Alex Armstrong, Netherworld Haunted House
Strategies for Attracting and Retaining Staff in the Haunted Attraction Industry
As the Operations Manager at Netherworld Haunted House in Atlanta, GA, Alex helps keep the gears of this legendary haunt turning smoothly. Overseeing all non-performance departments, Alex supports a seasonal team of 400+ ghoulish crew members who bring the nightmares to life.
When not managing operations, Alex lends a creative hand painting and fabricating sinister sets and props, adding to the eerie magic that makes Netherworld a fan favorite every Halloween season..
Ben Armstrong, Netherworld Haunted House
Critical Topics In Haunted Attraction Ownership and Management: What You Need To Know to Thrive and Survive!
61 Weird Ideas To Make your Haunted Attraction More Successful!
Predicting 2025: Emerging Trends that will shape the Haunted Attraction Business this Season!
Ben worked in television broadcasting for 18 years in a variety of production roles including producer, director, set builder, editor, videographer, lighting director and as a twisted late night TV horror show host in the award-winning Tales from Six Feet Under. He has designed, built and acted in haunted houses since 1991, and is the co-founder and co-owner of the legendary NETHERWORLD Haunted House that launched in Atlanta, GA in 1997. Haunting for more than 34 years, Ben has worked in the film and video game industries, written countless magazine articles, taught innumerable seminars, consulted on a multitude of haunted attraction projects, served in leadership roles in a variety of haunted house associations and boards, and worked for decades to promote the haunted attraction industry in a positive light to the national media.
Max Armstrong, Netherworld Haunted House
The Sound of Fear: Expert Tips for Creating Immersive Audio Experiences in Haunted Houses
As the Head Technician at Netherworld Haunted House in Atlanta, GA, Max Armstrong works behind the scenes to enhance the haunt experience with innovative effects and carefully crafted soundscapes. From developing animatronic systems to creating and refining audio that sets the mood, Max focuses on making every detail as immersive as possible. With a dedication to his craft and a collaborative approach, he supports Netherworld’s team of 400+ in bringing their creative visions to life and giving guests unforgettable scares each season.
Rachel Armstrong, Netherworld Haunted House
Strategies for Attracting and Retaining Staff in the Haunted Attraction Industry
Rachel is the Front of House Manager at Netherworld Haunted House in Atlanta, GA. Growing up in the family-owned business, she became familiar with its operations from a young age and has worked over a decade both behind the scenes and in customer-facing roles. Rachel manages a team of employees, and plays an integral part in onboarding new hires and handling seasonal payroll. Her commitment to fostering a positive, supportive work environment has made her a valued member of the Netherworld team.
Bart Butler, Terror in the Corn Scream
Team Essentials: Building an Unstoppable Haunted Attraction Crew
Bart Butler has been a passionate contributor to the Haunt Industry for over 33 years. His extensive experience includes collaborating with haunted attractions nationwide, offering his expertise and creative vision. Since 2020, Bart has served as the Show Director for Terror in the Corn in Colorado, where he continues to elevate the art of immersive horror. He is also the co-creator of the web series A Haunter’s Life, showcasing the behind-the-scenes world of haunt professionals.
Michael Caneva, Terror in the Corn
Scream Team Essentials: Building an Unstoppable Haunted Attraction Crew
Michael Caneva began his haunt career in 2010 with Mournful Manor, a home haunt in Arvada, CO, which expanded to 25 scenes over 5,000 square feet by its fourth and final season. In 2014, he joined City of the Dead in Henderson, CO. In 2017, he became Actor Manager, overseeing performances as City of the Dead expanded to include The Asylum.
After City of the Dead and The Asylum closed in 2020 due to the pandemic, Michael joined Terror in the Corn as advisor, Zone Leader, and ultimately Production Manager, where he manages nearly 200 actors. Terror in the Corn has ranked as Colorado’s top haunt since 2020 and achieved national rankings of #1, #3, and #2 from 2021–2023. The team continues its success into 2025 with another season in Raven’s Gulch.
Island Chance, Netherworld Haunted House
Creating and Training Powerful Icon Characters for your Halloween Event
Island Chance has dedicated the past 15 years to studying the evolution of haunted house performers and their pivotal role in shaping the internal success of haunted attractions. With extensive experience acting in haunted houses of varying scales and guest acting at off-season events nationwide, Island has developed a deep understanding of the industry from multiple perspectives.
