Thursday Seminars

• C.H.A.O.S. Safety Seminar

  Produced by The Haunted Attraction Association

  8:30am - 12:30pm

  Room 132

  HAA Members: $20, Non-Members: $75

  The Certified Haunted Attraction Operator Safety (C.H.A.O.S.) Program is the Haunted Attraction Association (HAA)’s safety certification course that is recommended to anyone running a haunted attraction. This 4 hour Fire & Safety seminar is mandatory for certification. Safety, liability concerns, fire marshal issues, and proper methods of building a safe event are keys to this seminar. The seminar also covers tragedies that have affected the rules and laws that now regulate the haunted house/entertainment/dark attractions today. Individuals must complete eight hours in order to receive their certification so four additional hours/credits/seminars are required for full certification. Once completed, you will receive a certificate to show the fire marshal, insurance carrier, and local authority to show your desire to run a safe haunted attraction. Each person must attend the 8 hours individually and hour credits are not shared between staff from the same haunt. Combining hours is not permitted. To be eligible for the HAA Top Haunts program, at least one staff member must have a current CHAOS certification. Several insurance companies in our industry now offer discounts for up to date certification of CHAOS certificate owners/operators. Effective March 2020, all CHAOS certificates are valid and current for three years. All previously issued CHAOS certificates will expire after March of 2023. Your dedication and certification in the C.H.A.O.S. program helps your event, and our industry, strive to be as safe, proactive and responsible.

  C.H.A.O.S. (this seminar goes towards 4 hours of your C.H.A.O.S. Safety Certification)

• The Nuts and Bolts of Nightly Operations at the 13th Gate

  Speakers: David Ferrell and Christi Ferrell, 13th Gate Haunted House

  Thursday 10:15am - 11:15am

  Room 124

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Members of The 13th Gate management team will take you behind the scenes for an in-depth look at how they operate a large haunted attraction each night. This workshop will include the following topics: Nightly casting Last-minute changes Opening on time Security & Safety Actor care & handling End of the night procedures

• Sponsorship Programs: Ultimate Guide to Capitalizing on Successful Partnerships!

  Speaker: Michael Book, Danger Run

  Thursday 11:30am - 12:30pm

  Room 124

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  The Ultimate Sponsorship seminar is developed for advanced attraction & event producers that are looking to add paid event sponsors to their event. In past seminars I have focused on building sponsor relationships for all levels of experience. This seminar is dedicated entirely to curating paid sponsorship opportunities for more advanced event producers. I will walk through a recent sponsorship curation process and provide photo/video samples that resulted from that sponsorship.

• Emerging Trends in the Haunted Attraction Business

  Speakers: Ben Armstrong, Netherworld Haunted House Chris Stafford, Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group TJ Mannarino, Universal Orlando

  Thursday 12:45pm - 1:45pm

  Room 124

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Don’t be left behind in the ever-evolving Haunted Attraction Business as it constantly transforms in our current economic climate. Join our panel of experts as they discuss how labor issues, marketing trends, new entertainment options, advancing technology, and customer expectations create unexpected opportunities and challenges for your attraction.

• Foundations of Fear: The Beginners Guide to Developing, Starting, and Sustaining Your Growth in Today’s Haunted Attraction Market!

  Speakers: Spencer Terry, Keith Sharp, Heidi Dunfield and Rob Dunfield, Fear Factory, Utah

  Thursday 12:45pm - 1:45pm

  Room 132

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  The nuts and bolts to developing, starting, and sustaining your growth in today’s haunted attraction market. Join Co-Owners Heidi Dunfield, Rob Dunfield, Keith Sharp, and GM/Equity Owner and H.A.A. President Spencer Terry, in a fast-paced, but detailed conversation, as they lay out a clear path of what you’ll need to be successful in starting a business in this industry, paving pathways for accelerated growth, and the tools they wish someone would have shared with them.

  C.H.A.O.S. (this seminar goes towards your C.H.A.O.S. Safety Certification)

• Hayrides Operations & Design: Creating Sustainable, Safe and Successful Events!

  Speakers: Randy Bates, Bates Entertainment

  Thursday 2:00pm - 3:00pm

  Room 124

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Scaring a wagon load of customers takes big sets and props, special effects and great acting. This hayride seminar will teach you how to get the big scares, how to entertain your customers while doing it in a safe manner.

  C.H.A.O.S. (this seminar goes towards your C.H.A.O.S. Safety Certification)

• The Terrifying Truth of Makeup Management: Running Your Team Like a Well Oiled Machine

  Speakers: Eddie McLaurin and the Woods of Terror Team

  Thursday 2:00pm - 3:00pm

  Room 132

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Efficiency is never by accident, it takes a lot of organization and planning! A proper makeup team is a large investment and just like any other haunt attraction expense, it is important to protect your investment! Join a team of professionals with 117 combined years of haunting who are ready to prepare you (and your team) to operate like a well oiled machine! This jam packed seminar will cover: Time management techniques How to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of your team Tempering expectations - knowing you have a time limit and so does your team. Goal planning and realistic outcomes Airbrushing vs latex what is the most efficient for your haunt Tricks and tips that will help your team achieve success

• Intro to Projection Mapping: Adding Layers of Magic!

  Speaker: Jorden Nash, Nash Creative, LLC

  Thursday 2:00pm - 3:30pm

  Room 127

  $85/attendee (pre-registration) $95/attendee (on-site registration)

  Ready to take your display up a notch? As Projection mapping and tech are rapidly taking off, don't get left behind! In this nuts-to-bolts class, we'll cover all the ins and outs of choosing the right projector, outlining your surface, content creation, and playback. We'll dive into Adobe After Effects and view a live demonstration on mapping and content creation. We'll also cover some techniques such as compositing, masking, and keyframing. Join us to learn how to make any surface come to life!

• Is it Possible? Can You Scare Your Customers without Actors?

  Speakers: Aaron Smith, Niles Haunted House Ed Terebus, Erebus Haunted House John Denley, Boneyard Productions

  Thursday 3:15pm - 4:15pm

  Room 124

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Haunt owners and customers love actors, but hiring, training and retaining them is one of the most difficult challenges for any attraction operator. Can you really scare and entertain your customer without actors? Our panel will discuss some of the best ways you CAN scare without actors, and how these techniques can help you survive in a tightening labor market.

• PANEL: Tech Tell All, Topics in Terror Technology!

  Panel: Ben Armstrong - Netherworld Haunted House Max Armstrong, Netherworld Haunted House Ed Gannon, Chambers of Terror, Salem, MA and Fright Kingdom Marco Dominic D'Andrea, Fear Columbus Mike Parpovich, HellsGate Haunted House

  Thursday 3:15pm - 4:15pm

  Room 132

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  What are some of the newest and coolest ways to use technology to shock and amaze your customers? How can you employ simple ideas in clever ways to really make things terrifying? Do you need a jolt of inspiration to logic through a tough controller problem you cannot crack? Our speakers will dive into some of their favorite equipment and techniques and open up some new ideas for you in the world of Terror Technology!

Seminars Sponsored By

Friday Seminars

• Deadly Distressing Costumes: Make it Ooze, Puss & Drip

  Speaker: Rob O' Brian, ResirWrecked Costumes

  Friday 10:15am - 11:15am

  Room 132

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Go beyond shredding fabric and slinging fake blood around. Level up to learn the techniques to make your costumes look gooey, puss filled, and burnt. Discover tips and tricks from a former theme park creative. All techniques come with step-by-step instructions, product recommendations, and ongoing garment care suggestions.This class is appropriate for all levels of interest. Time slotted for a Q&A sharing session.

  C.H.A.O.S. (this seminar goes towards your C.H.A.O.S. Safety Certification)

• Using Timed Ticketing and Other Ticketing and Operational Strategies to Maximize Revenue

  Speaker: Brett Bertolino, Vice President and Director of Operations Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc.

  Friday 10:15am - 11:15am

  Room 120

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Over the past three decades, the team at Eastern State Penitentiary has developed a successful mix of ticketing strategies that have transformed a single night Halloween fundraiser into one of the largest and most successful Halloween festivals in the country, with 99% of tickets sold in advance online. This seminar will explore timed ticketing, dynamic pricing, online and advanced purchase discounts, promotions, coupons, upsells, VIP experiences and other strategies that have proven to have a positive impact on the bottom line.

• Scare Them to Death with Powerful Sound and Lighting!

  Speaker: Shawn LeFever, Frightmare Farms Haunted Scream Park

  Friday 10:15am - 11:15am

  Room 124

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Proper sound and lighting design is essential to bringing your customers' experience to life! Join Shawn as he deep dives into the tech side of immersion and opens his play book of tips, tricks and techniques to wow your patrons! In this seminar, Shawn will cover: Importance of audio quality and how to get it right every time Building audio files and layering to create the proper ambience Synchronizing Audio and Lighting Automation: actor controlled scares Use DMX lighting for precision

• Learn From the Pros: How to Set Up and Tear Down Halloween & Christmas Events Lightning FAST!

  Speakers: Derek Dipasquale: Entertainment Manager (Six Flags Great Adventure) Brenda Gonzalez: Senior Production Supervisor (Six Flags Fiesta Texas) David Major: Entertainment Manager (Six Flags Great America)

  Friday 11:30am - 12:30pm

  Room 132

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Transitioning from Halloween to Christmas in just a matter of days can seem like an impossible task. Join industry masters from Six Flags as they cover: Developing and Executing Production Timelines Overall Install of the Events Cross Utilization of Teams Tips & Tricks Q&A and Discussion And more!

• From Ceiling to Floor: Room Designs to Die For!

  Speaker: Allen Hopps, Dark Hour Haunted House

  Friday 11:30am - 12:30pm

  Room 124

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Separate yourself from the competition with outstanding design that makes your haunt unique and memorable. Most haunts are the same, what makes a haunt stand out is the design principles and filters that are applied. This is a run down of the questions you need to ask yourself in order to give your guests the answers to their entertainment needs. Distill your vision, destroy the competition.

  C.H.A.O.S. (this seminar goes towards your C.H.A.O.S. Safety Certification)

• Beginning Silicone Mold Making and Resin Casting

  Speaker: Alex Lohmann, Reindeer Manor Haunted House

  Friday 11:30am - 12:30pm

  Room 120

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  For those who want to step into the world of silicone mold making and resin casting but have been a little hesitant, this is the class for you! Let Alex show you how to get started and we'll be covering basic silicone mold making, basic resin casting, how to calculate cost and volume and how to get the most of your materials. This topic is one that people often have some hesitation about attempting, Alex will show you how to get started so you can begin making pieces in bulk yourself.

