Posted by Larry Kirchner (64.123.56.212) on April 27, 2005 at 19:54:00:
In Reply to: HC locations posted by Rich on April 27, 2005 at 16:27:36:
I heard the vendors didn't sell as much as last year but that the overall attendance was up from last year. I think TW had an effect on sales because TW vendors do so outstanding. Additionally its my understanding that the overall amount of vendors was down at Hauntcon as well. Many from last year like Little Spider, Scare Parts, Distortions and so on didn't come back.
I've heard from the people who attended that everyone had a great time at both the haunt tours and the seminars. The concept is more about seeing haunts and seminars than buying and selling since TW has a lock on that right now.
Again I've heard everyone had a wonderful time at Hauntcon. Sounds like it was a lot of fun!!!
As for going to Denver or any other city...I think each Hauntcon success depends soley on the haunt in that city. I do NOT think people are coming to see vendors or seminars...those are just a bonus. People are coming to see haunts they couldn't otherwise see because they're busy in October.
Verdun is a PREMIUM haunted house located in Dallas which is the capital of the Southwest. Expect a big turnout...if you go to Denver I would say expect the crowd to be a lot lower.
These type of shows need to go into cities where there are high profile haunts that are SET UP at the time of the show. Denver has some wonderful attractions, but none that stick out as a draw like Verdun Manor.
When I came up with this concept for the traveling show, which Hauntcon is now using I wanted IAHA to do these but I always said you need to stay east of Kansas City. Going to Missouri, Penn, Ohio, Michigan or Mass would be my top choices.
Larry Kirchner