For the past 13 years, Island has been part of the renowned Netherworld Haunted House team, starting as an actor, advancing to a trainer, and currently serving as the Attraction Manager/Show Runner. These roles have given Island comprehensive insight into the haunt industry, particularly from the actors’ point of view. Island is passionate about sharing the knowledge and experiences accumulated over the years to help enhance haunted house performances and operations for you and your actors.
Jon Cooke, Plague Productions
Mastering Terror: Crafting Haunted House Layouts for Maximum Fear
Jon Cooke is the owner and chief creative director of Plague Productions, a premier themed entertainment creative and production company specializing in immersive haunted attractions. With a portfolio that includes collaborations with major industry players such as Knott’s Scary Farm, Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor, and NBC Universal’s Jimmy Fallon’s: Tonightmares, Jon has established himself as a visionary in the haunted attraction space. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and innovative, outside-the-box approach to design, he has become a leading thought leader and influential force shaping the future of modern haunted experiences.
Marco D’Andrea, Fear Columbus
The Krampus Playbook: A Case Study in Crafting the Ultimate Holiday Haunting Experience
The Sound of Fear: Expert Tips for Creating Immersive Audio Experiences in Haunted Houses
Marco is the Full-Time General Manager for Fear Columbus Haunted House. From sets, tech, crowd control, Marco keeps his hands full with just about all aspects of the business. In addition he has worked in the pro audio/lighting and live events industry for 8 years and the haunted attraction industry for 10 years, along with 15 years of Christmas light and decor installation.
Christopher de Troy
Scenic Painting: Mastering the Technique of Turning Sets into Vibrantly Realistic Environments
With 40 years of experience haunting the dreams of thrill-seekers, Christopher is a master of the macabre. He is a true veteran of the Haunted Attraction Industry possessing the unique blend of creative vision and logistical expertise to bring large scale special events to vivid life. From concept to execution, Christopher has his hand in every creative detail of the attraction or event. His skill set encompasses: Visual storytelling and Design: Crafting immersive narratives that draw guests into the heart of the nightmare. This includes Set design, scenic painting techniques, and prop creation. Performance Direction: Guiding and training actors to deliver unforgettable guest experiences in insuring both safety and maximum impact. Operations Management: Overseeing the logistics of a large-scale event, including budgeting, staffing and crowd control. Teaching: Christopher has shared his extensive knowledge of scenic painting techniques with hundreds of growing artists at numerous trade shows, conventions and attractions for over 30 decades, always learning something new. Christopher doesn’t just design and detail paint haunted attractions, he crafts stunning visual experiences. His passion for the industry and dedication make him a true master of the art of haunting.
Brian Demski, Demski Creations
The Art of Horror – Brutal Realism in Scenic Painting, Prop Fabrication and Haunted Attraction Detailing
A veteran film artist of over 30 years, Brian Demski offers opportunities to express a particular vision for your haunted attraction. He has worked on many projects including feature films, haunted attractions, television, escape rooms, and music videos. Brian Demski has taken his unique talents and macabre style and implemented them in numerous haunts across the United States.
Jillian DeNamur, Spookyworld Presents Nightmare New England
FrightTok Fundamentals- The Ultimate Guide for Business Growth on TikTok
Jillian DeNamur is a dynamic and multifaceted professional with over 11 years of experience in the haunted house industry, currently serving as the Makeup Manager at Spookyworld Presents Nightmare New England. With a background that spans from acting to makeup artistry, Jillian has mastered the art of transforming both spaces and people into chilling works of horror. She has spent the past two years overseeing the makeup department, ensuring that every haunting character is brought to life with precision and creativity.
In addition to her work in the haunted house industry, Jillian is a powerhouse in the world of social media. With over 5.7 million followers on TikTok, 370,000 followers on Instagram, and 280,000+ on Facebook, Jillian has cultivated a dedicated following by showcasing her makeup transformations, special effects, and behind-the-scenes content from haunted houses. Her engaging, visually striking posts have made her a go-to source for fans of both makeup artistry and the horror genre.
Jillian’s passion for creating immersive characters and costumes extends beyond the makeup chair. She dedicates her time to developing new looks, experimenting with unique character designs, and engaging her audience with creative and interactive content. Her ability to merge the worlds of professional makeup, haunted house entertainment, and social media has made her a standout figure in both industries.
John Denley, Boneyard Productions
How much “SCARE” footage does your Haunt have? Maximizing the Fright-Factor in limited space!
