ScareCON '08 proved to be a great success and so far we have only received positive feedback from the day. Many people who couldn’t attend wanted to know more so please find below a detailed synopsis of the day.

Registration
Registration to the event was hampered by a number of ‘bloody’ characters roaming the halls of the NEC. The strait-laced business suits passing by seemed quite amused as a red haired zombie bride and her bloodied maid of honour mingled with the guests.

Props and Coffees
Over refreshments the delegates were able to view a selection of brochures and samples that we had arranged from the US. Unfortunately, with 2 major props displays stuck in customs we didn’t have much to show and we plan a MUCH bigger display and sales area for next year!

Introductions
As the lights dimmed the Skeleton in the corner of the room came to life, and utilising state of the art motion control technology, welcomed the group to ScareCon. As a way of introducing the team, we showed the now legendary Room 13 video to show just how scared the Haunted Attractions UK hosts could really be!

Tulleys Farm
Stuart Beare – from Pumpkin Patch to the UK’s No 1
Stuart Beare made an interesting presentation about his farm’s journey from tiny pumpkin patch into a massive seasonal event enjoyed by nearly 40,000 visitors in 2007. With advice on staffing, parking and ancillary activities to offer, this presentation showed the attendees just how big Halloween is now in the UK.

Thorpe Park
Laura Sinclair – A corporate Point of View
Laura Sinclair has worked on Thorpe Park’s Fright Nights since they started in 2002 and in her speech she detailed the changes that have been made across the years. Detailing some of the operational issues faced by such a large theme park, she touched upon security, the quality of the actors and how much wear and tear each attraction suffers.

Sweet Dreams Interactive
Porl Matthews - Professionalism In Performance
Porl Matthews from Sweet Dreams Interactive, a veteran scare actor from Thorpe Park and Alton Towers, highlighted to the show creators and producers the views and opinions of the acting talent itself. He shared anecdotes about the industry alongside practical advice on training, conditions and pay.

SkullTronix
Bryan Davis - Interactive Demonstration
Bryan Davis showcased the amazing SkullTronix talking skull and the realistic ghost bust effect. Many questions about the use and availability of these products for this Halloween were raised and many delegates took time during the interval to take a closer look.

London Bridge Experience
Alan Mandel-Butler - Our Experiences in the Industry
Alan Mandel Butler discussed the trials involved in setting up a brand new year round haunt, the difficulties with dealing with suppliers in different time zones, the restraints put upon the actors through construction delays and finally their proud reactions to recently being called “the scariest attraction in London”

AtmosFEAR! Scare Attractions
Jason Karl - Behind the Screams
Jason Karl from AtmosFEAR! talked about a few of the company’s projects and some of the problems they had experienced with sourcing quality acting talent. They introduced a new website which is planned to be a “one-stop-shop” for haunt producers looking for technical and professional talent.

The Partners Group
David Leon - Marketing Your Attraction
David Leon, who currently markets for a number of UK attractions, discussed the techniques and tools to aid successful marketing. His facts about the Halloween business and the statistics he displayed, impressed many of the delegates who hadn’t yet fully embraced this rapidly growing UK sector.

Our own Association for the UK
Michael Bolton - Haunted Attractions UK
Michael Bolton facilitated an open forum discussion where delegates discussed the pros and cons of a UK based haunt association. Due to legal and operational differences between the UK and the US it was agreed that a UK association would make sense and Michael will pull together a small committee to discuss the topic further.

Social Event
After the formal discussions, it was time to let our hair down and hit the pub. More than half the delegates turned up at the central Birmingham bar that night and informal discussions continued WAY into the following morning as delegates from all the major attractions mingled and swapped stories with each other. There were some very sore heads the next day we would imagine!

Planning is now under way for a MUCH BIGGER event in 2009 and we hope to bring you the full details of this very soon.

Main Menu • 2008 Attendees List • Gallery • Contributors

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Read what some of our 2008 attendees had to say...

“A brilliant day, I learnt a lot and I look forward to this getting bigger and bigger each year.”
Tulleys Farm

“Just wanted to say a big thank you to you and your team for arranging ScareCon and the possibilities it has/ will bring to this industry.”
Entertainment Control Systems

“We had a fantastic time at ScareCon! Can’t wait until 09!”
FEAR! Travelling Attraction

“Well done boys, all the Spooky World team loved ScareCon, and we think it has definitely helped us to build a better spooky park than before we went.”
Spooky World

“We found it extremely helpful and interesting and are looking forward to next year’s convention.”
Tropical Butterfly House

“Thanks again, hope to see you next year.”
Oxford Castle Uncovered

“It was a brilliant event and we both found it incredibly useful. I am so pleased you managed to squeeze us in!”
Crealy Adventure Park

“The ideas we have gained are invaluable and we will putting them in to practice.”
Kents Cavern

“We all really enjoyed (it), it was obvious how much effort went in but it was worth it!”
AtmosFEAR! Scare Attractions