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partial excerpt from Haunted Attraction Magazine, February 2006
Announcements;
| Haunt X 2006 ROCKED! |
| by Leonard Pickel |
No one understands the risk that is involved in putting on a major
convention more than I do. Nor realizes the time and effort it takes to
host several hundred people from all over the country at a hotel with
hidden problems and concerns that no one could have anticipated until it
is too late to do much about it.
With that said, I have to take my hat off to Wil Schock who pulled off
an incredible 5 day event earlier this month called Haunt X. In 2005,
this event was called DeathFest, was held in a small hotel in Santa
Maria, CA and attended by only about 300 people. Boldly stepping up to
the plate, Wil moved the show to the LAX Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles,
changed the name and the focus of the Xpo! and turned a small local
gathering in to a national event (of 2000 guests in 2006).
Broadening the appeal of the show to include “all things spooky” was
crucial to drive the desired attendance numbers and to create a one of a
kind convention with a mix of commercial Haunting, Paranormal and Horror
movie fans that included a large collection of celebrities.
I must admit that when Wil first announced this gigantic step, I was
concerned for his sanity and his pocket book, but I cannot tell you how
well the whole thing went off.
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| Haunted
Attraction Magazine had a great location right inside the main door of
the dealer room, and the first rush of attendees descended on Jeanne and
I as soon as the door opened Saturday morning. Before noon on the first
day we had sold out of many items we brought to the convention and were
concerned that we might run out of magazines before the show was over.
Luckily David Schwend and Karen Murphy helped us man the booth so we
could get something to eat. |
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We were not the only exhibitors who got slammed. Popular booths included
Haunted Media Magazine, and Parallax. I saw tombstones from Haunted
Enterprises walking around all day and one exhibitor reportedly sold
$8,000 worth of product at the show....
The 2006 Last Ride Cavalcade Car Show was sponsored by Creep Crafters
International Haunters Club, and photos of the winning vehicles are at
2006 Last Ride Car Show
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The seminar schedule was packed with speakers on each of the many genres
represented at the Xpo!
I presented a “Haunting on a Shoe String Budget” seminar that was packed
and well received. My only complaint was that I was scheduled against
Jeff Baham’s seminar (Doombuggies.com) filled with back stage photos of
Disney’s Haunted Mansion, which I would have loved to sat in on.
The Saturday night function was what is now standard for any Haunt
Convention, the ambiguity costume ball. The Haunt X version was a
rocking dance party called Dance Of The Decayed, and DJ’ed by Ed Douglas
of Midnight Syndicate. Chuck Williams was the MC and door prizes from
Midnight Syndicate, Anatomical Chart Company, and Bloody Mary were but a
few of the many companies providing precuts to the event.
Sunday night was time for the Haunt X Awards
program.... You
can check out the winners at
Haunt X Awards Winners Circle and you can
purchase your own copy of the compiled DVD at
www.halloweenpropmaster.com .
There were both pre and post show off site tours during the convention
starting with a Ghost Hunt on Queen Mary Thursday before the show.
Followed on Friday by a Tour of the Chiodo Studios and a tour of an
October seasonal Haunt in Old Town Pasadena. After the tradeshow/seminar
portion of Haunt X on Monday afternoon there was a Haunted Hollywood bus
tour, and then Monday night concluded the event with a visit to the
infamous Magic Castle.
All in all it was an action packed weekend. The huge gamble paid off and
everyone I talked to said they were coming back in 2007. Dates are set
for Haunt X to be back in the Hilton LAX hotel on “Dead” presidents
weekend, February 15 - 18 with tours and special events before and
after the show.
Leonard Pickel
Haunted Attraction Magazine
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Testimonials '06 |