John Denley is the CEO of Escape Room International. He has designed attractions around the world and his team has become synonymous with creating cutting edge attractions. His clients include Disney Resorts, The U.S. Army, Norton Utilities and Foxwoods Casino and Resorts. He has been featured on many media outlets including Psychology Today, CNN and the Today Show.
Michael Edwards, Terror in the Corn
Scream Team Essentials: Building an Unstoppable Haunted Attraction Crew
Michael Edwards has worked in the Haunt Industry for more than 34 years. He has managed, acted, and built sets for Haunted Verdun Manor (now Thrillvania), Screams Haunted Theme Park, The Haunt House, Dark Hour, and Dan’s Haunted House. In 2018, he accepted a full-time position at Terror in the Corn (located at Anderson Farms, one of the largest Agritainment venues in Colorado). Since 2020, he has served proudly as a Board Member for the Haunted Attraction Association. He can also be seen in the webisode series, “A Haunter’s Life” and enjoys every opportunity to train actors and share his knowledge with others.
Jake Farmer, Effects To Go
Chaos and Shadow – Use Theatrical Tricks and Special Effects Techniques to Rock Your Haunt Lighting!
Jake Farmer has spent his working lifetime in and around haunted attractions and theme parks collecting much experience over the last 20 years. He’s been part of the management team at Dark Hour Haunted House in Plano, Texas since its beginnings in 2013. He’s also a licensed pyrotechnician and conducts professional displays throughout the year. In 2018, he started Effects To Go, LLC delivering special effects and on-site technical services for the attractions industry. He enjoys theme parks & margaritas!
Aryn Fox, The Dent Schoolhouse
Building an Insanely Skilled Makeup Team for Your Haunted Attraction!
With 14 years of experience at the renowned Dent Schoolhouse, Aryn Fox has honed a diverse range of skills in the haunted attraction industry. For 13 years, they worked as a makeup artist, mastering the art of transforming actors into terrifyingly realistic characters. Aryn also spent 7 years as the makeup manager, leading a team of talented artists and ensuring top-tier quality across the attraction. In addition, they have served as the costume manager for 3 years, overseeing wardrobe design and ensuring every character’s look tells a compelling story.
Beyond the haunted house, Aryn has been a tattoo artist and professional face and body painter for 16 years, showcasing their creativity and expertise in a variety of settings. Their skills earned them recognition as a finalist on the body paint competition show Skin Wars, where they demonstrated artistry, innovation, and a passion for their craft.
Nick Francis, Fear Columbus
The Krampus Playbook: A Case Study in Crafting the Ultimate Holiday Haunting Experience
Strategies for Attracting and Retaining Staff in the Haunted Attraction Industry
The Sound of Fear: Expert Tips for Creating Immersive Audio Experiences in Haunted Houses
Nick Francis has been in the haunt industry his entire life. He started with a home haunt when he was only 5 years old and is now the Co-Owner of Fear Columbus Haunted House. Nick also owns SkySprout Marketing and has worked for dozens of haunted houses over the years helping them with digital marketing.
Jess Francis, Fear Columbus
The Krampus Playbook: A Case Study in Crafting the Ultimate Holiday Haunting Experience
Jess is the owner of Fear Columbus Haunted House and has been involved in the haunted attraction industry since 2011. Starting as an actor, Jess worked through various roles, including queue line, zone lead, and eventually became the Haunt Owner. Along the way, Jess gained experience in construction, costuming, makeup, and event staff roles, embracing a hands-on approach that keeps her engaged and helps her understand the needs of her team.
Over the years, Jess developed and refined the systems used to hire and manage the team, eventually passing these responsibilities to the staff coordinator. Her goal has always been to create a clean, organized, fun, and safe work environment where employees genuinely enjoy coming to work. Jess provides her staff with everything they need—and more—to succeed.
Thanks to these efforts, the Haunted House has achieved a 90% staffing retention rate year after year. With a team of roughly 150 passionate, motivated, and dedicated individuals, the Haunt thrives as a collaborative and exciting workplace. Jess takes pride in sharing the strategies and practices that have helped her maintain such a strong and loyal crew season after season.
William “Billy” Groeneveld, HauntShield Risk Advisors
Frightening Changes Facing Owners in the Haunt Industry
Billy is a Haunted house enthusiast that became a “home haunter” for 10 years and then transitioned to a successful owner/operator of a professional award winning haunted attraction, Enigma Haunt, for over 10 years. He created expertise from experience and gathered knowledge through education and operation. He excels at safety regulation and risk assessment of all operational aspects, including security and design and training requirements. He created procedures and protocols to interact and entertain visitors by adopting recommended industry standards and enforcing all city, state and NFPA 101 applicable requirements of a haunted attraction. Billy was also an experienced securities executive with over 30 years of expertise in regulatory compliance, risk management, operational and legal strategy.
