Ask the Haunt Expert: Leonard Pickel
HaunTopic Radio: Haunted Attractions | Haunted Houses | Halloween | Haunters
Release Date: 01/29/2025
Haunted Attraction Network: Marketing, AI, Trends, and MORE!
HaunTopic Radio: Haunted Attractions | Haunted Houses | Halloween | Haunters
How do you create a successful off-season haunted event? Are you spending your marketing budget effectively? What is changing in the haunt industry for 2026? And much more Haunt talk. Philip Hernandez, creator of the Haunted Attraction Network and CEO of Gantom, answers all of your questions in this LIVE event. Haunter's Toolbox Facebook Group: Check out what Philip is doing: Start your own Haunted Attraction:
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How To Open a Safe Haunted Attraction | William Ramsay
HaunTopic Radio: Haunted Attractions | Haunted Houses | Halloween | Haunters
In this episode, Dr.William Ramsay, aka Dr. TerrorEyes will present usable information on starting and growing a SAFE haunted attraction. Here are a few topics that will be discussed: -How did Haunted Houses start? -Why fire safety is essential at your Haunt -Are you doing Staff training correctly? -Employee forms & applications -Create signage that works -Haunt start-up tips -LOTS MORE! Here are a few of William's credentials: -Producer of the SEHEC (Southeast Halloween Enthusiast Convention) -Guest speaker at many Haunt conventions since 2007 -Co-manager at the...
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Start Your First Haunted Attraction | Imminent Doom
HaunTopic Radio: Haunted Attractions | Haunted Houses | Halloween | Haunters
What's it really like to open and operate a Haunted Attraction business? Can your dream really come true? Can you do it by yourself? We answer all of your questions in this Master Class with Conner Beets from Imminent Doom Haunted House. Conner, a lifetime Haunt enthusiast, started and operated his first commercial haunted attraction this year (2025). At the age of 20 years old! Conner's 5 Top Tips for starting a brand-new haunt are… 1. Build outside city limits if possible! If you happen to be in the city limits… be in CONSTANT communication with your local Fire...
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Remembering Jan Knuth
HaunTopic Radio: Haunted Attractions | Haunted Houses | Halloween | Haunters
In this episode, we remember our friend and fellow Haunter, Jan Knuth. The Haunt world lost a good one. R.I.P. She was always a kind soul, loved Haunting, was an admin for this group, & even thought about me enough to include my opinion in her book “Not Afraid to Slay: Women of the Haunt Industry”. You will be missed… Here is part of her obituary: “A memorial service for Janet L. Knuth will be held on November 20, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska, with Pastor Darren Theesen officiating. Janet Leigh...
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Midnight Syndicate: The Birth of Gothic, Horror, & Haunt Music
HaunTopic Radio: Haunted Attractions | Haunted Houses | Halloween | Haunters
Join the guys behind Midnight Syndicate, Edward Douglas & Gavin Goszka! We ask them questions like: How to create your own haunt music? What inspires them to make music? Sound tips and tricks? Plus, we play the first 3 tracks from their NEW album Darkened Corners. Midnight Syndicate is an American musical duo known for creating dark, atmospheric, and gothic-themed instrumental music. Their tunes and ambient sounds are used in themed attractions worldwide. Since 1997, composers Edward Douglas and Gavin Goszka have produced what they call "soundtracks for the imagination," blending...
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Total Terror Haunted House: From Home Haunter to Pro
HaunTopic Radio: Haunted Attractions | Haunted Houses | Halloween | Haunters
Join us as we discuss the Total Terror Haunt with Chip Wells in Virginia. Going from a home haunter to a commercial haunted attraction Create your own props with papier-mache How to operate and grow a haunted attraction How to manage your haunt crew and lots more... Start and grow your Haunted Attraction at Stalk Total Terror at Reward your scare actors and staff with merit badges from Learn more about these attractions inside this podcast: EXORCYSM Nestled at the end of a desolate road, the old manor stands as a testament to time's cruel...
