Haunted By Association?

By: D'Ann Deagan

EDITOR'S NOTE: For the last year there has been a heated debate over the organization of an association for the Haunted Attraction Industry. Should we as business owners set aside our differences and distrust of each other to join together and form a trade association? Let's look at a few myths about associations that have surfaced during the discussion.

Myth #1 - An association would provide discounts on the things that we need.

Reality - It is true that affiliating ourselves as a group may qualify us for discounts on certain supplies and services. For instance a percentage off long distance service, legal advice, health insurance, props and makeup are a real possibility. But rarely are these types of discounts significant enough in and of themselves to warrant association membership.

Associations are primarily in the business of disseminating information, influencing legislation and helping build relationships between members. The main thrusts of most associations are to develop a convention, a tradeshow, educational publications, a legislative program and a forum for networking. Arguably, our industry has already receive many of these benefits through the private sector offerings like the TransWorld's tradeshow and annual seminar series.

Are we being well serviced by the current providers? Are they doing enough? Or would our industry be better served if these benefits were managed by an association made up of our peers, for the good of the industry, rather than by private enterprise with profit as their main goal?

Myth #2 - Somebody is going to make a lot of money off this association.

Reality – Nothing could be further from the truth. Our government has created a corporate structure defined as a not-for-profit association, an organization that cannot exist for the direct benefit of any single member or entity. An association must direct its expenditures toward the very mission for which it was formed: to benefit the membership and the collective specified goals. While compensation may be made to anyone who provides a meaningful product or service to the members, no one may financially benefit beyond what can be substantiated as reasonable. All expenses must be approved by the membership or their elected representatives.

Myth #3 - An association would regulate and limit us.

Reality - What ADA regulations, local building and fire codes have not regulated and limited, the insurers have. No one would join an organization that was overbearing on regulations or limits artistic expression. There are, however, lines in safety and taste, which should not be crossed.

The opportunity to provide regulatory clarification, equity and limits on regulation when appropriate, is perhaps the single greatest benefit a "shared voice" can offer our industry. An aggressive legislative campaign via an association or through a specially funded PAC (Political Action Committee), can make desperately needed headway in this area. To demand fair and equitable treatment, as a popular entertainment venue is the best way to protect our future, not endanger it.

For those who prefer to bury their heads in the sand hoping the government won't notice you, you're playing a deadly game of Russian Roulette. Your livelihood is at stake. And your decisions and lack of action make an impact on us all.

Myth #4 - Formalizing into an association would make us "respectable."

Reality - Industry respectability is not something an association can do for us, but rather a goal we should aspire toward together. Ours is an industry easily misinterpreted as "undesirable" due to the satanic myths surrounding Halloween. It is critical that we maintain a positive, influential presence in our communities. A nationally organized public relations campaign, would go hand in hand with a cooperative effort to collect industry-wide data, providing positive statistics and information to influence regulators, legislators and consumers.

Myth #5 - An association will solve all our troubles!

Reality - An association is an opportunity, not an end all. It is a relationship that is only as strong and vital as the members who support it. It is wholly dependent on a group to form it, guide it, nurture it--and to select wise leadership to tend to its daily functions. We must be prepared to collectively merge our energies and our hard-earned dollars, with the goal of protecting the future for us all?

If we form an association, it can be a great tool. If we choose otherwise, that is our right as well. Regardless, our industry is evolving at a quickening pace, and will continue to do so, with or without us at the helm. Don't let this opportunity to mold the future of the haunted attraction industry, pass us by. Seek intelligent, objective knowledge on the issues. Formulate your opinion. Then make your voice heard.

Myth #6 - An association will drive the little guys out of business!

Reality - We need to wake up, folks, the "little guys" are already in trouble. Unable to compete with large advertising dollars, the resources of small, independent operators are already stretched to the max. The sharing of ideas, cooperative advertising and group buying power, that an association can provide, may be the only thing that can save them.

In the meanwhile, fasten your seat-belts and put your tray tables up. Looks like we're in for a wild ride!

D'Ann Dagen is president of La-De-Da Productions, a theatrical events production company in Fort Worth, Texas. She produces and operates "Hangman's House of Horrors," a ten-year-old haunt that grossed over $335,000 in 1997 with proceeds benefiting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. 1998 will be her 21st season as a haunted attraction producer.

From 1988 to 1993, D'Ann helped form and was CEO of the National Association of Private Enterprise, a 100,000-member organization of small business owners. The association's benefits included a national lobbying program, insurance offerings, many group-purchasing relationships and a variety of educational publications. Additionally, D'Ann has served on staff and as a consultant for several major non-profit organizations such as the March of Dimes, the Arthritis Foundation, the Ostrich Association and the Van Cliburn Foundation.

D'Ann can be reached via e-mail at hangman@startext.net

Hayride Safety

by: Matthew M. Jacob

Safety at a Haunted Hayride site is of extreme importance to all concerned, and therefore demands the attention of every staff member, from the parking lot attendant to the maintenance crew. From the moment a patron drives onto the property, until the ride is concluded and everyone has vacated the site, safety measures demand constant awareness. In addition to ensuring the safety of patrons and staff, focusing on the safety not only diminishes the opportunity for accidents to occur in the first place, but also decreases the possibility of litigation down the road.

Every aspect of the event must be reviewed for possible accident producing situations, long before the first patron arrives. This enables staff members to suggest potential circumstances where mishaps might occur, and provides the opportunity to resolve a hazardous condition in advance. Safety must also receive considerable attention during all staff training sessions.

Safety commences with the parking of vehicles. Attention should be directed toward any possible surface hazards that might present a problem in the parking area. The parking area requires adequate illumination and appropriate signage, which includes ingress and egress routes. Attendants must wear reflective parking vests and be equipped with flashlights, illuminated wands and flares.

The commons area, which is located near the ticket booth and loading area, must include appropriate lighting and directional signage, which encourages patrons to move freely between concessions. Sufficient levels of lighting and audio enhance the safe movement of patrons within the wagon loading area. Fencing or another barrier material, is essential to define the loading area and it prevents riders from approaching wagons or tractors before their ride is called. The platform, steps or other boarding apparatus, utilized to facilitate the loading process, must be maintained in sound condition.

Each evening, prior to the first ride, all tractors should be inspected in order to maintain a safe and efficient operating level. The condition of each wagon should also be checked for loose boards, splinters and sharp edges.

The staff must receive extensive training relative to their particular function. The opportunity to rehearse and practice the execution of their task is an important component of that training. Role playing and situation exercises are additional techniques that are helpful during staff training programs. All equipment, supplies and material used at the site, must perform in the manner intended. Their safe operation reduces the risk of injury to staff and patrons.

Even with the utmost dedication to safety, unforeseen occurrences must be anticipated. Prior to opening night, meetings with the local law enforcement agency, fire officials and an ambulance service are scheduled to formulate emergency response arrangements. Security staff at the site must be trained accordingly. The staff must respond immediately to all accidents and offer any assistance required. After attending to the injured, accident reports must be filled out, reviewed and signed by all parties. Getting statements from witnesses to the accident are very important.

In addition to obvious rationale for providing a safe event, it is crucial to the Haunted Attraction industry for the public to know their safety is our principle consideration. Proper lighting and signage, equipment maintenance and up keep, and intense staff training and practice are keys to providing a safe and accident free event.

Matt Jacob is president of Haunted Hayrides, Inc. which began franchising the concept in 1985 and continues to be the only nationally franchised organization in the Haunted Attraction industry.