• The 13 Secrets to Maximize Your Haunted Attractions Profits!

  Speaker: John Denley, Boneyard Productions International

  Friday 12:45pm - 1:45pm

  Room 124

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Let me show you how to monstrously squeeze more money out of your Haunted venue! The secret of the long-term success of your haunted attraction depends on your profitability. Let me show the secrets and steps to help you access and create new profit streams that you might be totally unaware of and ways of maximizing your existing revenue sources. Whether you are a haunted house, Hayride or Screampark, we’ve got you covered. We’re holding nothing back in this information packed class that will include the following and so much more! Let’s discuss how to properly price your event! This is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make! Learn how to design your event for profit. Don’t miss out, let’s plan everything out! Learn what sells and how to sell it! Let’s discuss how to seamlessly add big value to your show! Learn how to grow your show and increase your ticket price without increasing your payroll! How to avoid common mistakes that cause you big money or could even close you down! Learn how to make every interaction and sale point part of the overall experience! Each attendee will receive a list of guaranteed high profit retail and profit generating products!

• The Art & Science of Queue Line Acting

  Speakers: Scott Lynd (Tater), Froggy’s Fog Katie Lane Japes Palles Tiela Halpin-Moss, HellsGate Haunted House

  Friday 12:45pm - 1:45pm

  Room 132

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Delve into this panel where four experienced queue actors explain their approaches to creating a memorable character and how they utilize elements of psychology to provide an entertaining experience.

• Creating Worlds: Designing Your Attraction to Captivate Your Guests!

  Speakers: Jon Cooke and Ted Dougherty, Plague Productions

  Friday 12:45pm - 1:45pm

  Room 120

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Learn from Halloween theme park design experts on worldbuilding through compelling storytelling and effective strategies. Having worked in key creative capacities with some of the largest and most successful Halloween events in the world, these panelists will share insightful anecdotes, valuable case studies and useful tips that can realistically apply to haunts of all shapes and sizes. From location-based entertainment, immersive theatre horror experiences, independent attractions up to the mega haunts at theme parks, the ideas shared in this presentation will help your guests scream for more!

• Carving Your Foam Fantasy!!! A Haunters Guide to Foam Carving!

  Speakers: Jimmy Dilley, Creative Director / Nightmare on 13th Haunted House

  Friday 2:00pm - 3:00pm

  Room 124

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  As haunters, our ultimate goal is to create worlds that submerge our guests into our fantastical nightmares and there’s no material greater to do that than FOAM!!! In this Foam carving master class, we will take you from the basics of foam carving all the way through advanced tactics that will Wow and Amaze your guests! In this class, we will cover tools, materials, coatings, planning and execution! Whether you’re looking to sculpt a beautiful set or carve a giant monster this class will help you look at foam carving in a whole new light!

• How to Make a Monster! Getting the Most Out of Your Seasonal Acting Staff

  Speakers: Ben Armstrong and The Netherworld Team

  Friday 2:00pm - 3:00pm

  Room 132

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Your actors are the very lifeblood of your event, THE primary element that your guests are coming to see and you often have NO time to make them into the most absolutely terrifying creatures the world has ever experienced. This class will focus on how to maximize the impact of your acting staff by using the right equipment, the right training, the right support, and the right culture to make almost anyone into the best MONSTER that they can be!

• How to Incorporate Movie Quality Makeup into Your Attraction!

  Speakers: Michael Burnett, Frightnight Studios

  Friday 2:00pm - 3:00pm

  Room 120

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Special Makeup Effects Artist & Designer Michael Burnett will discuss materials and techniques your haunt’s makeup team can use to quickly create film quality makeup looks for your event. Michael will also discuss how to set up your makeup area so it runs safe & efficiently. Techniques and materials covered will include, silicone & foam prosthetics, Pros-aide Transfers, airbrush techniques, acrylic dentures, silicone masks and more.

  C.H.A.O.S. (this seminar goes towards your C.H.A.O.S. Safety Certification)

• Make Serious Money with Gift Shops, Food and Photos!

  Speakers: Billy Messina, Netherworld Haunted House Michael Jubie, Headless Horseman John Laflamboy, Zombie Army Productions and HellsGate Haunted House

  Friday 3:15pm - 4:15pm

  Room 120

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Haunted Attractions are becoming more like miniature theme parks everyday with extensive gift shops, food sales and souvenir photo redemptions. But these amazing new revenue streams do more than make money, they can add extra fun, create ongoing marketing opportunities and if done properly can significantly improve the overall guest experience. Learn some of the best ways to win big with these sales options from our knowledgeable panel of owners and operators.

• These Walls are DISGUSTING! 10 Quick Tips to Grime Up Your Haunted Attraction!

  Speaker: Teddy Summers, Dark Hour Haunted House

  Friday 3:15pm - 4:15pm

  Room 132

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Part of our job is to put customers in environments that not only make them uncomfortable, but just plain gross them out! Here are 10 Tips / Materials to do this quick and easy, because we all know Haunt Opening crunch time can be so unforgiving.

  C.H.A.O.S. (this seminar goes towards your C.H.A.O.S. Safety Certification)

• Adding Interactive Video to Your Display

  Speaker: Jorden Nash, Nash Creative, LLC

  Friday 3:15pm - 4:15pm

  Room 127

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Video elements are a great way to add fast, easy, and cheap interactivity to your show. Whether synced to a larger show, or a standalone element, video elements can offer a whole new level of engagement. In this class, we'll cover formats of video, TV's and projectors, waterproofing, file types, playback, and interactivity. Time permitting, we'll touch on projection mapping.

• Horror is Universal: Evolving the Nightmares of Halloween Horror Nights

  Speakers: TJ Mannarino and the Universal Orlando Team / Halloween Horror Nights

  Friday 3:15pm - 4:15pm

  Room 124

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Since 1991, Universal Orlando has been producing one of the most significant Halloween events in the world: Halloween Horror Nights. This ever-evolving experience transforms the theme park into a nightmarish realm, allowing guests to venture into a living horror film. Halloween Horror Nights success is attributed to Universal Orlando's Entertainment team. Responsible for developing dozens of themes, scare zones, and haunted houses, these nightmare makers have perfected the "spectacle in the scare." Featuring content from the most prominent horror intellectual properties as well as terrifying original stories and characters, Universal Studios Florida becomes the ultimate Halloween destination! The Universal Orlando team is excited to take the stage at TransWorld's Halloween and Attraction show and share how they continue to unleash new and unique horrors during this annual horror tradition.

Seminars Sponsored By

Saturday Seminars

• Haunts and Social Media: What Social Media Platforms are Relevant to Today's Attractions

  Speaker: Nicole Ginsburg, Frightmare Farms Haunted Scream Park

  Saturday 10:15am - 11:15am

  Room 120

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Marketing is magic...well, if you have the right mix! Social Media has become the life line for most haunted attractions, but the formula is constantly changing. Every year there is something new, emerging from the shadows and captivating your audience. It’s time to reveal the secrets and reap the benefits! In this seminar, Nicole will cover: Social Mediums - what's relevant, what’s coming down the pike Spend and Trends - where should your limited dollars be spent and how to create a buzz with pocket change Content - creative, creepy and captivating...how do you do it all? When to take the time to DIY or when it’s time to invest in talent! Join Nicole for this fast paced seminar that is ready to arm you with your social media needs for 2023!

• They Said It Was Impossible but We Proved Them Wrong! How to Train an Actor in 5 Minutes!

  Speakers: Bart Butler and Michael Edwards, Terror on the Corn

  Saturday 10:15am - 11:15am

  Room 124

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  The season is already in full swing... you’ve just hired another actor... and you are about to open the attraction for the night. Do you just throw them into a scene, tell them to “Have Fun”, then make a speedy exit to handle the next emergency? While we might all have been guilty of taking this easy way out, there are much better ways to prepare your actors before the attraction opens. AND... it only takes 5 minutes. Join Bart Butler and Michael Edwards from “Terror in the Corn” as they share their best practices when faced with this dilemma.

  C.H.A.O.S. (this seminar goes towards your C.H.A.O.S. Safety Certification)

• Build Terrifying Sets for Your Haunt!

  Speaker: Todd Fedyshyn, Co-owner / Reapers Revenge Haunted House

  Saturday 10:15am - 11:15am

  Room 132

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Providing an immersive environment to entertain our guest always starts with a conceptual plan and then implementation of a well thought out scenic design. Participants attending this seminar will be provided insight on how Reaper’s Revenge approaches building small and large sets for indoor and outdoor settings, that will stand the test of time. From inspirational drawings to infrastructure requirements, our approach will demonstrate how to design, and build sets the will awe your customers and provide a landscape of possibilities for your actors to terrify night after night.

  C.H.A.O.S. (this seminar goes towards your C.H.A.O.S. Safety Certification)

• Scaring Gen Z: How Do You Truly Terrify the Generation That Has Seen It All!

  Speaker: Allen Hopps, Dark Hour Haunted House

  Saturday 11:30am - 12:30pm

  Room 124

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  What do they want from entertainment and what do they need to experience in order to make them think your haunted house is bussin (that means good in GenZ speak). They have a different viewpoint and are a different audience and they can be given a different approach to make you keep an audience for the next 20 years. From little things to change to big things our industry has not considered, this is how you can make your haunted house standout.

• Massive Bang for the Buck! Creating a Quality Haunted Attraction with Minimal Square Footage!

  Speaker: Ed Gannon, Something Wicked Productions and Haunt Dawgs

  Saturday 11:30am - 12:30pm

  Room 120

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Do you have dreams of creating your own “Haunted Mansion” but only have the space of their Lobby? I’ll show you how to not only maximize what space you DO have, but also how to create an experience for your guests that even a larger show can’t deliver! We'll discuss how to boutique your scenery, actors, lighting, characters, story, all of it. I’ll demonstrate the balance between throughput and showmanship, which pays off in good reviews! In this day and age of instant feedback via social media; having your guests leave happy is more important than ever. Give them a good show in a smaller space and a personal experience they won’t forget, and it will put money in your pocket!

• Staffing Secrets: The Keys and Structure to Hiring, Retaining and Building a Team That is Loyal, Proud and Passionate!

  Speakers: Spencer Terry & Heidi and Rob Dunfield, The Fear factory

  Saturday 11:30am - 12:30pm

  Room 132

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  The keys and structure to hiring, retaining and building a team that is loyal, proud and passionate! Whether it’s your operations team, or your acting team, hiring the right people for the right job is key... but then what? How do you keep them coming back? Join Heidi Dunfield and Spencer Terry of Fear Factory SLC, as they unveil their tips to building a culture that everyone wants to work for!

