If you work in the haunted attraction industry — or want to — HAuNTcon is the one event you need on your annual calendar. It’s the closest thing the haunt world has to a professional conference and trade expo rolled into one, combining serious industry education with the kind of hands-on, immersive experience that only a community of haunt obsessives can produce.

What Is HAuNTcon?

HAuNTcon (Haunted Attraction National Tradeshow and Conference) is a trade-focused event built by and for the haunted attraction industry. Unlike general Halloween consumer events, HAuNTcon is primarily aimed at professionals: owners and operators of commercial haunted attractions, scare actors and character performers, scenic and prop designers, makeup artists, audio/visual technicians, and anyone working in the business of fear.

The event typically runs two to three days and includes a vendor trade floor with haunted attraction suppliers, educational seminars and panels, live haunt tours at local attractions, and significant networking opportunities with peers and industry veterans. HAuNTcon has historically moved between host cities, partnering with local haunted attractions to provide behind-the-scenes access as part of the event experience.

Who Should Attend HAuNTcon?

• Haunted attraction owners and operators: The seminars and vendor floor are designed specifically for you. Learn from successful operators, discover new prop vendors and technology, and find solutions to operational challenges.
• Scare actors and performers: Acting workshops, character development sessions, and makeup demonstrations provide professional development that’s hard to find anywhere else.
• Prop and scenic designers: Source new materials, discover emerging vendors, and see the latest animatronic and scenic technology in person before committing to a purchase.
• First-time haunt entrepreneurs: If you’re considering launching a haunted attraction, HAuNTcon is the fastest way to compress years of learning into a weekend. The community is unusually open and collaborative.
• Horror enthusiasts: Some tracks are accessible to passionate haunt fans who want deeper access to the craft and culture behind their favorite attractions.

What’s on the HAuNTcon Show Floor?

The vendor exhibit floor brings together the suppliers, manufacturers, and service providers that power the haunted attraction industry. Expect to find animatronic prop manufacturers, scenic design and construction companies, fog machine and special effects vendors, professional makeup suppliers, lighting and audio/visual technology providers, ticketing platforms, insurance providers specializing in haunted attractions, and marketing agencies serving the haunt industry.

The vendor floor is where operators make procurement decisions for the coming season. Many exhibitors offer HAuNTcon-exclusive pricing and will negotiate on large or multi-year orders.

Seminars, Panels, and Education Programming

The educational programming is what separates HAuNTcon from a simple trade show. Sessions are led by veteran haunt operators, successful entrepreneurs, and industry experts who share strategies, case studies, and tactical guidance that operators can apply directly to their businesses.

Common Seminar Topics

• Revenue maximization and dynamic pricing strategies
• Digital marketing and social media for haunted attractions
• Building a scare actor team — hiring, training, retention
• Insurance and liability management for haunt operators
• Scenic design on a budget: professional results with DIY construction
• Animatronic programming and maintenance
• Customer experience design and flow management

Live Haunt Tours: The HAuNTcon Difference

One of the most distinctive features of HAuNTcon is its access to live haunted attraction tours — often including “lights on” backstage walkthroughs that reveal the mechanics, design, and production quality of professional haunts in the host city. These tours give operators a rare opportunity to learn from peer attractions in detail, observe what’s working in other markets, and incorporate great ideas from the best in the business.

Networking at HAuNTcon

The haunted attraction community is famously collaborative for a competitive industry. Operators regularly share vendor contacts, design techniques, staffing strategies, and marketing insights with each other at HAuNTcon in ways that would be unusual in other industries. Come prepared with business cards, a clear description of your attraction, and specific questions — you’ll leave with relationships that pay dividends for years.

How to Prepare for HAuNTcon

• Register early — attendance is capped and popular sessions sell out.
• Review the vendor list before arrival and prioritize exhibitors most relevant to your needs.
• Pre-schedule vendor meetings if exhibitors offer appointment slots.
• Bring a printed or digital budget for procurement decisions so you can commit on the floor.
• Block time for spontaneous conversations — hallway networking is often as valuable as the seminars.

HAuNTcon is one of the best opportunities to connect directly with the people who build, operate, and supply the haunted attractions you love. For full details and registration, visit hauntcon.com. And while you’re planning your haunt calendar, explore Florida’s top haunted houses for inspiration.