Jeremy Hastings, The Dead End Hayride
Crafting an Engaging Daytime Pumpkin Patch Experience
Jeremy Hastings is the Owner and CEO of Mid-Minnesota Entertainment, overseeing two of Minnesota’s premier Halloween attractions: The Dead End Hayride and The Great Pumpkin Trail. With over 15 years of experience, he has built these immersive, family-friendly events from the ground up, transforming them into must-visit seasonal experiences that attract thousands of visitors each year. His innovative approach includes being an early adopter of dynamic ticket pricing, allowing for better crowd management while enhancing the guest experience by reducing wait times. His operational strategies have set new standards within the industry, helping his attractions remain at the forefront of seasonal entertainment. His leadership of a talented team of artists, set designers, builders, and mechanics is at the core of his success. Their year-round collaboration transforms imaginative concepts into large-scale, interactive environments that captivate visitors of all ages.
Mike Henrie, Nightmare on 13th
Maximizing Profits: Leveraging Gift Shops, Food, and Photography for Serious Revenue!
Mike Henrie has owned the Nightmare on 13th Haunted Attraction for the last 35 seasons. He has operated and grown the haunted house business by creating many income streams including photo sales, retail sales, food sales and even a 2nd attraction – Institute of Terror.
Allen Hopps, Dark Hour Haunted House
Nightmare Tales: Surviving the Haunt Industry’s Hardest Trials
Making an Interactive Experience – How we Produce Dead by Dark Hour
Fun with Phobias
61 Weird Ideas To Make your Haunted Attraction More Successful!
Allen has owned and operated haunted attractions for over 30 years. Seen as an industry leader in Actor training, attraction design and management While acting as a consultant and supplier of costumes and props for haunts of every level through Stiltbeast studios. The Stiltbeast Studios YouTube channel is a go to source for attraction decor and prop ideas. A frequent presenter and educator on all things haunted attraction Allen has a passion for learning and sharing anything that will better the industry.
Tampa Jay, “Tampa Jay” YouTube Channel
Haunted House YouTube Roundtable
Halloween Haunted House Enthusiast, YouTuber. Tampa Jay travels America to experience the best and scariest haunted houses and dark ride attractions! Tampa Jay of YouTube is known to his audience for his roadside explorations, “creature features”, haunted houses, real life haunted places, classic roadside attractions, abandoned places, conventions, theme parks, filming locations from iconic Horror films (Friday The 13th, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Dawn of the Dead). Tampa Jay shares a passion and bond with all who love everything spooky, haunted, horror, & Halloween!
Jacob Krejci, The Carpetbagger
Haunted House YouTube Roundtable
Jacob Krejci, “The Carpetbagger” has been producing YouTube videos for over a decade. Currently at over half a million subscribers, Jacob features Roadside Attractions, Theme Parks, Museums and Haunts from all over the United States. Every Halloween Season Jacob Features Haunts of every size and variety across the nation.
John LaFlamboy, Zombie Army Productions/HellsGate Haunted House
61 Weird Ideas To Make your Haunted Attraction More Successful!
John LaFlamboy, founder of Zombie Army Productions and owner/operator of HellsGate Haunted House, has been producing award winning haunted houses, events, films, and theatre for the past 25 years in Chicagoland (Statesville Haunted Prison, The Fear at Navy Pier, Dragon’s Dome, Zombie Prom Chicago, The Moleman of Belmont Avenue). His theatre and film background give him the foundation to create massive interactive haunted attractions that leave the audience feeling like they had just walked through a live horror film. His latest creation, HellsGate Haunted House, is his dream project and the culmination of 20 years of haunted house experience. “HellsGate, it’s not just a Haunted House, It’s an Adventure!”, says John. When he is not working in the halls of his haunted houses, he is on stage as an ensemble member of The Artistic Home Theatre and working on independent films in Chicago. If you want to learn more, go behind the scenes of the haunted house industry with John and his Zombie Army crew with the reality web series DaysOfTheLivingDead.com.