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Scare Actor Training & Managing with Fright Nights
HaunTopic Radio: Haunted Attractions | Haunted Houses | Halloween | Haunters
Sammy Days & David Gricius are the Scare Actor Trainers and Scare Actors at Fright Nights in Southern Florida. Join us as we pick their brains... Learn how to recruit scare actors Learn how to train scare actors Learn how to manage scare actors Fright Nights is an annual Halloween event that occurs at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach, Florida. Open through the beginning of October through Halloween, the event features multiple haunted houses, “scare zones,” midway rides, food vendors, games, and live entertainment. Stalk Fright Nights at Start and grow your...
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Halloween Hollow Haunted House: Starting from ground zero
HaunTopic Radio: Haunted Attractions | Haunted Houses | Halloween | Haunters
Halloween Hollow Haunted House in Silver Point, TN, Has Everyone Screaming From Nashville to Knoxville, Tennessee, With Its Massive Outdoor Halloween Event! We answer your questions to the owners, Carroll Lee Moore III and Erica McElroy, as we discuss what it takes to own and operate the most unique haunted attraction in Tennessee. Start and grow your haunted attraction at HauntersToolbox.com Stalk the Halloween Hollow at HalloweenHollowHaunt.com Reward, recognize, and retain your scare actors and staff at ScareItBadges.com
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Woods of Terror: Scare acting, snakes, midways, & more!
HaunTopic Radio: Haunted Attractions | Haunted Houses | Halloween | Haunters
Eddie McLaurin is the creator and owner of the Woods of Terror haunted attraction in Greensboro, North Carolina. Here's a brief overview of his story: Family Legacy: The Woods of Terror sits on land that has been in McLaurin's family for generations, dating back to his great-grandfather, Simon Peter "Pa Pete" McCormick. Inspired by the Land: McLaurin was inspired to create the haunted attraction by the 26 graves on the family property that scared him as a child. Year-Round Commitment: He treats the Woods of Terror as a full-time job, dedicating himself to its year-round operation and...
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Terror in the Corn with Bart Butler
HaunTopic Radio: Haunted Attractions | Haunted Houses | Halloween | Haunters
Ask the Haunt Expert: Bart Butler from Terror in the Corn Hosted by Bart Butler is the show director for Terror in the Corn in Eerie, Colorado. Bart answers all of your haunted attraction-related questions. We'll discuss: -Scare Acting management -Scenic design & construction -Character Development -Getting more people to your Haunt -and ALL of your questions! Stalk Bart Butler at Don't forget your
info_outlineStart, grow, and scale your Haunted Attraction at HauntersToolbox.com
In this episode, we discuss many things like Scare Actors, Safety, Timed Ticketing, Wall panels, Haunt Construction, Tent Haunts, Outdoor Trails, International Haunts, and more!
Leonard Pickel has over 50 years of themed attraction design and operations experience in year-round and seasonal installations, museums, and dark rides. Creating more than 300 original and innovative dark-themed attractions for major venues worldwide.
A few of Leonard's accomplishments:
-1987: created the industry’s first turn-key Haunted House “˜kits” and the first adaptation of the “Field Theory” for Haunted Attractions (The Triangular Grid System)
-1993 to 2000: Applied his October seasonal experience toward a summer seasonal haunted house with Mayhem Manor® in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
-1994 to 2009: Co-founded Haunted Attraction Magazine, the premier publication for the dark amusement industry.
-1997: Formed the Haunted Industry’s first trade association, the International Association of Haunted Attractions (IAHA).
-2004 to 2017: Launched the first national convention devoted solely to the Haunted Attraction Industry. The Haunted Attraction National Tradeshow and Convention (HAuNTcon®)
-2009: Awarded a lifetime achievement award from the International Association of Haunted Attractions and was honored with a question using his name in the Millennium Edition of Trivial Pursuit.
-2009: Appeared as an industry expert in several television programs including the Travel Channel special about Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida and America’s Best Haunted Houses.
-1976 to present: Constantly searching for new challenges and striving for new heights in his Haunting career, Leonard has 40-plus years of experience designing all types of commercial Attractions.
Contact Leonard Pickel at Hauntrepreneurs.com