CHAC Press Information
The Canadian Haunted Attractions Conference (CHAC) was born in 2010, the brainchild of Matthew Flagler, out of a desire to provide Canadian haunted attraction, Halloween, horror, paranormal, and makeup FX enthusiasts and industry leaders an opportunity to gather in one place, at the same time, for their mutual benefit. While there were (and still are) numerous such events in the United States, prior to CHAC, there wasn't a single Canadian conference.
The CHAC sees hundreds of attendees from around North America descend on the host city for an extended weekend of educational sessions, networking and social activities, VIP guests and a trade show with vendors selling products and services of interest to those in related industries. Whether a person hosts an annual party, decorates their home for Halloween, operates a haunted event, or is employed at one, there is something for them at the CHAC. In previous years, the CHAC has seen attendees from as far away as Nova Scotia, PEI, Quebec, Manitoba, all over Ontario, plus US States such as Florida, North Carolina, Connecticut, Massachusetts, California, Ohio, New York, and Michigan, and is the only Canadian event of this size and scope, a truly International conference. In each host city, it brings powerful economic benefits with associated tourism, and the purchasing of local goods and services by attendees from out of town.
Halloween has indeed become big business, with the Retail Council of Canada estimating that Canadian's spent $1.5 Billion in 2012 on Halloween. North America wide it is a $6 Billion annual industry. Halloween is the second most decorated time of year, and the single biggest non-holiday event of the year. Events such as haunted attractions, Halloween parties, municipal events, parades, and pumpkin festivals complement the seasonal rural activities such as wagon rides, corn mazes, and pick-your-own pumpkin events at local farms.
2011 Metro News Article
Read the Metro News article about our 2011 Conference here: http://www.metronews.ca/Hamilton/local/article/856295--convention-centre-will-be-the-site-for-hotbed-of-haunting