Katie Lane
Undressing Distressing: Transforming Costumes with Aging, Alteration, and Detail
Katie Lane is an actor, costume designer, and consultant for haunted attractions and entertainment venues. She first performed in a haunt at only 9 years old and worked her way up to queue performer, makeup artist, acting coordinator, and production manager. Training actors is a passion that she shares by working with haunts all over the country and providing educational seminars at Transworld, Midwest Haunters Convention, and East Coast Haunters Convention. Spending the last two decades as a traveling actor, she has performed at haunts such as Scarehouse, HellsGate Haunted House, Factory of Terror, Terror on the Fox, Fear Fair, and Niles Scream Park. She has run several haunted events, most recently the Legendary Haunted School & Laboratory. Katie has spoken out about sexual assault in the industry and works with attractions to implement reporting and safety proceedures. Working with Evilusions, she launched the “Dead Katie” prop line which was created from her lifecast. Outside of the haunt industry, she has designed and implemented attractions, created costuming, and trained performers for escape rooms, zoos, and family entertainment centers.
Alex Lohmann, When Hinges Creak
Introduction to Molding and Casting
Alex Lohmann is a 25 year veteran of the haunted house industry, and devotes his entire life to scary stuff. Together with his wife Jennifer, he runs,owns, operates and is the creative force behind Reindeer Manor Halloween Park, which is celebrating it’s 52nd season this year, as well as When Hinges Creak, a prop company that sells haunted decor pieces to haunted houses, escape rooms, film and television. He also sells a variety of stilts, makeup, contacts and even large quantities of black paint for haunts. Alex also still performs with his haunt characters from time to time and is directly involved with every aspect of his show; everything from design and construction, actor auditions, actor selection and training, stilt training and coaching, choreography and even still maintains and uses his makeup booth in the makeup room. He teaches on a wide array of topics at many of the industries trade shows and has no intention of leaving the industry he’s devoted his life to. In addition to haunting, special effects and teaching, Alex loves funeral cars, music, skateboarding, dogs and visiting a wide variety of entertainment venues.
TJ Mannarino, Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights
Predicting 2025: Emerging Trends that will shape the Haunted Attraction Business this Season!
TJ Mannarino, Vice President of Entertainment Art & Design, UDX, has been an active part of the entertainment community for over 35 years. In his current role, TJ is responsible for the conceptual development and production of all live entertainment attractions overseeing the areas of creative, design, and costuming for Universal’s three world-class theme parks, five award-winning Loews Hotel resorts, and the CityWalk night-time entertainment complex.
During his 28 years at Universal Orlando, TJ has lead a team of artists, scenic and costume designers, creative and concept developers and show producers working in tandem to deliver some of the industry’s most compelling live entertainment experiences. Some of the acclaimed ground-breaking and live entertainment experiences include: the Jimmy Fallon Ride Through New York grand opening with the Today Show and Tonight Show cast; Wizarding World of Harry Potter; Illuminations’ The Secret Life of Pets Parade Float Experience; the Super Star Parade; Grinchmas; Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s; and Mardi Gras.
TJ and his design team are highly regarded for their continued successes in the uniquely innovative design and development of Universal Orlando’s Award-Winning Halloween Horror Nights. This two month-long annual event, in its 34th year, features newly designed haunted attractions based on iconic horror films, hit TV shows and haunting original stories interspersed with scarezones, “scareactors” and live shows. The growth and success of this event has led to the recognition of TJ’s expertise featured in the Travel Channel’s “The Art of the Scare”, and media publications such as, “Haunted Attraction Magazine”, “Fangoria”, and “Entertainment Design”.Prior to his arrival at Universal Destinations & Experiences, TJ enjoyed a successful and diversified career in film and television and attended the University of Florida.
Taylor McElroy, MadWorld Haunted Attractions
FrightTok Fundamentals- The Ultimate Guide for Business Growth on TikTok
Taylor is the Customer Service manager and Assistant Makeup Director of MadWorld Haunted Attraction. This will be her 14th season working at MadWorld. She has grown a following of 975k on social media focused on the haunt industry and sharing makeup skills.
Nick Markoff, Markoff’s Haunted Forest
Building Fear: Massive Sets for Indoor and Outdoor Haunted Attraction
Nick Markoff started MHF at 23yrs old. Nick never considered himself an expert, but after 32 years of haunting he has picked up a few skills-… one can say “jack of all trades, master on none”. Nick lead a team of talented builders and designers and together they can achieve and build anything they set our minds to. “Go big or go home”, “how can we improve” and “what if we…” are the words they live by. Their packed and sold out shows are a testament to their legacy. Nick and his team work hard and play hard, they joke around and don’t take themselves too seriously,. Nick tries to think outside the box and push himself to be more. And each year he continues to get better.