  C.H.A.O.S. (this seminar goes towards your C.H.A.O.S. Safety Certification)

• How to Create 61 Scares in 60 Minutes!

  Speakers: Allen Hopps, Dark Hour Haunted House Ben Armstrong, Netherworld Haunted House Mike Henrie, Nightmare on 13th Haunted House

  Saturday 12:45pm - 1:45pm

  Room 124

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  So many scares in so little time! Join Ben, Allen and Mike as they blast through a veritable encyclopedia of some of the craziest shocks and most twisted scares ever packed into one seminar! Sharpen your pencil and get ready as you learn some of the best tried and true methods, new takes on the classics, and probably a few weird ones you have never seen before!

• Beyond Pinspots and Pneumatics: Ways to Make Your Show Come Alive!

  Speaker: Boston Petit, Dark Hour Haunted House

  Saturday 12:45pm - 1:45pm

  Room 132

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  With innovative tech products emerging into the industry yearly, most people have a base-line “plug and play” understanding of tech. During this class, I will be telling you how we can push the boundaries of the products we all know and love to create immersive, action packed environments. If you’ve ever wanted to know how to take your haunts’ tech to the next level and make your show truly come alive; This class is for you.

• Cashing In on Midway Experiences: Non-Traditional Revenue Ideas for Your Attraction!

  Speakers: John Eslich, Factory of Terror and Haunted Schoolhouse and Laboratory Alex Burgraff, Netherworld Haunted House Kyle Laflamboy, HellsGate Haunted House Moderated by Rich Bianco, TransWorld

  Saturday 12:45pm - 1:45pm

  Room 120

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Did you know the average person spends 5%-8% of their monthly income on entertainment? Well now you do…but how are you going to capture more than your ticket price from your customer each year? Join a panel of professionals that have been cashing in on this statistic for years! From paintball to escape rooms, themed bars to fun drinks, axe throwing to photo ops...even new events at your property! Bring your paper and pen because this crew is ready to flood you with ideas so good that your customers will be reaching into their pockets THIS YEAR!

• Use Natural Materials to Create Incredible Sets and Props: The Haunted Overload Way!

  Speakers: Niki Tracchia and Morgan Cameron, Haunted Overload

  Saturday 2:00pm - 3:00pm

  Room 120

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Niki Tracchia and Morgan Cameron of Haunted Overload present detailed methods and techniques for making original props, using all natural materials. Learn in depth secrets and step by step instructions to take your scenery to the next level, keeping your haunt looking unique and original. Including various useful ways to utilize natural resources to build authentic, affordable props and sets, and the benefits of intricate detailing, even in massive scenes. They will be discussing the value of documentation and sharing the behind-the-scenes build and progress throughout the year.

• How to Create Detailed and Ornate One of a Kind Additions to Your Costumes

  Speaker: Christopher DeTroy

  Saturday 2:00pm - 3:00pm

  Room 132

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Join Christopher DeTroy in this fast paced exciting seminar where we will learn how to take your characters costuming to the next levels of detail that will not only give your customers the shivers, but will bring your character to life. Start with a garment, tea dye it, shred it, but then what? Find out the next steps in this one of a kind seminar. Christopher has more than 35 years of professional haunt experience. His work with award-winning First of Fear in NY, 13th Hour Haunted House in NJ, and Shaqtoberfest in CA give him the edge in all things Halloween.

  C.H.A.O.S. (this seminar goes towards your C.H.A.O.S. Safety Certification)

• All About Service: The Best Techniques for Dealing with Unhappy Customers

  Speakers: Alex Burgraff, Netherworld Haunted House David Ferrell, 13th Gate Haunted House Nicole Ginsburg, Frightmare Farms Haunted Scream Park Moderated by Ben Armstrong, Netherworld Haunted House

  Saturday 2:00pm - 3:00pm

  Room 124

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  These days quality customer service is even more critical than it has been in the past with social media, economic tensions and labor challenges riling customers up before they even get to your event. Learn tried and true methods of de-escalation, staff training, and customer engagement that will help you turn angry guests into brand ambassadors!

• Horrifying Realism: The Nightmarish Set Painting and Detailing of Brian Demski

  Speaker: Brian Demski, Demski Creations

  Saturday 3:15pm - 4:15pm

  Room 132

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Dive into the macabre and gorey brain of Brian Demski and learn some of his tips and tricks relating to professional painting and set decorating. Topics covered will include the decision making process, including color choice, faux painting, and techniques for coordinating and developing your haunted attraction scenes.

  C.H.A.O.S. (this seminar goes towards your C.H.A.O.S. Safety Certification)

• PANEL: Frights & Lights on the Farm

  Panel: Yesterland Farm; Canton, TX (Chuck Bozeman & Freda Malone) McCall's Pumpkin Patch & Haunted Farm; Moriarty, NM (Kevin & Kirsten McCall) Cornbelly's; Lehi, UT (Logan Bench) Moderated by Brett Herbst, founder of The MAiZE Inc.

  Saturday 3:15pm - 4:15pm

  Room 120

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Come join this panel discussion, moderated by the founder of the nation's largest family of corn mazes & agritourism farms. Learn more about the increasing popularity of both Halloween and Christmas night-time experiences on agritainment farms with everything from haunted attractions and light shows to fireworks and holiday drive-throughs.

• Translating Views into Revenue Using TikTok Followers to Grow Your Business!

  Speaker: Jillian DeNamur, Zombae Undead (5.6M TikTok followers)

  Saturday 3:15pm - 4:15pm

  Room 124

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Decoding social media can be a daunting task, creating content and captivating your audience can feel like a foreign language. TikTok has catapulted to the forefront of social media and if your business doesn’t have one, it’s missing out on an audience seeking entertainment! This information packed seminar is for all levels of creators looking to: Grow your local audience Aligning the algorithm with the right connections Understanding trends Turn viewers into customers Create fun & themed videos Going “viral”... and much more!

Seminars Sponsored By

CHRISTMAS SEMINARS

• Scaling Your Light Business: "Don't Be Afraid to Grow" - Turn the Job That You "Own" into a True Asset!

  Speakers: David Felt, TUFF CLIPS Josh Trees, WeHangChristmasLights.com

  Thursday 9:00am - 10:00am

  Room 262

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Are you stuck in a never ending cycle that is lacking yearly growth? Do you own a job or a company? Are you on a ladder more than you are in the office? Join Josh Trees of WeHangChristmasLights.com and David Felt (From Russel Williams Co. and Tuff Clips) for a valuable discussion on how you can start to work ON YOUR BUSINESS not IN YOUR BUSINESS and develop a true asset that has the best possible valuation in case your exit plan is to sell someday.

• Event Lighting: Weddings & More: How to Make Your Clients Big Day Glow!

  Speakers: Kelle and Eryn McCarty, Delights of Christmas

  Thursday 10:15am - 11:15am

  Room 262

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

• Extending Your Season: How Adding Halloween Before Your Christmas Event Can Double Your Revenue!

  Speakers: Josh Trees, WeHangChristmasLights.com John Denley, Boneyard Productions

  Thursday 10:15am - 11:15am

  Room 263

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  How you can substantially increase profits in your Holiday Lighting business by adding Halloween Lighting, Effects, Decorations, Props and Animatronics to your current list of services.

• XLights: The Ultimate Overview!

  Speaker: Michael Stoffegren, Showstopper Sequences

  Thursday 10:15am - 11:15am

  Room 127

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  XLights has become the premier software for controlling RGB lighting displays. This is an overview of traditional uses for xLights. But xLights can do so much more and we will explore how it can control other protocols, devices, and why it can be used for any holiday lighting venue.

• Commercial RFQ's: Navigating the World of "Request for Proposals"

  Speaker: Stacey Jordan, Envirolume

  Thursday 11:30am - 12:30pm

  Room 263

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Have you ever received a 200 PLUS Page commercial RFQ (Request For Proposal) and began to cringe while going cross eyed rather than get excited about the opportunity? You’re not alone. These RFQ’s can be a little tricky...If not downright intimidating. Stacey Jordan has been in this industry for over 18 years and has been doing RFQ’s since she started as a sales consultant for Dekra-Lite Industries.

• Using Video Elements: Adding Levels to Your Show

  Speaker: Jorden Nash, Nash Creative, LLC

  Thursday 11:30am - 12:30pm

  Room 262

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Take your show to the next level! Video elements can offer a whole new level of engagement to your audience. In this class, we'll cover formats of video, TV's and projectors, waterproofing, file types, playback, projection mapping, and interactivity. Join us to get inspiration and see some of the amazing possibilities!

• Building a Commercial Drive Through Show That WOWS!

  Speaker: Tom BetGeorge, Magical Light Shows

  Thursday 11:30am - 12:30pm

  Room 127

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Drive-Through Christmas displays have exploded in growth over the last few years! This class will go over planning, design, programming, and logistics critical to success. If you’re considering delving into this lucrative world, this seminar will get you started on a path with confidence backed by the experience of one of the most in-demand programmers in the world.

• Twinkly Pro: What It Is and How to Use It

  Speaker: Paul Hayden, Reinders

  Thursday 12:45pm - 1:45pm

  Room 127

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

• Large Outdoor Events: Making Your Drive/Walk Thru Absolutely Magical This Year!

  Speaker: Tom BetGeorge, Magical Light Shows LLC

  Thursday 2:00pm - 3:00pm

  Room 262

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Come learn the most effective ways to make your commercial venue magical without breaking the bank! More lights and more programming doesn’t equate to a better experience. In this class we will go over lighting techniques, philosophies, effective props, and programming tools to make your commercial display amazing!

• 2 HOUR: Commercial Sales: Sales Techniques, Marketing Protocols, Contracts, Insurance, Target Markets and Contacts, Organization Participation and Benefits of Focusing on Growing this Division

  Speakers: Luke Jensen, Holiday Designs Josh Trees, WeHangChristmasLights.com Stacey Jordan, Envirolume

  Thursday 2:00pm - 4:00pm

  Room 263

  $110/attendee (pre-registration) $130/attendee (on-site registration)

  In the class we will be giving you a detailed glimpse into the expansive and exciting segment of Commercial Sales and Marketing. If you want to grow your business to its FULL potential then Commercial and Municipal business is a MUST! Learn FOOLPROOF ways to ensure Commercial and Municipal bid requests as well as techniques to close more deals! We will also discuss some of the not so glamorous side of things such as insurance necessities and the importance of keeping vehicle maintenance records.

