THURSDAY FREE SEMINAR

From Impulse to Impact: Smart Buying for Cohesive Attraction Design
Jeffrey Holmes, IWG
9:00am-10:00am | Room 123
Is your creative director dangerous with a credit card? Does your husband buy everything that catches his eye? Start your TransWorld spending- spree off right by gaining the tools that help you filter your buying decisions through a strong, cohesive attraction design. Key points to cover:

• Determining Your Audience
• Finding your “Theme”
• Picking the Right Props
• The “Hero’s Journey” in Attraction Design
• Say “No to the Hippo”

FRIDAY FREE SEMINARS

Frightening Changes Facing Owners in the Haunt Industry
Timothy Gavinski, The Itty Bitty Book Series and Billy Groeneveld, HauntShield Risk Advisors
8:00am-9:30am | Room 120
Haunted houses across America are becoming a growing focus for lawsuits, with claims of negligence and premises liability at the forefront. The once-reliable assumption of risk defense is increasingly challenged by evolving negligence laws. For haunted attractions, even small operations, carrying liability insurance can make them attractive targets for litigation, as law firms pursue claims directly with insurance companies, leading to potentially large settlements. This legal strategy has already affected other industries, such as mud runs and roller skating rinks, driving insurance costs to unsustainable levels for all but the largest operators.

The haunted house community must take proactive steps to understand and mitigate this growing risk. In this critical session, two industry veterans and expert witnesses will share their insights:

• Billy Groeneveld, owner of the award-winning Enigma Haunt for 10 years, former Vice President of the Haunted Attraction Association, and a seasoned Chief Risk Officer with 30 years in the investment industry.
• Timothy “Timmer” Gavinski, author of “The Itty-Bitty Book Series,” former owner of the award-winning Wisconsin Fear Grounds for over 15 years, and past President of the Haunted Attraction Association.

Both presenters are trained expert witnesses through the S.E.A.K. Expert Witness Training Course. Together, they will delve into the foundation of this alarming trend, examine potential insurance ramifications, and provide actionable strategies for developing risk assessment protocols to help haunted attractions prepare for legal challenges.

Creating Low-Cost Interactives
Ariel Rubin, Wild Optimists
10:00am-11:00am | Room 130
It doesn’t matter if you are building a new experience or are looking for how to amp up your already-existing experience, there are ways to add maximum interactivity for minimal costs. Ariel Rubin, from Wild Optimists, will take you through different types of low barrier interactives, how to use interactives to achieve your goals and how to figure out and eliminate pain points in your experience and create easy extras that encourage repeat visits.

SATURDAY FREE SEMINARS

Entering the Next Season with Awareness and Insight
Moderator: Ben Armstrong, Netherworld Haunted House
Panel: Timothy Gavinski, The Itty Bitty Book Series / Billy Groeneveld, HauntShield Risk Advisors / Eddie McLaurin, Woods of Terror / Mindi Plaisance, RISE Haunted House & Christmas at RISE
9:00am-10:00am | Room 120
This panel discussion serves as a follow-up to Friday’s seminar, “Frightening Changes Facing Owners in the Haunt Industry.” That session addressed critical topics such as the alarming rise in lawsuits affecting the haunt industry, potential challenges with insurance companies, and strategies for developing protocols to protect your business. Moderated by Ben Armstrong, this session provides an interactive platform for haunt owners to ask questions, share personal experiences, and collaborate on proactive solutions to safeguard the industry. Panel members include industry experts Tim Gavinski, Billy Groeneveld, and others.

FRIDAY EXHIBITOR SEMINARS

Incorporating Silicone into your Haunted Attraction
Ken Decker & Josh Overturf, CFX
11:15am-12:15pm | Room 130
Taught by leaders of the silicone mask industry Ken Decker and Josh Overturf from CFX Masks, learn how to incorporate silicone masks, gloves and props into your haunted attraction to help elevate your characters and events.

Tune2 & The Future of Holiday Light Show Audio & Audience Engagement
Michael Simmons, Tune2 Technologies, LLC
12:30pm-1:30pm | Room 130
Discover a revolutionary way to enhance your holiday light show with Tune2—the industry leader in seamless music licensing, innovative and next-gen audio delivery, and enhanced audience engagement through mobile integration. This seminar explores the complexities of music licensing, copyright compliance, while also addressing FCC Part 15 regulations for short-range FM broadcasting. Whether you’re a commercial or residential light show operator, you’ll gain the knowledge to create a dazzling, legally sound, and immersive experience – without the limitations of traditional FM radio.

Key Topics Covered:

• Music Licensing, Royalties, & Copyrights
• Short-range FM Radio Transmission
• New Laws / Updated FCC Part 15 Regulations
• Enhanced Audience Engagement
• Practical Applications for Holiday Light Shows

Revenue Growth Hacking and Marketing for Your Attraction
Shadi Hayek, TicketSpice
1:45pm-2:45pm | Room 130
After analyzing Billions of dollars in online ticket sales, we reveal the unique methodologies, tricks, and strategies behind the top-performing TicketSpice attractions, and how they uniquely market and engage customers, sell more tickets, and generate more profit every year.