Rania Peet, Markoff’s Haunted Forest
Photography for Haunted Attractions: Techniques to Capture the Scare
Rania Peet is a seasoned photographer and the lead set & lighting designer for Markoff’s Haunted Forest in Dickerson, MD. With over two decades of experience in the event and entertainment industry, Rania expertly combines her creative design skills with her passion for photography. Her deep understanding of set and lighting design allows her to capture the essence of her creations, showcasing the beauty of haunted attractions through a unique and compelling photographic lens.
Jim Schopf, Field of Screams
Attracting and Managing Massive Crowds at Your Attraction
With over 3 decades of owning and operating Field of Screams in Mountville PA, brothers Gene and Jim Schopf have seen their event grow from 3,000 attendees in 1993 to now over 100,000 attendees seasonally. When a single-season night can generate over 10,000 visitors in a short time span it is crucial knowing how to handle massive crowds. To date, Field of Screams has entertained over 2 million visitors on their property!
- Co-founder of Field of Screams LLC which began in 1993 as a Haunted Hayride Operation on the 33-acre family farm in Mountville PA.
- Field of Screams now consists of
- 4 Haunted Attractions: The Haunted Hayride, The Den of Darkness, The Frightmare Asylum, and The Nocturnal Wasteland.
- An impressive haunted mid-way featuring live performances, a Scream Shop souvenir shop, The Chainsaw Bar beer garden area, Axe Throwing lanes, 5-minute Escape Rooms, Carnival-style games, an abundance of food options, and roaming scareactors.
- A daytime, non-scary event called Corn Cob Acres. This fall, agricultural-based event is geared towards children 12 and under and was added in 2009
- The Zombie Fun Run, a 5K obstacle run held on the Field of Scrams grounds in mid-November which was added in 2013.
- Jim was instrumental in helping the PA Department of Agriculture get their Haunt Inspector Program Started back in 2007.
- Jim was also instrumental in developing the ASTM Standard F3168 for Hayride Attractions that was adopted in 2020
Gene Schopf, Field of Screams
Attracting and Managing Massive Crowds at Your Attraction
With over 3 decades of owning and operating Field of Screams in Mountville PA, brothers Gene and Jim Schopf have seen their event grow from 3,000 attendees in 1993 to now over 100,000 attendees seasonally. When a single-season night can generate over 10,000 visitors in a short time span it is crucial knowing how to handle massive crowds. To date, Field of Screams has entertained over 2 million visitors on their property!
- Co-founder of Field of Screams LLC which began in 1993 as a Haunted Hayride Operation on the 33-acre family farm in Mountville PA.
- Field of Screams now consists of
- 4 Haunted Attractions: The Haunted Hayride, The Den of Darkness, The Frightmare Asylum, and The Nocturnal Wasteland.
- An impressive haunted mid-way featuring live performances, a Scream Shop souvenir shop, The Chainsaw Bar beer garden area, Axe Throwing lanes, 5-minute Escape Rooms, Carnival-style games, an abundance of food options, and roaming scareactors.
- A daytime, non-scary event called Corn Cob Acres. This fall, agricultural-based event is geared towards children 12 and under and was added in 2009
- The Zombie Fun Run, a 5K obstacle run held on the Field of Scrams grounds in mid-November which was added in 2013.
- Gene was instrumental in helping the PA Department of Agriculture get their Haunt Inspector Program Started back in 2007.
- Gene served as Vice President of the now defunct HHA Board from 2009 – 2011. When HHA merged with IAHA and became HAA in 2011, Gene served as Vice President of the HAA Board from 2011 – 2014.”
Chris Stafford, Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group
Predicting 2025: Emerging Trends that will shape the Haunted Attraction Business this Season!
Chris is the CEO and Founding Partner of Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group, the world’s largest producer of Halloween themed live events. With over 22 years of experience in live entertainment, Chris has been instrumental in creating some of the most immersive and innovative experiences in the industry.
His journey began in Denver, Colorado, where he and his business partner—whom he met as a teenager working at a local haunted house—opened their first attraction. Chris later co-founded Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group with two additional partners in Austin, Texas while working for one of the nation’s largest banks. After 12 years in banking, Chris made the bold decision to leave his corporate career behind in 2010 to fully dedicate himself to his passion for live entertainment.