• Intro to Projection Mapping: Adding Layers of Magic!

  Speaker: Jorden Nash, Nash Creative, LLC

  Thursday 2:00pm - 3:30pm

  Room 127

  $85/attendee (pre-registration) $95/attendee (on-site registration)

  Ready to take your display up a notch? As Projection mapping and tech are rapidly taking off, don't get left behind! In this nuts-to-bolts class, we'll cover all the ins and outs of choosing the right projector, outlining your surface, content creation, and playback. We'll dive into Adobe After Effects and view a live demonstration on mapping and content creation. We'll also cover some techniques such as compositing, masking, and keyframing. Join us to learn how to make any surface come to life!

• How To Recruit, Hire, Manage & Keep Good Seasonal Employees

  Speaker: David Felt, TUFF CLIPS

  Friday 9:00am - 10:00am

  Room 263

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Hiring employees is almost always one of the most daunting tasks when it comes to our industry. In this class we will discuss effective ways to not only hire GOOD QUALITY employees but also how to keep them! The teachers of this class have had hundreds of employees and know what it takes to get the good ones.

• Conquering Commercial Installations

  Speaker: Luke Jensen, Holiday Designs

  Friday 9:00am - 10:00am

  Room 262

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  In this 1-hour course we will walk through the basics of installing commercial décor such as tower trees, pole mount décor, 3D displays, greenery and more. We will also review common installation tools, tips, and tricks. We will save time at the end for Q&A.

• The Ultimate Guide to Tree Wrapping

  Speaker: Phil Sutter, Traditions

  Friday 10:15am - 11:15am

  Room 263

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Although trees can be difficult and time consuming, they add a lot to the magic of a display. Learn the different options for lighting small or large trees such as branch wrapping, canopy wrapping, or hanging decor. Dive into recommended products and techniques for all situations and discuss how to tackle extra large tree projects such as a 70ft evergreen.

• Keeping Your Spirits Up...and Bank Account While Making Your Business Glow!

  Speaker: Dan Platta, Blue Skies Services

  Friday 10:15am - 11:15am

  Room 262

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Scaling a business is a super sexy idea, but for anyone that has ever done it, or at least attempted to do it, they know all too well the financial trials and tribulations that one must overcome to be successful. In this talk I am going to lay out the proper way to set up the financial systems in your business so you can actually tell how you are performing and use that info to make effective decisions as you grow your business. We'll also dive into the potential financial pitfalls, the sticky points in your business growth cycle that I call “Purgatories”, and what a business should focus on to make it through those purgatories as profitably as possible.

• Magical Movements: Intro to Moving Heads

  Speaker: Jorden Nash, Nash Creative, LLC

  Friday 10:15am - 11:15am

  Room 127

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Adding movement to your holiday display will improve engagement with any audience. Moving heads are a great and simple way to attract attention, improve show visibility, and kick your show into high gear. In this class, we'll cover types and features of moving heads, installation and waterproofing, electrical connections, setup in xLights, and basic sequencing. Time permitting, we'll dive into using color, gobos, prisms, states, and 16-bit motion. Join us to get the ball rolling on your next big upgrade!

• Fall Protection Myths and Truths: Sloped Roofs vs Flat Roofs

  Speakers: Flent Ballantyne, President, Ballantyne Gear Steven Ballantyne, Managing Engineer, Ballantyne Gear

  Friday 11:30am - 12:30pm

  Room 263

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  In the last ten years, the technology of fall protection, especially on sloped roofs, has advanced tremendously. Whether you are on a shoestring budget or you want the most efficient system available, you need to know what works and what does not. Presentation will include: How to keep your people safe, on a dollar or a dime. The difference between fall protection and climb assist. (Don’t be fooled.) How is it easier to work safely and OSHA compliant at the edge of a one-story sloped roof, than it is to work safely and OSHA compliant at the edge of a one-story flat roof. How OSHA determines fall protection fines. (Up to $14,520 for first violation, and up to $145,027 for second violation or any willful violation.) Shared responsibilities and liabilities of Subcontractors and General Contractors for the safety of their employees (OSHA Multi-Employer Doctrine). Create goodwill, strong sales, and repeat customers; marketing your OSHA compliance and commitment to protecting your customers and your employees.

• The Art of Animation: Mastering Dynamic RGB

  Speaker: Erik Terklsen, Holidynamics

  Friday 11:30am - 12:30pm

  Room 262

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  In 2020, Holidynamics, Inc. introduced Dynamic RGB to the holiday lighting industry. It was designed to be simple, affordable, and interactive. Everything is controlled using a simple, radio frequency remote. The remote allows you to change colors (8) and functions (9). No app! No hassle! During this seminar, you will learn how to create amazing residential and commercial displays that are sure to wow all of your customers. From Dynamic RGB wreaths and garlands to tower trees and C9 bulbs, Holidynamics, Inc. has you covered.

• The Do's & Don'ts of RGB MegaTrees

  Speaker: Nick Johnson, Glimpses of Light

  Friday 11:30am - 12:30pm

  Room 127

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Do you want to incorporate a Mega Tree into your display? In this class you will learn about the different types of RGB Mega Trees available today, how to apply them in your display and learn what are the “do’s and don’ts” of Mega Trees.

• Basics to Setting Up xLights for a Commercial Display

  Speaker: Clyde Lindsey, Pixel Pro Displays

  Friday 12:45pm - 1:45pm

  Room 127

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Clyde Lindsey, the chief sequencer for Pixel Pro Displays will take a simple display and walk you through controller setup, model creation, and placing an effect onto the Christmas props. These are the basic building blocks to scale a display up from a simple tree to a mind-blowing revenue generating commercial installation.

• Best Social Media Marketing Practices: How to Reach Customers During Their Busiest Time of Year!

  Speaker: Nicole Ginsburg, Intrigue & Co./Frightmare Farms Haunted Screampark/Aster Farmstead/Blast CNY

  Friday 2:00pm - 3:00pm

  Room 263

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Tis the season for chaos & clutter...and that is just your customers' social media feeds! How do you stand out and grab attention during a time of year that everyone is posting jolly content? Join Nicole as she shares the ultimate guide to engagement and content to get your customers to take action during their busiest time of the year!

• Interior Decorating: Capturing the Spirit from the Start!

  Speaker: Stacey Jordan, Envirolume

  Friday 2:00pm - 3:00pm

  Room 262

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

• Creating Magic in the Sky: Drone RGB Light Shows!

  Speaker: Tom BetGeorge, Magical Light Shows

  Friday 2:00pm - 3:00pm

  Room 127

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  It’s a bird! It’a plane! It’s a 400’ Stay-Puft Marshmallow man made of drones! Drone show technology is quickly taking over events across the globe as a greener solution for large events! Come learn the basics on this exciting new technology by an internationally-renown award-winning drone show designer!

• 2 HOUR: Town Hall

  Speakers: TBA

  Friday 3:15pm - 5:15pm

  Room 263

  $110/attendee (pre-registration) $130/attendee (on-site registration)

  Here ye! Here ye! Come one come all to the grand finale Town Hall meeting at Transworld Christmas Installers Meeting. There are not any “dumb questions” at this open Q and A forum with a panel of experts to lead the discussion and give you input on any questions that you may have. There is no better time or place to get answers to questions that you have about this GREAT industry. Join us as we wrap up our informative conference and cover any questions that you may have come up with while attending the preceding classes.

• Adding Interactive Video to Your Display

  Speaker: Jorden Nash, Nash Creative, LLC

  Friday 3:15pm - 4:15pm

  Room 127

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Video elements are a great way to add fast, easy, and cheap interactivity to your show. Whether synced to a larger show, or a standalone element, video elements can offer a whole new level of engagement. In this class, we'll cover formats of video, TV's and projectors, waterproofing, file types, playback, and interactivity. Time permitting, we'll touch on projection mapping.

• Wholistic Christmas Design: Creatively Planning Your WHOLE Event!

  Speaker: Jeffrey Holmes, IWG Productions

  Saturday 10:15am - 11:15am

  Room 127

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Are you looking to bring the magic of the holidays to your venue but don't know where to start? Do you have an existing holiday attraction but feel the experience is starting to stale? In this class you will learn the creative and money-optimizing techniques of Master Planning your holiday attraction. Get a taste of the wide range of illuminated, fabricated, performative, and edible textures that work together to create a great guest experience. Led by principal designer, Jeffrey Holmes, attendees will take away actionable steps that you can use to create your grand vision before breaking it apart into digestible layers of annual growth.

• Commercial KISS: Best Practice to "Keep It Simple Stupid" with RGB Displays

  Speaker: David Peace, Experience Lights

  Saturday 11:30am - 12:30pm

  Room 127

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  The best animated lighting displays are multimedia productions combining elements from different industries, manufacturers, and technologies in an integrated, magical way. To execute well on a creative vision requires a mastery of numerous skills from various related disciplines. In this class you will learn some vital tips and tricks to growing and integrating new technology into your display, while maintaining manageability and honoring the principle of Keep It Simple, Stupid.

• Optimize Your Install: Best Practices for Efficient Holiday Deployment

  Speaker: Ryan Palmer, IWG Productions

  Saturday 12:45pm - 1:45pm

  Room 127

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Discover time & money-saving secrets from 25-year installation & rigging veteran, Ryan Palmer (IWG Productions) as he shares best practices for your holiday installation. Learn how to plan your install & strike schedule to maximize staff effeciency, discover the key tools needed in every 'golf-cart kit', and takeaway actionable insights on nurturing & supporting your crews to maximize output and reduce burnout. Ryan will share techniques and case-studies from his experiences technical directing and leading installations for the largest holiday installs in the country, including Busch Gardens ChristmasTown, Six Flag's Holiday in the Park, and more.

• Elevating Your Characters: Wearable and Portable RGB Props!

  Speaker: Nick Johnson, Glimpses of Light

  Saturday 2:00pm - 3:00pm

  Room 127

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Have you ever thought about adding animated lights as a wearable? A hat? A shirt? In this class you will learn how to add RGB lights to almost any article of clothing and create “wireless” wearables and portable props.

• The Business of Christmas

  Speakers: Zach Zweifel and Phil Sutter, Traditions

  Saturday 3:15pm - 4:15pm

  Room 127

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Zach and Phil walk you through their adventures of taking a hobby to a full time holiday lighting business. They have been through the whole process. From doing it on the side, quitting their jobs to go full time, developed the CRM, design, quoting, marketing.