Attendees in this session will learn:

• Ticketing Feature Maximization
• Price Optimization Trends and Offerings
• Timing Sales and Promotions
• Conversion Rate Fixes
• SEO, Analytics and Ad Strategies to Consider in 2025
• Lifetime Customer Value Trends and Strategy
• Admission Offerings for Your Customers
• Messaging and Communication Strategy
• Repeat Customer Insights
• Time and Cost Reduction
• Customer Loyalty Trends

This session is jam-packed with actionable insights to effectively market and engage customers, boost conversion rates, sell more tickets, and increase average customer revenue.

SATURDAY EXHIBITOR SEMINARS

“How To” Zombie Prom Makeup Workshop
Bobbie Weiner, Bloody Mary Makeup
9:00am-10:00am | Room 132
This will be a one of a kind Workshop where we will be creating the “Ultimate Possessed Zombie.” Bring a partner to work on to create this character. Every pair will receive a Zombie Makeup Kit with all the FX Makeup to create your one of a kind character. The winner will be featured on the newest “Tales of Bloody Mary Poster.” There will also be a raffle drawing for lots of prizes!

Expanding Beyond Brick & Mortar for Stable, Passive Income
Zoltan Papp, ClueQuest
9:00am-10:00am | Room 130
In an industry driven by innovation, staying ahead means finding new ways to engage audiences, generate revenue, and future-proof your business. This session explores how you can expand beyond physical locations and introduce low-cost, low-maintenance add-on experiences —without the need for costly new builds. Through real-world examples, we’ll uncover how businesses are creating self-sustaining games that generate passive income, using outdoor adventures, corporate training, and interactive collaborations with museums, zoos, and other attractions.

Don’t Do Dumb Sh*t: How To Avoid Marketing Mistakes in 2025
Jake Zufelt, Weldwood Marketing
10:15am-11:15am | Room 130
Your biggest liability in marketing is… you! Seasoned marketer Jake Zufelt demystifies the chaos of digital marketing in an AI-driven world. Learn how AI is reshaping SEO, navigate the ever-changing landscape of social media platforms, and use your online presence to boost organic networking while keeping your brand human and relatable. This seminar is ideal for business owners eager to streamline their digital strategies and foster genuine, profitable connections.

Haunt Marketing 101: Back to the Basics
Patrick Stranger, 5TRYBE MEDIA
12:45pm-1:45pm | Room 130
Are you getting the fundamentals right in your haunt’s marketing strategy? While cutting-edge technology and advanced tactics can enhance your outreach, success starts with mastering the basics. Join haunt marketing pioneer Patrick Stanger and seasoned advertising executive Brady Woodall from 5TRYBE Media for a no-nonsense seminar on the essential marketing principles that drive ticket sales and audience engagement. Whether you’re new to haunt marketing or need a refresher, this session will help you build a solid foundation for a successful season.

Mastering Special Effects Makeup: Essential Guidelines for Your Business, Actors, and Makeup Artists
Justin Fears, EBA Performance Makeup
2:00pm-3:00pm | Room 130
In this tutorial, Justin Fears will share her preferred techniques acquired over a decade of experience in the special effects, film, and television makeup industry. These insights are designed to assist you in achieving quick and efficient professional makeup results, while also helping you steer clear of costly errors that could significantly impact your business.

Topics that will be covered in this tutorial:

• Which makeup application is best for your business?
  • Sponge vs Airbrush vs Paint Brush? When to use which and the breakdown of each when it comes functionality and cost
    
  • Top feed vs bottom feed airbrush, which works better and which is more efficient?
• Top 5 tips on how to achieve pro results while bringing your costs down
  • How to avoid time consuming makeup touch ups
  • Pigmented vs thin makeup: how and when to use each to achieve the best results and efficiency
  • The best and fastest makeup techniques when working with a full house of actors
  • Size matters
  • Makeup removers that work fast, are safe and cost less
• Which UV colors are approved by FDA for skin use and which are not
  • Many companies still offer UV colors that aren’t approved by the FDA. What does it mean for your business and the costly consequences you may face when using unapproved colors
• Hybrid, water, or alcohol-based makeup?
  • The difference and which of these would be the best fit for your business?
  • Which of these provides the best value for your money?

The New Rules of Social Media: How to Stand Out and Drive Results in 2025
Laura Kilpatrick and Andrew Klokow, FearWorm Hauntvertising
3:15pm-4:15pm | Room 130
In this fast-changing social media landscape, what worked last year may not cut it anymore! Join Laura and Andrew from FearWorm for a deep dive into the new rules of social media in 2025. Learn how to measure meaningful engagement (hint: it’s not just “likes”), craft intriguing content to convert the masses, and learn how to balance authentic, in-the-moment posts with polished visuals. In this class, you’ll discover how to cut through audience fatigue and get your haunted attraction noticed in a crowded digital space. Adapt now and take your event’s social presence to that next level! Let’s leave the complaining about the algorithm to those other guys!