Under his leadership, Thirteenth Floor has rapidly expanded, currently operating 31 attractions across 17 cities in the U.S. These include haunted houses, Halloween festivals, location-based entertainment venues, and immersive experiences.
In addition to his work in entertainment, Chris is the co-founder of Don’t Be A Monster, a nonprofit organization focused on bullying prevention in schools nationwide.
Chris resides in Denver with his wife and their two children.
Bruce Stanton, Reign of Terror
Enhancing Guest Experience: Mastering the Art of Pacing as Your Haunt Expands
Bruce Stanton started the Reign of Terror as a home haunted house in thousand oaks in October of 2000. It quickly gained popularity and in 2008 moved to a professional site where it is still to this day. Reign of Terror has been awarded many national honors and has become one of Los Angles’s top haunted houses to visit each season. It was Yelps best reviewed haunted house nation wide in 2023.
Nathan Stevenson, Universal Orlando Resort
Expanding the Experience: Scaling Seasonal Events for Year-Round Engagement
Nathan has been a member of Universal Orlando Resort’s Creative Development Group for over 14 years, with a focus on the creation and operation of Halloween Horror Nights and New Ventures.
Before working for Universal Orlando Resort, Nathan worked as a Creative Director and Writer for multiple entertainment companies throughout Florida and California.
Nathan has worked alongside major production houses including Universal Pictures, MGM, Sony, WB, Lionsgate, Netflix, Amblin, Blumhouse, Naughty Dog, and Monkey Paw Productions and has directed A List, Celebrity talent.
Nathan spent over a decade collaborating with multiple teams, spanning numerous disciplines, including IP Licensing, Legal, Scenic Design, Decor, FX, Lighting, Costuming, Audio, Rigging, Casting, Marketing, and Operations.
Teddy Summers, OuterWorlds
DISGUSTING Walls? 10 Quick Tips to Grime Up Your Haunted Attraction!
Teddy is a Visual and Scenic Designer / Artist hailing from the mid south. They have been fortunate enough to place fingerprints on many themed attractions across the country, including Dark Hour Haunted House / Escape, Sea World, Busch Gardens, Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights, and many more. Teddy is now traversing the country with a mission to advance the industry of themed attractions. Their goal is to infuse every attraction with a captivating, theme park quality experience that leaves a lasting impression.
Scott Swenson, Scott Swenson Creative Development
Halloween to Ho Ho Ho: Multiple Holiday Design
For over 30 years, Scott Swenson has been bringing stories to life as a Writer, Director, Producer, Educator and Performer. His work in Theme Park, Consumer Events, Live Theater and Television has given him a unique perspective on the entertainment industry. In 2014, after 21 years with SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, Scott formed his own company, Scott Swenson Creative Development. Since then he has been providing impactful experiences for clients around the world. Scott is just as comfortable installing shows on cruise ships (Viking Cruise Lines) or writing and directing award winning educational presentations (SeaWorld, Space Center Houston, The Florida Aquarium, Indianapolis Zoo) as he is providing creative direction (or as he calls it, “Guest Experience Advocacy”) for park wide Christmas events (Franklin Institute, Indianapolis Zoo). In the first half of 2023, Scott was working as the Senior Producer for the Installation of Live Entertainment at SeaWorld, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. In early 2024, he took on the role of Training Specialist for the opening of the WWE Experience in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Scott is probably best known for his work on Halloween events and haunted attractions (Howl-O-Scream, Terror Roulette, The Vault of Souls, DARK at Fort Edmonton Park, UNDead in the Water, Creatures of the Night, ZooBoo, Franklin Fright, etc.). Scott hosts “A Scott in the Dark: Periodic Podcasts for Haunters” and co-hosts the “Green Tagged: Theme Park in 30” podcast. He has written two popular books on the haunted attraction industry and four books of dark poetry and prose. Scott is a member of IAAPA, Leadership Tampa Alumni, The Horror Writers Association, The Themed Entertainment Association, Puppeteers of America and The Haunted Attraction Association. He is an IAAPA Certified Attractions Executive (ICAE), Subject Matter Expert (for training classes and certification) and a member of the IAAPA Entertainment and Awards Task Forces. He has also contributed to articles for several national and international publications and is a sought after panelist and presenter for entertainment and event based trade shows. Whatever project Scott is working on, he is always focused on finding new ways to tell stories that engage and entertain audiences. For more information visit www.ScottSwenson.com
Spencer Terry, Fear Factory Haunted House
