Urban Expositions Announces Co-location of HAuNTcon Show with Halloween & Party Expo
June 13, 2017 By Haunts.com
Trumbull, CT - June 13, 2017 - Urban Expositions announced today the acquisition of HAuNTcon, the Haunted Attraction National Tradeshow and Conference, a B2B exposition for the Haunted House Industry. The industry leading event, will complement Urban’s specialty portfolio which includes Halloween & Party Expo reinforcing the market position for the Halloween, Party and Celebration Industries.
HAuNTcon and Halloween & Party Expo will co-locate beginning with the 2018 event, January 12th – 15th, in New Orleans, Louisiana offering buyers an unrivaled one-stop access to the most comprehensive range of products and services to serve the needs of its customers, including Haunted Attractions, Costume Stores, Party Stores, Amusement & Theme Parks, Family Entertainment Centers, Grocers, Drug Stores and Gift Stores.
The events have joined forces to provide a new, enhanced experience for Halloween and haunt professionals. The cross-over between industry sparked the idea – bringing the power of two industry leading global brands to share industry trends, offer innovative and relevant education, and provide a collaborative environment for networking and business exchanges. HAuNTcon founder, Leonard Pickel will serve in an expanded role as an industry advisor working with the team on joint activities, including educational offerings, specialty tours and the infamous HAuNTcon costume ball which will allow visitors to the combined conference to customize their experience.
“We are thrilled to offer our customers this opportunity to develop relationships with professionals representing the entire spectrum of the Halloween market in New Orleans this January,” said Michael Carlucci, senior vice president of Urban’s specialty show portfolio. “This collaboration is just one example of our strategic priority to add value for our customers. We look forward to working with Leonard who brings a level of expertise in Haunt to our team”.
“HAuNTcon brings together people who love Haunted Houses, Halloween and scaring people, for four fun-filled days and nights of haunt tours, special events, education and networking,” said Leonard Pickel, HAuNTcon founder “Teaming up and co-location with Halloween & Party Expo allow us to take HAuNTcon to a totally new level that we could not possibly done before.” Halloween is the second largest commercial holiday, and Haunted attractions represents over $300 million of that yearly spend. Halloween attraction owners will benefit from an expanded exhibit hall, advanced education program and more networking opportunities.
Michele Biordi, Executive Director of the Halloween Industry Association and partner of the Halloween & Party Expo, added “The decision to co-locate these two events was made to offer face-to-face business and networking solutions to haunted attraction owners, as well as Halloween and party retailers, to network and share best practices all under one roof. The goal is to continue to offer customers – both buyers and exhibitors – new business opportunities and in-person connections within the industry.”
In all, the combined events are expected to bring 3,000 industry professionals and 350 vendors together under one roof.
For more information and to register your interest for the 2018 events being held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center January 12-15 in New Orleans, LA visit us online at halloweenpartyexpo.com and hauntcon.com and be sure to sign up for our monthly newsletter, The Celebration, for your personal sneak peek at what’s trending in the industry.
###
About Halloween & Party Expo
The Halloween & Party Expo, the leading event for Halloween, Party and Celebration, is a trade-only event that brings industry professionals together each year. Co-owned by Urban Expositions, a Clarion Events Company and the Halloween Industry Association, the event provides a platform for sourcing, learning, and networking. Proceeds from the Halloween & Party Expo are used by the Halloween Industry Association to promote and grow the safe celebration of Halloween and year-round costumed events throughout North America. The next event will be held in New Orleans, January 12-15, 2018. For more information, visit halloweenpartyexpo.com.
About Urban Expositions
Founded in 1995, Urban Expositions, now operating as Clarion UX and owned by Clarion Events, produces and manages a portfolio of 36 trade and consumer events, serving a range of industry sectors including Gift, Souvenir, Art, Aviation, Foodservice, Specialty Retail, Gaming, Automotive and Enthusiast Lifestyle, with offices in Kennesaw, GA, Chicago, IL, Trumbull, CT, Portland, OR and Boca Raton, FL. www.urban-expo.com
About Clarion Events
Clarion Events operates over 180 events in 50 countries from offices in the UK, South Africa, USA, Brazil, Germany, Singapore, UAE, and the Netherlands. Clarion can trace its roots back to 1947 and takes great pride in being one of the oldest independent event organizers in the UK. More recently the firm has developed an international portfolio of brands and now has interests in a number of global vertical industries. The teams at Clarion create uniquely effective and stimulating environments that can serve as a platform to build businesses, enhance customer relationships and accelerate product awareness.
About the Halloween Industry Association
The Halloween Industry Association (HIA) was formally incorporated in 2005 as a 501(c)(6) trade organization to promote and build the celebration of Halloween in the United States. HIA represents businesses involved in the manufacture, importation or distribution of Halloween products including costumes, decor, novelty items and party supplies. HIA has grown to become the preeminent authority on Halloween and serves as a non-profit voice of the industry.
