data about the haunt industry. This is the fourth annual report and haunters revealed some surprising insights for the coming season! Marketing efforts got more sophisticated and more robust this year, with haunters using digital and offline platforms to promote their attractions. Crowd sizes are growing modestly, but haunts remain an affordable activity compared with rising costs for other entertainment. And Haunters are using new strategies to manage the crowds on busy nights. In this podcast, you'll find insights like: how small or large is the average haunted attraction these days? How much are they charging for admission? Which social media apps are most popular? What are the biggest challenges haunt owners face? Thank you to all of you who responded to the 2024 survey! We quite literally couldn't do this without your help. Visit HauntPay.com for all of your ticketing needs. Visit HauntersToolbox.com for help starting & growing your haunt.

A complete walkthrough of the Sithon management platform for haunted attraction staff/actors, why communication with your team is important, and things you can do this season to keep your staff coming back every year!   Things Sithon can do (all from your phone): -Custom Actor Recruitment -Scheduling -Actor/Staff Management -Costume Management -Time Tracking -Email & Text Notifications -Dedicated Personnel Line -Background Checks -Attraction Studio -Staffing Metrics -Awards Tracking -On-Demand Reports   From Sithon.io : Recruit, manage and communicate with your actors and staff with Sithon. Developed by a veteran haunted attraction manager, Sithon is an easy-to-use platform that includes everything you need to make personnel management easier for you and your managers. Anytime. Anywhere   No selling on this webinar. Just solid information that will help you be stress-free this season.   Start and grow your haunted attraction business at HauntersToolbox.com

It's 30 minutes before the haunt doors open. You need a quick way to make some realistic wounds, cuts, and bruises that will stay on all night. We have those answers inside this podcast! You can also watch the full video here: https://haunterstoolbox.com/sfx Applying special effects makeup inside a haunted attraction is a unique skill. You have to be fast & efficient while creating a monster that the customers want to see. The best way to get started with special effects makeup is buy a few supplies then just start. Practice on yourself and watch your skills blossom as you learn along the way. Join these Master Classes at HauntersToolbox.com

There are a few ways to make more revenue with your attraction: 1) Raise your prices 2) Get more customers 3) Sell more to your current customers We will focus this master class on selling more to your current customers by using the space you already have. Things like themed dinners, private tours, and ticket upgrades allow you to charge more for unique experiences without needing extra space.  Shawn Lippert, the co-owner of Scarehouse Windsor, joins us to show how he increased the revenue at his attraction by adding interactive dinner experiences. We'll also share some various ways that you can earn more revenue at your Haunt this season. To get more monthly Master Classes like this one delivered to your inbox and take your Haunt to the next level; become a member at HauntersToolbox.com

How do I get more people to attend my Haunt? What does it take to stand out in today's market? Are there creative ways to grab attention without spending too much? We answer these questions and more in this Master Class with Laura Kilpatrick from FearWorm Hauntvertising. Become a member at HauntersToolbox.com to join our next Master Class. Start & grow your Haunt today! Visit FearWorm.com for your Haunt Advertising needs.