Seminars Sponsored By

INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT SEMINARS

• Beyond Escape Rooms: Low Cost, High Return Ideas to Expand Beyond Your Escape Room Business Tomorrow

  Speaker: Carol Dalrymple, The Hallway Entertainment

  Thursday 10:15am - 11:15am

  Room 131

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  There are risks to any business but Escape Rooms face very unique ones! There are limits when it comes to repeat customers or even group sizes! Join Carol as she shares ideas AND action plans for expanding your business outside of escape rooms all of which you can implement tomorrow! Carol Dalrymple Speaker Bio: Carol is truly a born leader, a consummate creator, a thinker and a doer. She has a knack for dreaming up magic and bringing ideas to life, seemingly with a carefree wave of a wand. After earning her first sale as an independent creative in 2010, Carol has spent the past decade flourishing in a rewarding cycle of learning, teaching, growing, inspiring and entertaining others. Carol discovered her love of entrepreneurship and start-up culture during four years at CrowdRise before it was acquired by GoFundMe. After this acquisition, in 2017, Carol found passion and profit in the Escape Room industry where she honed her talent for conceiving immersive experiences for guests of all ages in the founding of The Hallway Escape. The Hallway Escape began with one Escape Room in April of 2017 in a rented 900 square foot space, from there the business grew to four Escape Rooms, including a kids only escape room by June of 2018. To date Carol and her team have designed over ten Escape Rooms and three Mobile Escape Games. Her game designs, game methodologies and other immersive entertainment experiences are enjoyed by countless consumers in her small town market AND by escape room owners across the United States and abroad. The Hallway Escape is now rebranded into The Hallway Entertainment and owns a 10,000 sq foot building on main street Port Huron, Michigan where her Escape Rooms have become just one in an ever-growing menu of choices for consumers to enjoy and for business owners to leverage in their own efforts to diversify. Today, Carol is available to you, through The Hallway Entertainment, as a partner in the success of your business. She will teach you how to think differently, encourage you to reach for more and find happiness through profiting from your passions.

• Lenses of Design: A Deep Dive Into Tools for Inventive Game Creation

  Speaker: Jono Naito, Intrigue & Co and DVC Games

  Thursday 11:30am - 12:30pm

  Room 131

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  What makes a game or interactive experience new and exciting? Let's have a no-stone-left-unturned discussion about experimenting with the next big thing, and how to figure out when you are headed in the right, or wrong, direction. Featuring tales of design success and folly from the past five years and an enormous array of resources to jumpstart or revisit your escape rooms, scavenger hunts, murder mystery parties, and more, take this chance to dig into the nuts and bolts of why, and how, our customers play what we make. If you have ever joined Jono before this talk focuses on a new set of Lenses that span escape rooms, interactive theater, fear-based games, large event experiences, and murder mysteries. Jono Naito Speaker Bio: Drinking hot chocolate in the snowy lands of Syracuse, NY, Jono Naito focuses on discovering, remixing, and inventing new ways to play in a vast number of mediums. From nearly a decade of escape room designs found across the country, to the interactive adventures of the Museum of Intrigue, to award-winning board games and writing for RPGs, Jono has had the opportunity to bring skills from across several different industries together to experiment and have fun. Jono holds degrees in organic chemistry and fiction writing, and has been programming puzzles, wiring props, building sets, and designing graphics as a singular creative force that is always seeking the next adventure.

• 42 Tips, Tricks and Secrets Every Business Should Know!

  Speakers: Deanna Flemming, Michael Goff and Aaron Tierney / Mystery Mansion Escape, Escape Unknown, and Escape Tuscaloosa

  Thursday 12:45pm - 1:45pm

  Room 131

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Tips, tricks and secrets can take years to acquire, but in interactive entertainment speed, accuracy and creative solutions can be the difference of 200K and 700K in sales! Join Deanna, Michael and Aaron as they share a carefully curated list from top operators across the industry. This seminar will go beyond the simple and give you in depth advice that can only come for years to decades of successful operation!

• Leveling Up Your Escape Room: A Case Study

  Speakers: Zoltan Papp, Zoltopia and clueQuest Jared Dauenhauer, The Puzzling Company Podcast and Multiple Escape Rooms

  Thursday 2:00pm - 3:00pm

  Room 131

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Ever wondered how to make your ER business stand out from the crowd? In this case study we’ll show you what it takes to level up your escape room using the real life example of Murfreesboro Escape Rooms (Tennessee). We will take you through the process of how we identified the challenges, how we created a plan using those findings and how we implemented the plan to take this business to it’s next level of success. Jared Dauenhauer Speaker Bio: Jared Dauenhauer - Several years under his belt in the escape room industry. Owner of the Puzzling Company podcast with over 1,000 listeners every month and owner of several escape room businesses stretched over three states. Zoltan Papp Speaker Bio: Zoltan Papp - Owner of Zolitopia a business consulting service for escape room owners and co-owner of the UK’s longest running escape room clueQuest which had close to half a million customers already and has over 6,000 five star reviews.

• PANEL: Interactive Industry Overview - How Creative Can Translate into Cash! When to Jump In, When to Jump Out!

  Panel: Dwayne Sanburn / 13th Gate Escape and 13th Gate Haunted House Nicole Ginsburg / Intrigue & Co, Frightmare Farms Haunted Scream Park and NMG Industries Brian Vinciguerra / Cracked It Escape Games and BackDroppz Selfie Spot Amy Philip / Escape Games PDX, paradigmQ Escape and Firehouse Axes Moderated by Marty Parker of Bicycle Spin Art (and much, much, more)

  Thursday 3:15pm - 4:15pm

  Room 131

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  It’s no secret that there are so many opportunities to diversify within the Interactive Entertainment Industry. Whether you are thinking about getting into something new or want to hear what has worked, what didn’t work...or even what might be coming next, this is the seminar for you! Join owners who collectively, have *almost*, explored it all! From Axes to Paint & Sip, Selfies Stations to Haunted Attractions, Smash Rooms to Gel Ball, Escape Rooms to Large Scale Events/Runs/Immersive Experiences - this panel has something for everyone!

• Universal's Great Movie Escape: Story is the Adventure

  Speakers: TJ Mannarino and the Universal Orlando Team / Halloween Horror Nights

  Friday 10:15am - 11:15am

  Room 131

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Created by the same masterminds behind some of Universal Orlando's most exciting and innovative entertainment, Universal's Great Movie Escape features two distinct cinematic escape adventures. Universal's Entertainment team partnered closely with filmmakers and escape room industry experts around the country to create innovative experiences beyond the typical escape room. Blending state-of-the-art challenges and detailed sets, guests will engage in immersive, story-driven adventures that will surround them with blockbuster films like never before. Universal Orlando's Entertainment Team will give a behind-the-scenes journey into the creative development process behind the park's first-ever interactive escape experience!

• Adding Interactive Entertainment to Your Existing Facility

  Speaker: Nicole Ginsburg, Intrigue & Co. and Frightmare Farms Haunted Screampark

  Friday 11:30am - 12:30pm

  Room 131

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Thinking of adding something new? Want to add more WOW? Looking to cash in on another concept? This is the seminar for you! From adding an overlay experience to full blown installations, Nicole will take you through the process of what “cart” to attach your brand to! This seminar is designed to help you narrow your options and focus on what is going to make you more money - fast! For over a decade Nicole has been in the interactive entertainment industry, with a focus on fun and profitable experiences for the whole family. Nicole will open her playbook and get down right honest on first hand experiences - both successes and failures! Attendees will walk away with a firm grasp on when to expand, what to add and when to execute it all. It’s time to maximize your time, real estate...and profits! Nicole Ginsburg Speaker Bio: Nicole Ginsburg is a serial entrepreneur who loves to have fun as much as she loves to create it! After half of her life on stage, film, television and radio - Nicole set her sights at being financially independent at a very young age. She started her first business at 15 years old and hasn’t stopped creating since! Her resume is over two pages and keeps growing each year! She holds a degree in marketing from Columbia which she has used to catapult her interactive businesses into the forefront of her industries. Her current portfolio includes: Intrigue & Co, Frightmare Farms Haunted Scream Park, Aster Farmstead & Market, Blast CNY and more! Nicole’s work often catches the attention of media outlets and has been featured in, PURE, NY Times, USA Today, Parks & Attraction Magazine as well as local and regional outlets. Nicole has presented at educational institutions, universities, and conferences on topics ranging from young entrepreneurship to surviving zombie outbreaks. Nicole juggles many professional roles on a daily basis. Her favorite role is wife to her super supportive husband, Jeremy and mom to her quick witted, very busy, young twin boys!

• PANEL: One Size Does NOT Fit All: Strategies From Diverse Escape Room Markets To Instantly Boost Your Business

  Panel: Melissa Eapen, Improbable Escapes, ON, Canada Brendon Harbron, The Escape Room USA, OH/IN Tamara Bertrand, NW Escape Experience, WA Javi Kalback, Portsmouth Escape Room, NH / Ingenious Escape Games, ME Moderated By: Zoltan Papp, Zoltopia and clueQuest, United Kingdom

  Friday 12:45pm - 1:45pm

  Room 131

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Marketing your business is hard! There is NOT a One Size Fits All method...but there is a panel of experts who are ready to tell all! What worked? What was a total bust? There isn't a unique winning formula as markets vary so much. From small to large cities, East to West coast, one to many locations - Canada, USA and even the UK! Get ready to learn marketing and advertising strategies from a panel of experienced Escape Rooms Owners from all over the world! Bring your questions for a Q&A with the attendees at the end. Melissa Eapen Speaker Bio: Melissa’s professional and personal journey is a great example of what happens when you merge the power of creativity, the love for business, and the thirst for adventure into one. An established business owner, international traveler, passionate adventurer, and inspired creative, Melissa is always on the lookout for ways she can continue to inspire, empower and encourage others. She is one of the co-founders of Improbable Escapes; heading into its 8th successful year. Brendon Harbron Speaker Bio: Brendon Harbron is the Chairman of the Escape Room USA with four locations in Indiana and Ohio (his spouse Jennifer is CEO and runs the daily operations) he also is a partner with Escape Room Holdings with location in Nebraska, Missouri and Michigan. In his daily work he serves as a Managing Director for RBC Wealth Management in Indianapolis, Indiana. Brendon is passionate about gaming not only in Escape Rooms bit has a collection of over 300 board games. He enjoys talking about finance, marketing and game design in the escape room industry. Tamara Bertrand Speaker Bio: Tamara Bertrand has co-owned with her husband, NW Escape Experience in Vancouver WA since 2016. Her escape room business is well known as the escape room where a burglar got trapped and had to call 911 on himself to get out (yes this really happened). Tamara prides herself on her community involvement and never says no to a donation request when it comes to nonprofits. Her and her team work each year with a local school on an alternative learning project where students create business plans, marketing plans, and budgets then design their own mini escape rooms based off those plans. She’s always willing to share her highs and lows when it comes to being an entrepreneur. Tamara enjoys traveling and spending time with her family. She is also pretty fond of her fur babies, Ruby and Ripley. Javi Kalback Speaker Bio: Javi Kalback is a serial entrepreneur, IT professional and proud owner of six businesses. She designs, builds and manages two successful escape rooms (Portsmouth Escape Room in NH and Ingenious Escape Games in Maine) and has been in business since 2015. Javi is a powerful voice in the escape room industry as well as her local business community, using her positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage other business owners to help and learn from each other. In her free time, Javi enjoys traveling, meeting new people and playing as many escape rooms as possible. Zoltan Papp Speaker Bio: Zoli is the co-founder and former CEO of clueQuest, the UK’s longest running Escape Room with an international team of 40+ people and close to half a million customers under their belt. clueQuest games were also shortlisted for the TERPECA award several years in a row. He founded Zolitopia in 2021 a consulting service for escape room owners to share his knowledge from the ten years he spent in the ER industry. He helped many owners around the world already with streamlining their operations, running successful marketing campaigns, rebranding their businesses and more.