Foundations of Fear Part 1:The BEGINNERS conversation to Developing, Starting, and Sustaining Your first 5 Years in Today’s Haunted Attraction Market
Foundations of Fear Part 2:An ADVANCED conversation (and expanded content of the 101 seminar) of Forecasting, Growing, Sustaining, Marketing, Safely Operating and Creating Customer Content in Your Haunted House Market
Spencer Terry wears many hats. In the haunted house industry, he is the General Manager & Equity Owner of Fear Factory Haunted House in Salt Lake City, Utah U.S.A. and is President of the Haunted Attraction Association. Outside of the haunted house industry, he is the CEO of Mountain High Chai, a national bottling & brewing company, Founder of STCG-a consulting firm, and serves as a Board Member for the Salt Lake City, Utah Granary Development District. Prior to his role there, he spent over a decade in hospitality, non-profit, residential property management, retail and more. He’s mastered positions, ranging from C-Suite, EVP of Retail Operations, Executive Director, Operations Director, and served a full term as City Councilman. Spencer founded Gateway of Chaos haunted attraction-a 100% non-profit haunt with 50 volunteers, and has been an avid haunt owner and operator, and home haunter, since he was seven years old. As a private consultant and keynote speaker for nearly all of the field’s he has worked in, being a volunteer firefighter, and an educator/presenter at over 10 universities and 15 school districts, plus his education in business and human resources, he combines his experience and knowledge in a passionate way that has helped maximize the goals of Fear Factory Haunted House in Salt Lake City, Utah, to continue to be a top attraction in the Halloween entertainment industry. With a venue that boasts 6 buildings and 2 underground passages of terror, over 90,000 square feet of immersive scare spaces, with over 65,000 attendees annually and over 350 staff on payroll, he’s proud to call Fear Factory home. When he has free time, he’s an avid Utah mountains lover, outdoors enthusiast, gardener, loving father, life coach and volunteer—and is often seen with a cup of chai in his hands.
Brad Weinstein, Newbridge
Unlocking Success: Proven Methods to Elevate Your Attraction’s Marketing & Branding (Sell More Tickets and Grow Your Audience)
Brad’s experience includes professional haunted attractions, The Walt Disney Company, Elitch Gardens Theme Park, Google, and world class advertising agencies in NYC. He loves to support the attractions and theme park industry and has taught numerous seminars on topics ranging from marketing, attraction design, to improving the guest experience.
Allie Webster, MadWorld Haunted Attraction
FrightTok Fundamentals- The Ultimate Guide for Business Growth on TikTok
Based in the upstate of South Carolina, Allie Webster has built a decade-long career at Madworld Haunted Attraction, where she started as a Special FX Makeup Artist. Her passion for horror and bringing life to the Monsters of Madworld drives her expertise in creating viral and engaging content on social media. With 10 years of experience in social media and marketing, Allie stays ahead of trends and transforms them into uniquely haunting, eye-catching content that skyrockets growth and social media presence.
Jim Werner
Frights & Insights: Mastering Haunted Attraction Safety
Jim Werner has over two decades of extensive experience in the haunted attraction industry, having held almost every role imaginable within the field. His deep understanding of the industry is complemented by a distinguished 24-year career in emergency services, which he has adeptly leveraged to champion and implement safety initiatives and training for haunted attractions nationwide.
As the incoming President of the Haunted Attraction Association, Jim is dedicated to elevating safety standards and fostering best practices across the industry. In his role as Operations Manager at the Pennhurst Historic Site and Haunted Attraction in Southeast Pennsylvania, he combines his expertise in both operational management and safety to ensure a thrilling yet secure experience for all visitors. Jim’s unique blend of hands-on industry experience and emergency services knowledge positions him as a pivotal figure in advancing the safety and success of haunted attractions.
Alex Woday, HellsGate Haunted House/Zombie Army Productions
Creating and Training Powerful Icon Characters for your Halloween Event
Alex is a leading actor at Zombie Army Productions in Lockport, IL. Starting at Statesville Haunted Prison in 2016 until it closed its gates in 2021, Alex created a persona otherwise known as “Sharky”, and through hard work, passion, and drive, has created a unique experience and name for herself in the haunted attraction community. She is one of the many entertainers/line actors, but also helps manage and maintain the front of house when needed, becoming the Assistant Front of House Manager at Statesville, presently still helping when needed at HellsGate. As a sort of jack-of-all-trades, Alex sometimes plays other icon characters such as one of the Twins of HellsGate, and she is a core Makeup Artist.