Just wondering......

[Ken Spriggs]

Barry.........how many vendors do you have that have signed up for MHC this weekend?

I just remember a thread that says we need a buyers show.
If I am judging this right.......you have maybe more vendors than the actual haunt section at TW?

SOOOOO in theory....if TW splits the haunt show from the party side......
MHC would be a bigger show?
MHC would have more seminars?
MHC would be a place that haunters can be .... well haunters

[gadget-evilusions]

I count 84 on the vendor list, minus celebrities, and chairities, that leaves 81 vendors.

[BruiseMuse]

How many haunt vendors were at TW in Vegas?

[xxxdirk]

I agree, MWH is going to be THE haunt convention to go to. Transworld had a good thing but has decided they are not really interested in the haunt industry. Barry and his crew have put together a hell of a convention and are poised to take that next step. MHC has everything a haunt convention should have great seminars, a zillion vendors, haunt tours and a chance to socialize. As Larry has said, "we do not need another convention", so lets put our love & support to Columbus and Hauntcon!

[Jim Warfield]

That "Next Step" is always the tricky one, the one bio-documentaries never quite show us or explain.
How did a guy go from having one successful restaurant to having three to having 600?
But when will your convention begin selling fried chicken, Barry?
Top secret recipe he took to the grave with him, but we dug him up!

[drfrightner]

Ken,

Just FYI... Transworlds show last year was about 600,000 square feet. Additionally, there where about 150 booths inside the Haunt only section, and at least another 150 other haunt related vendors outside the haunt section. All told I'd say there was about 250 or so booths related to haunts at Transworld Vegas.

However, let me say if a Haunt only show was to happen I would peg the number of vendors that would attend to about 500 booths. There are a great many vendors who do not exhibit at shows for our industry because...

THEY DONT KNOW ABOUT THE VALUE OF OUR INDUSTRY!

That could all change! Someone in this industry has datatbases that are equaled by no one including Transworld, and someone could help make sure this industry had a show that included every section of the amusement industry that could or should relate to the haunt buyer, then the industry would grow faster.

Remember the goal here isn't to always dip your hands in latex, or build wall panels for the rest of your life. The goal is to actually grow as an industry, grow the age groups who will attend our industries attractions, to expand our reach our markets, so how do you do that?

Do we do that ALL working against each other and acting like idiots who love to fight with each other or do we work together for a common goal? It takes ALL haunts working together on the same page to accomplish great things. I see that day finally coming!

In order to dream big, you have to see the bigger picture!

Larry

[xxxdirk]

"That could all change! Someone in this industry has datatbases that are equaled by no one including Transworld, and someone could help make sure this industry had a show that included every section of the amusement industry that could or should relate to the haunt buyer, then the industry would grow faster."

ie: substitute the "someones" in the above quote and plug in "I, Larry K". Comeone Larry, enough with the foreplay. Give it up!!, you know you wanna.... Gosh, reminds me of prom night!! lol

[drfrightner]

Dirk,

Funny line about Prom Night!!! LOL

Larry

[Slain]

For us before any IAHA or groups of people or associations telling haunters how they need to do things there was just a bunch of haunters scary people making a bit of money (maybe even giving some away) but not to long ago it was just us.
What of Scarefactory's TV haunt show or Transworld's Halloween show or Barry's Midwest Haunt Convention.. How can that change the industry?
Will my attendance increase (NO) will the general public or average Joe even be aware of any convention or show (NO). So what is in it for the average haunter?

[drfrightner]

Paul,

When people come together in one place, you must have the best opportunities for those people to learn, communicate, educate, and be exposed to services, opportunities or products they never knew they needed, wanted or existed. I'm sorry to say but most haunters still do not get the professional respect they have earned or deserve like other professional industries.

Do you get six figures in sponsorship, does our industry get its fair due on national exposure, do we know enough to launch group sales efforts, are their ways on line to make more money for your attraction or grow your brand?

Yes to everything.

In order to pull all of that off in one place takes the best of the best, the whole industry, everyone on the same page, and 110% focus on you, your business, your industry, and your FUTURE!

There is a better future if you just reach out and grab it!

Larry