• Monetizing Mobile Events: How Events, Fairs and Off-Sites Bring in the BIG BUCKS While Creating Lifelong Customers!

  Speakers: Aaron and Jessica Souza, Extreme Escape Redding and Timberlords Axe Throwing Range

  Friday 2:00pm - 3:00pm

  Room 131

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Is your business a brick and mortar, mobile or both? Aaron and Jessica have quickly adapted to the ever changing climate of the entertainment businesses they own. While they previously were firm footed on never doing mobile events they have learned all the ins and outs of mobiles and how these off site events can catapult your brick and mortar businesses in entirely new ways. Are you looking for new ways to market your business? Still trying to make a footprint and stand out in your community? Do you have what it takes to lock in local events to long term contracts? Looking for a way to feed your business financially and flood it with new customers? Want to join the off-site world but don’t know where to get started? Aaron and Jessica Souza Aaron and Jessica Souza will provide you with all the answers and tools to be successful in off-site events as well as hitting on topics such as: How to approach a fair with the concept of having you added to their line up. Pros and Cons of taking on various events. Managing the insurance requirements to go mobile. How to capitalize on making even more at your events. Managing staffing throughout the events. Ways to maximize your marketing. Benefits of taking the leap to off-sites. How to adjust your presence and impact based on the size/capacity of the event. Learn how to step outside your brick and mortar without breaking the bank.

• The Do’s and Don’ts of Running and Building a Successful Escape Room Operation!

  Speaker: John Denley, Escape Room International

  Friday 3:15pm - 4:15pm

  Room 131

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  The escape room business is evolving! With more competition popping up, let John show you how to stay ahead of the pack! He will bombard you with years of information and sources that will help you climb and/or stay on the cutting edge of the escape game industry. This seminar will cover the topics below and so much more. What you can expect: What to look for in a location and how to network with existing businesses! The Theme or game design you select can make or break you! Let me show you some great examples. Presentation is key! Let’s discuss easy but necessary tactics to succeed and have the image you want to project! Let’s discuss great gameplay and just what is the “perfect “escape room experience? Let’s discuss puzzle types to avoid and how to achieve the perfect mix! Remember, it should be a fun experience, not frustrating! Let’s achieve a truly immersive experience! I will show you how! Let’s discuss how to give your establishment longevity and how to make you more money! Whether you are just entering the industry or are a seasoned professional, John will have information, trusted supplier lists and time-tested examples of how to make your show the one everyone is talking about! John is here to help you avoid common pitfalls right out of the gate. You can’t afford to miss this class! Speaker Bio: John Denley is the founder and president of Escape Room International. He has designed, built and consulted for many major theme parks around the world. Mr. Denley designed the new Terminator and Bill & Ted’s Escape rooms and specializes in turnkey installations. He is a highly sought-after consultant and designer in the escape room industry and has been featured on the Today Show, CNN, Fox and well as Psychology Today, Boston Business Journal, Scholastic Magazine and other international press. His clients range from American Movie Classics, Disney Resorts & Six Flags to Norton “Antivirus” Utilities and is known for his highly detailed and immersive attractions.

• You're Spending Too Much on Tech!

  Speaker: Ian Scrimger, Independent Consultant

  Saturday 10:15am - 11:15am

  Room 131

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Have you found yourself wanting to level up your tech? Do you have trouble understanding how your props work together? Would you like to find out if you're buying too many for your projects? Twelve volt technology provides the magic behind the industry. Don't you wish you knew how to put it together? Let me teach how to use relays and some computer science design to maximize your controllers. Ian Scrimger Speaker Bio: The: Jack of all Trades, Master of Fun! Interested in puzzles from a young age, Ian has spent his life unknowingly preparing to be in the escape room industry. After finishing service with US Navy Intelligence and receiving his Bachelors, Ian spent some time as a professional animator. In 2017, Ian joined the family business, Mystery NH. It was there where he would spend the next two years learning the industry and eventually begin designing. Escape rooms provided a creative outlet with seemingly endless possibilities. With a natural aptitude towards programming and a background in show production, soon this job became a career as Ian continues to find success as an independent consultant. When Ian's not on the job, he enjoys gaming, playing music, or hanging out with the cats.

• Selfie Museums are Booming! Here’s How You Can Cash In! Add Revenue to Your Seasonal Attraction or Escape Room

  Speakers: Brian Vinciguerra, Cracked It Escape Games/BackDroppz Selfie Spot Luke Almond, Candid Escapes

  Saturday 11:30am - 12:30pm

  Room 131

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  If you own or are thinking of starting a seasonal attraction or escape room business, then selfie booths may be a great way to add revenue. Selfie booths are growing in popularity and can be a lot of fun for guests. They are also a great way to promote your business and keep guests engaged between activities. Imagine being able to increase your bottom line just by adding a few selfie stations around your existing business! Selfie museums are a hot new trend that is low barrier to entry and high ROI. You can easily add selfie museum sets and backdrops as a ticketed attraction while customers are awaiting entrance to your main event whether that is a haunt, christmas or escape room attraction. Private and birthday parties will be clamoring to book your selfie booth, and you can upsell combo ticketed events for even more revenue. Best of all, selfie museums are self-monitored, so you don’t need to worry about extra employees. Add a selfie museum to your business today and watch your profits soar! Brian Vinciguerra Speaker Bio: Brian Vinciguerra is the founder of Cracked It Escape Games in Midway Park, NC. He is also the owner and creative director of BackDroppz Selfie Spot a selfie studio co-located with Cracked It Escape Games. Brian is a retired Marine and avid DIYer. Self taught in the ways of hammer and nail and a wantrapreneur. Having dabbled in business for over 20 years Brian, along with his children, decided to do it for real and opened Cracked It Escape Games in January 2016. He threw caution to the wind in July of 2016, leaving a lucrative position with the United States Government to live hand to mouth as a business owner. Brian and Cracked It Escape Games have seen it all. A two-time world champion disaster survivor, they have managed to come out on top no matter what life has thrown their way. The company was destroyed by a Hurricane in 2018 only to be rebuilt stronger than ever - and then came the global pandemic. Somehow, they managed to escape relatively unscathed and are now back with a vengeance. Brian’s success in the immersive entertainment industry has been amplified by having his children Nix and Alyson embedded in the business since its founding. They are the rudder that steers the ship. When the captain wants to go off course, they are there to correct the course and point us back in the right direction. A man of many talents. He loves to dream up wild and new business ideas, but sometimes finds out that they’re not such a good idea after all. Leaning on the leadership traits and principles earned in 20 years in the Marine Corps, he’s learned from his mistakes, and now shares his hard-earned knowledge with others as a part-time business coach and mentor at his local small business center. Despite his perceived failures, he still tries his hand at new business ventures - he can’t help it! He’s always looking for the next big thing. And who knows? Maybe this time will be the one that pays off... Luke Almond Speaker Bio: Luke Almond has been in the entertainment industry since he was a teenager. He started as an actor in haunted houses and worked his way to later become a trainer to Operations Manager. He then started creating and developing characters, storylines and games for themed seasonal venues for a few years until he opened his own Escape Room in Charlotte, North Carolina in 2018. This allowed him to further hone his craft as he developed a platform for more intricate, challenging and fun games for his clientele. Over the years, Luke opened two more escape room locations that later included a selfie museum and a fully interactive live game show. He is credited to have conceptualized and developed 15 original themed escape rooms in the last five years. He also built and operated selfie museums in two locations and continues to research, conceptualize and innovate, mixing modern and proven technologies and methodologies, in developing games for all ages and various skill levels.

• You Are the Staffing Problem: How to Find, Hire, Train and Retain Top Talent

  Speaker: Amy Philip, ParadigmQ Corporation: Escape Games PDX, paradigmQ Escape Games, and Firehouse Axes

  Saturday 12:45pm - 1:45pm

  Room 131

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  How to source, hire, train and retain top talent so your company can thrive. Staffing is typically the hardest part of running a company and one of the highest expenses in your business. In the end, it all comes down to you and what you can control. Once you accept that, the process gets easier (but it's never ending-just be prepared)! After 10 years in HR and Recruiting for a Fortune 500 company, and then 8 years of owning her own company, Amy has learned a lot, hired a lot, fired a lot, and while it can still be a struggle, Amy now has the best team she have ever had and will ready to share how she got here! Amy Philip Speaker Bio: Amy Philip has been in the Escape Game world since 2014 and opened her first location in 2015 in Portland, OR. She expanded to a second location in 2019 in her hometown of Vancouver, WA with paradigmQ Escape Games and then most recently opened Firehouse Axes, the first axe house in Vancouver, WA. She loves traveling, trying new foods, baking, and spending time with her friends and family and her favorite pup, Truman.

• Larger Sales: Adding to Your Day-to-Day Revenue with Corporate, Schools and Groups!

  Speaker: Benito Suppa, Durham Escape Rooms

  Saturday 2:00pm - 3:00pm

  Room 131

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Have you ever wanted to make an extra couple thousand dollars in revenue in one time slot? How about getting Schools to book end of year trips with you? Using the last 7 years of experience, Benito has curated ways to land those larger corporate clients, schools and groups that have generated repeat business with them, even annually! Join Benito as he deep dives into different strategies that have worked for him in getting those clients to come to them versus competitors or entertainment facilities. From strategic partnerships, to sales, he will cover how to get set up and go after these clients and land them the first time!

