Volume 3, No. 10. May 23, 2003
Frightening alliance
It will be
a dark and stormy IAAPA Trade Show this year, and that’s a good thing.
The International Association of Haunted Attractions is in final negotiations
with the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions to form
an alliance that not only will provide an avenue for the two associations to
share educational efforts, but also would include the establishment of a dedicated
Dark Zone on the IAAPA Trade Show floor.
“We’re offering our members more options to further educate and communicate,
and that really is what it’s all about,” said Liz Foral, IAHA’s
current president. The move was approved by IAHA’s board of directors during
a special conference call two weeks ago, and Foral said most association members
seem to approve the move. “There are some of those who don’t like
change or going on to the next step. They’re comfy,” she said.
The move does not come without some controversy. IAHA has used the TransWorld
National Halloween Costume and Party Show for its primary trade show and education
forum, and uses that Chicago, Illinois, conclave as the setting for its annual
business meetings. That relationship is not ending, Foral said, or, at this
point, changing. “People say, ‘you’re trying to get rid of TransWorld’
No, we’re further educating our membership. We’re just taking the
next step.”
IAHA, a member organization of IAAPA, began exploring the potential of a closer
working relationship between the two organizations two years ago. At last November’s
IAAPA Trade Show in Orlando, Florida, IAAPA donated booth space to IAHA, and
IAHA stepped up it’s promotion of IAAPA among its membership. The trade
show experience proved a watershed moment for both entities.
“When we were there last year there was a real desire from their attendees
about building haunts, especially the international folks who wanted to know
a lot more,” Foral said. Meanwhile, IAHA received 400 leads, and boosted
membership 25 percent through the IAAPA trade show. “We kind of looked
at it more closely then and said, ‘Let’s go ahead and see if we can’t
have a joint effort to educate each other,'” Foral said.
How that education will be presented is not yet determined. At the least IAHA
will be able to do demonstrations on the trade show floor and have access to
meeting rooms and brown bag sessions. IAHA members, of course, can attend any
IAAPA seminar. The relationship has tremendous potential for both sides. The
haunters are seasoned experts in the business of haunts and scare tactics, and
IAHA offers its members exhaustive safety and operations manuals. IAAPA has
the amusement industry’s best training resources and expertise in all other
aspects of the attractions business.
Aside from the education aspects, the alliance’s most noteworthy development
is the promise of a Dark Zone at the IAAPA Trade Show. Many haunt vendors need
darkness to show off their wares, and TransWorld has provided such a space at
the back of its exhibit hall. By promising the same type of set up, IAAPA would
match TransWorld’s primary asset. On the other hand, IAAPA caters to vendors
who have nothing to do with Halloween, but everything to do with running an
attraction. “If you want to put a churro wagon in front of your house,
why not go to IAAPA?” Foral said. “I think it’s going to be really,
really worth it for vendors and haunters from small to large.”
THE LOOP is written and produced by Eric Minton, Minton Enterprises, LLC. To see more examples of Eric Minton's work and Minton Enterprises services, visit www.ericminton.com.
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