• PANEL: There is a Storm Brewing... Is Your Business Prepared to Survive?

  Speakers: Brian Vinciguerra Deanna Fleming Benito Suppa Javi Kalback Moderated by Jess Souza

  Saturday 3:15pm - 4:15pm

  Room 131

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Is your business ready to ride the economic tidal wave that is coming down the pipeline? Entertainment is said to be recession proof...but there are some key elements that are needed to survive. Join a panel of owners that have been through all sorts of survival scenarios and are ready to share how to ride the wave and survive the "storm"!

EVENT REGISTRATIONS

• Flamingo Bowl Happy Hour!

  Wednesday 4:00pm - 7:00pm

  Flamingo Bowl, 1117 Washington Ave (Just up the street from the America’s Center)

  PRE-SHOW: $60 Non-HAA Members | $45 for HAA Members ON-SITE: $75 Non-HAA Members | $60 for HAA Members

  (You must be an HAA Member prior to January 27th 11:59pm CST in order to receive HAA member pricing) Get a head start on seeing friends, networking, and blowing at the all new WELCOME BACK MIXER!  Join TransWorld and the Haunted Attraction Association (HAA), as we take over the Flamingo Bowl for Happy Hour! Enjoy pizza, a salad  and appetizers (chicken tenders, cocktail smokies and veggie spring rolls). One drink ticket is included in your with you ticket. A cash bar is available… Best of all, the highest bowling score of the evening wins a full year HAA membership!  Current 2023 HAA members saves you  $15 , off the  admission for this event.  Don’t miss out on starting this weekend off on the right foot!

• TransWorld’s Networking Night Out!

  Wednesday 7:30pm - 10:30pm

  Holiday Inn – Ballroom

  $60/attendee (pre-registration) $80/attendee (on-site registration)

  This is a networking event that you don’t want to miss! Networking table topics will cover all industries (Halloween, Haunt, Christmas, Interactive Entertainment and more)! Join the TransWorld Advisory Boards and other attraction owners as TransWorld hosts a night full of networking with relaxed and productive roundtables. This is not your normal party – this party was created with your needs as an attraction owner in mind!  This event is designed to expose you to individuals in all phases of business to make connections and share information! Here’s how it will work: Each table will have a set of topics (yes, you will change throughout the night); you freely join a topic table that interests you and your business, ask questions, get answers and build business relationships with operators just like you! Ticket Includes : Hamburger sliders Cheeseburger sliders Grilled chicken sliders House-made chips with dip Mozzarella sticks There will also be a Cash Bar all evening long! Please note food will only be served from 7:30pm-9:30pm Networking table topics will cover all industries (Halloween, Haunt, Christmas, Interactive Entertainment and more!*) and will include (but not be limited to) the following topics: Marketing Getting Started in the Industry Day to Day Business Scenic and lighting design Tech Talk Customer Service Booking Software and Ticketing Corporate and Special Events Puzzle & Game Design Ask The Expert Immersive Environments Expansion Management and Employees Buying and Selling Partnerships and Collaborations Open Conversation    *Each table will have 1-3 topic-specific facilitators who will keep the conversation focused. Seating is extremely limited so register ASAP! Sponsored by TicketLeap

• City Museum Party

  Thursday 8:00pm - 12:00am

  City Museum, 750 N 16th St.

  $50/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  The always popular City Museum party is back and is completely private! Come have fun with friends and fellow attendees, we will have the museum all to ourselves! Your ticket includes your choice of a hotdog or a large hot pretzel (if you purchase tickets on or before January 27th), which will be served at Cop Out Food (on the 2nd floor). DJ Psych Jam from Basement of the Dead playing music in Architectural Hall 8 pm-12 am Cash bars will be available in several locations from 8pm-12am. Please note that the Early Bird Pre-Show Discounts for City Museum will end  Friday, January 27th 11:59 CDT. Online registration will remain open after that date at the full on-site show pricing at $65. No exceptions on pricing can be made after the cutoff date so please purchase your tickets in plenty of time before the cutoff date. Sponsored by FearWorm Hauntvertising

• Flamingo Bowl After Party

  Friday 5:30pm - 7:30pm

  $75/attendee (pre-registration) $90/attendee (on-site registration)

  This is the A La Carte option for The Flamingo Bowl After Party. This After Party is also included in the $395 Holiday Lighting Installer Series package. After party at the Flamingo Bowl (just up the street from the Convention Center!) Friday 5:30pm – 7:30 pm Open bar featuring domestic draft beer, wine and well drinks for two hours Pizza, quesadillas, chicken tenders and meatballs Bowling!

• New for 2023 from the Producers of Vampire Circus : The Asylum

  Friday 7:30pm - 9:15pm

  Ferrara Theatre in America’s Center

  PRE-SHOW: $50 General Admission | $60 for Premier seating ON-SITE: $65 General Admission | $75 Premier seating

  Act One 7:30pm – 8:15pm Intermission 8:15pm – 8:30pm Act Two 8:30pm – 9:15pm This live show is a crazy journey through an Asylum run by a mad doctor and tells a visual tale of the motley collection of off-the-wall occupants. As the trapped freaks and fringe performers become unhinged before your eyes, this extraordinary circus comes alive! The Asylum Circus is a visual vortex set in a twisted acrobatic fantasy universe where, little by little, chaos and craziness give way to a true celebration!

• TransWorld’s Christmas Show presents: Let It Glow... Let It Glow... Let It Glow!

  Friday 8:30pm - 12:00am

  Magnolia Hotel – Ballroom

  $60/attendee (pre-registration) $75/attendee (on-site registration)

  The stockings are hung and the tree is trimmed, everything is set for the season to begin… you have worked so hard, now it’s time to raise the bar. Previous parties have been such a hit, for this year... Let’s Get Lit! Just as you take your business to the next level, this year’s TransWorld Christmas Show celebration is less about snow but ALL ABOUT THE GLOW! This party is about getting down to great music, good food and networking with industry friends and colleagues. Pack your neon or wear all white – this event will be glowing all night! Featuring the following from 8:30 pm – 10:30 pm: Slider Station: Burger Sliders and Mini Chicken Sliders Grilled Chicken,& accompaniments Fry & Tot Station: Tots, Fries, Ketchup, Mustard, Cheese Sauce, Bacon, Pico de Gallo, Pickled Jalapeno, Scallions Cash Bar Sponsored by Holiday Outdoor Decor

• The Masquerade (an interactive adventure mystery)

  Saturday 7:00pm - 9:30pm

  BLT’s, 626 N 6th St., just a couple of blocks from the America’s Center

  $60/attendee (pre-registration) $75/attendee (on-site registration)

  Are you ready for an adventurous night out? Are you up for this year’s newest challenge? Join Intrigue & Co for an adventure of high society and deep betrayals! Get ready to solve puzzles, gather information and fool your way close enough to the target to strike! Join your new friends from across the industry for an evening of merry mischief… if you can trust them! Full details of this event will remain top secret, so sign up now to get your spot in our most intriguing and dastardly adventure yet! BLT’s Signature Taco/Nacho Bar: Tortilla Chips Corn & Flour Soft Tortillas Ground Beef Shredded Chicken Sautéed Onions & Peppers Queso Black Beans Shredded Cheddar Shredded Lettuce Pico de Gallo House-Made Salsa Sour Cream Rice Fountain sodas and iced tea are included with your entry Cash Bar Sponsored by TicketSpice

• TransWorld Presents: DEAD MAN’S PARTY – A Zombified Costume Ball

  Saturday 8:00pm - 1:00am

  America’s Center – Ballroom

  $40/attendee (pre-registration) $55/attendee (on-site registration)

  As TransWorld’s Halloween & Attractions Show winds down, it’s time to crawl out of your grave, put on your fetid finery, join your horde and shamble on over for a Dead Man’s Party! Join your fellow grave ghouls and rancid revenants for an evening of undead entertainment as we look forward to the upcoming Season of Screams with eager anticipation! Join us for a live DJ ( DJ Psych Jam from Basement of the Dead), dancing, drinks (cash bar), appetizers ( Beef Wellington, cheese quesadillas, chicken satay and  spring rolls with   assorted desserts), and more (food served from 8:00pm-10:00pm)! This is your chance to party with haunters from around the world and celebrate the end of another successful show. Costumes and creative attire ARE ALLOWED and encouraged (but not required) as you party the night away at the final celebration of the 2023 Halloween & Attractions Show! Tickets are limited, and when they’re gone… they’re gone! You won’t want to miss this ultimate Halloween party as it only happens once a year! It’s a Dead Man’s Party – who could ask for more? Sponsored by FCIS Specialty Insurance and TicketSpice

TRANSWORLD HOLIDAY LIGHTING INSTALLER SERIES

• TransWorld Holiday Lighting Installer Series

  Thursday & Friday

  $395/attendee (pre-registration) $435/attendee (on-site registration)

  Professional holiday lighting education Learn everything you need to know about installing holiday lights! Thursday & Friday, February 2 & 3, 2023 TransWorld’s Christmas Show has a seminar track that will not only teach you about professional-level light installation – you’ll also learn about the various lighting products available, where to source them, how to successfully build/finance/run your lighting company, how to market your services and much, much more. Even better – you don’t have to join a third-party organization or pay additional fees (beyond the price of the actual seminars)! This is pure education, provided by seasoned professionals and enhanced with peer networking to give you all the tools you need to succeed! And better still – if you find that you don’t need to take every class, you don’t have to! Classes can be taken individually! If you own a seasonal business such as landscaping, roofing, window washing, etc., this is a great opportunity to get into an off-season business and increase your profits! 2-Day Seminar Track*: Welcome to Transworld 2023! Speaker introduction and Track Overview (All Classes) Roof Safety Systems: keeping your crew happy & healthy this season! The Ultimate Guide to Tree Wrapping The Art of Animation: Mastering Dynamic RGB Event Lighting: Weddings & More – how to make your clients big day glow! Scaling your light business “Don’t be afraid to grow” Turn the job that you “own” into a true asset! The Purgatories of Scaling Your Business Commercial RFQ’s: Navigating the world of “Request for Proposals” 2 HOUR: Commercial Sales – Sales Techniques, Marketing Protocols, Contracts, Insurance, Target Markets and Contacts, Organization Participation and Benefits of focusing on growing this Division. Extending Your Season: How adding Halloween before your Christmas event can double your revenue! Interior Trees & Other Greenery Projection Mapping: adding levels to your show! Scaling Your Business & Building Equity Inception Lighting Introduction Commercial Sales/Marketing How To Recruit, Hire, Manage & Keep Good Seasonal Employees Commercial Installations Marketing Best Social Media Marketing Practices: How to reach customers during their busiest time of year! Large Outdoor Events: making your Drive/Walk Thru absolutely magical this year! “Town Hall” Style Meeting With Intro. Speaker And Panel Of 5-6 Industry Leaders After party at the Flamingo Bowl (just up the street from the Convention Center!) Friday 5:30pm - 7:30pm Open bar featuring domestic draft beer, wine and well drinks for two hours Pizza, quesadillas, chicken tenders and meatballs Bowling! This party is included in the $395. Just want to go to the after party? No problem! See A La Carte "Flamingo Bowl After Party" option below for $75   All this for $395 That’s a savings of $200 vs. registering for each seminar individually! *Thursday & Friday. Seminars subject to change; please check TransWorldChristmasShow.com for the most current information available at any given time **Early Bird Prices: Seminar Series: $395; after January 27: $435 A La Carte Flamingo Bowl After Party: $75; after January 27: $90

• Flamingo Bowl After Party

  Friday 5:30pm - 7:30pm

  $75/attendee (pre-registration) $90/attendee (on-site registration)

  This is the A La Carte option for The Flamingo Bowl After Party. This After Party is also included in the $395 Holiday Lighting Installer Series package. After party at the Flamingo Bowl (just up the street from the Convention Center!) Friday 5:30pm – 7:30 pm Open bar featuring domestic draft beer, wine and well drinks for two hours Pizza, quesadillas, chicken tenders and meatballs Bowling!

• Welcome to TransWorld 2023! Speaker Introduction and Track Overview (All Classes)

  Thursday 8:30am - 8:55am

  Room 262

  Meet the speakers of each class and get an overview of what all will be covered at this year's event.

• Scaling Your Light Business: "Don't Be Afraid to Grow" - Turn the Job That You "Own" into a True Asset!

  Speakers: David Felt, TUFF CLIPS Josh Trees, WeHangChristmasLights.com

  Thursday 9:00am - 10:00am

  Room 262

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Are you stuck in a never ending cycle that is lacking yearly growth? Do you own a job or a company? Are you on a ladder more than you are in the office? Join Josh Trees of WeHangChristmasLights.com and David Felt (From Russel Williams Co. and Tuff Clips) for a valuable discussion on how you can start to work ON YOUR BUSINESS not IN YOUR BUSINESS and develop a true asset that has the best possible valuation in case your exit plan is to sell someday.

• Event Lighting: Weddings & More: How to Make Your Clients Big Day Glow!

  Speakers: Kelle and Eryn McCarty, Delights of Christmas

  Thursday 10:15am - 11:15am

  Room 262

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

• Extending Your Season: How Adding Halloween Before Your Christmas Event Can Double Your Revenue!

  Speakers: Josh Trees, WeHangChristmasLights.com John Denley, Boneyard Productions

  Thursday 10:15am - 11:15am

  Room 263

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  How you can substantially increase profits in your Holiday Lighting business by adding Halloween Lighting, Effects, Decorations, Props and Animatronics to your current list of services.

• Commercial RFQ's: Navigating the World of "Request for Proposals"

  Speaker: Stacey Jordan, Envirolume

  Thursday 11:30am - 12:30pm

  Room 263

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Have you ever received a 200 PLUS Page commercial RFQ (Request For Proposal) and began to cringe while going cross eyed rather than get excited about the opportunity? You’re not alone. These RFQ’s can be a little tricky...If not downright intimidating. Stacey Jordan has been in this industry for over 18 years and has been doing RFQ’s since she started as a sales consultant for Dekra-Lite Industries.

• Using Video Elements: Adding Levels to Your Show

  Speaker: Jorden Nash, Nash Creative, LLC

  Thursday 11:30am - 12:30pm

  Room 262

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Take your show to the next level! Video elements can offer a whole new level of engagement to your audience. In this class, we'll cover formats of video, TV's and projectors, waterproofing, file types, playback, projection mapping, and interactivity. Join us to get inspiration and see some of the amazing possibilities!

• Large Outdoor Events: Making Your Drive/Walk Thru Absolutely Magical This Year!

  Speaker: Tom BetGeorge, Magical Light Shows LLC

  Thursday 2:00pm - 3:00pm

  Room 262

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Come learn the most effective ways to make your commercial venue magical without breaking the bank! More lights and more programming doesn’t equate to a better experience. In this class we will go over lighting techniques, philosophies, effective props, and programming tools to make your commercial display amazing!

• 2 HOUR: Commercial Sales: Sales Techniques, Marketing Protocols, Contracts, Insurance, Target Markets and Contacts, Organization Participation and Benefits of Focusing on Growing this Division

  Speakers: Luke Jensen, Holiday Designs Josh Trees, WeHangChristmasLights.com Stacey Jordan, Envirolume

  Thursday 2:00pm - 4:00pm

  Room 263

  $110/attendee (pre-registration) $130/attendee (on-site registration)

  In the class we will be giving you a detailed glimpse into the expansive and exciting segment of Commercial Sales and Marketing. If you want to grow your business to its FULL potential then Commercial and Municipal business is a MUST! Learn FOOLPROOF ways to ensure Commercial and Municipal bid requests as well as techniques to close more deals! We will also discuss some of the not so glamorous side of things such as insurance necessities and the importance of keeping vehicle maintenance records.

• How To Recruit, Hire, Manage & Keep Good Seasonal Employees

  Speaker: David Felt, TUFF CLIPS

  Friday 9:00am - 10:00am

  Room 263

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Hiring employees is almost always one of the most daunting tasks when it comes to our industry. In this class we will discuss effective ways to not only hire GOOD QUALITY employees but also how to keep them! The teachers of this class have had hundreds of employees and know what it takes to get the good ones.

• Conquering Commercial Installations

  Speaker: Luke Jensen, Holiday Designs

  Friday 9:00am - 10:00am

  Room 262

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  In this 1-hour course we will walk through the basics of installing commercial décor such as tower trees, pole mount décor, 3D displays, greenery and more. We will also review common installation tools, tips, and tricks. We will save time at the end for Q&A.

• The Ultimate Guide to Tree Wrapping

  Speaker: Phil Sutter, Traditions

  Friday 10:15am - 11:15am

  Room 263

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Although trees can be difficult and time consuming, they add a lot to the magic of a display. Learn the different options for lighting small or large trees such as branch wrapping, canopy wrapping, or hanging decor. Dive into recommended products and techniques for all situations and discuss how to tackle extra large tree projects such as a 70ft evergreen.

• Keeping Your Spirits Up...and Bank Account While Making Your Business Glow!

  Speaker: Dan Platta, Blue Skies Services

  Friday 10:15am - 11:15am

  Room 262

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Scaling a business is a super sexy idea, but for anyone that has ever done it, or at least attempted to do it, they know all too well the financial trials and tribulations that one must overcome to be successful. In this talk I am going to lay out the proper way to set up the financial systems in your business so you can actually tell how you are performing and use that info to make effective decisions as you grow your business. We'll also dive into the potential financial pitfalls, the sticky points in your business growth cycle that I call “Purgatories”, and what a business should focus on to make it through those purgatories as profitably as possible.

• Fall Protection Myths and Truths: Sloped Roofs vs Flat Roofs

  Speakers: Flent Ballantyne, President, Ballantyne Gear Steven Ballantyne, Managing Engineer, Ballantyne Gear

  Friday 11:30am - 12:30pm

  Room 263

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  In the last ten years, the technology of fall protection, especially on sloped roofs, has advanced tremendously. Whether you are on a shoestring budget or you want the most efficient system available, you need to know what works and what does not. Presentation will include: How to keep your people safe, on a dollar or a dime. The difference between fall protection and climb assist. (Don’t be fooled.) How is it easier to work safely and OSHA compliant at the edge of a one-story sloped roof, than it is to work safely and OSHA compliant at the edge of a one-story flat roof. How OSHA determines fall protection fines. (Up to $14,520 for first violation, and up to $145,027 for second violation or any willful violation.) Shared responsibilities and liabilities of Subcontractors and General Contractors for the safety of their employees (OSHA Multi-Employer Doctrine). Create goodwill, strong sales, and repeat customers; marketing your OSHA compliance and commitment to protecting your customers and your employees.

• The Art of Animation: Mastering Dynamic RGB

  Speaker: Erik Terklsen, Holidynamics

  Friday 11:30am - 12:30pm

  Room 262

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  In 2020, Holidynamics, Inc. introduced Dynamic RGB to the holiday lighting industry. It was designed to be simple, affordable, and interactive. Everything is controlled using a simple, radio frequency remote. The remote allows you to change colors (8) and functions (9). No app! No hassle! During this seminar, you will learn how to create amazing residential and commercial displays that are sure to wow all of your customers. From Dynamic RGB wreaths and garlands to tower trees and C9 bulbs, Holidynamics, Inc. has you covered.

• Best Social Media Marketing Practices: How to Reach Customers During Their Busiest Time of Year!

  Speaker: Nicole Ginsburg, Intrigue & Co./Frightmare Farms Haunted Screampark/Aster Farmstead/Blast CNY

  Friday 2:00pm - 3:00pm

  Room 263

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

  Tis the season for chaos & clutter...and that is just your customers' social media feeds! How do you stand out and grab attention during a time of year that everyone is posting jolly content? Join Nicole as she shares the ultimate guide to engagement and content to get your customers to take action during their busiest time of the year!

• Interior Decorating: Capturing the Spirit from the Start!

  Speaker: Stacey Jordan, Envirolume

  Friday 2:00pm - 3:00pm

  Room 262

  $55/attendee (pre-registration) $65/attendee (on-site registration)

• 2 HOUR: Town Hall

  Speakers: TBA

  Friday 3:15pm - 5:15pm

  Room 263

  $110/attendee (pre-registration) $130/attendee (on-site registration)

  Here ye! Here ye! Come one come all to the grand finale Town Hall meeting at Transworld Christmas Installers Meeting. There are not any “dumb questions” at this open Q and A forum with a panel of experts to lead the discussion and give you input on any questions that you may have. There is no better time or place to get answers to questions that you have about this GREAT industry. Join us as we wrap up our informative conference and cover any questions that you may have come up with while attending the preceding classes.

CLIPA CONFERENCE