The Transworld Halloween, Haunted House and now the Escape Room industry converge to St Louis for an annual tradeshow. The tradeshow now ranks as the 16th largest convention of the year for St Louis and produces 6.1 million dollars to the local economy. The tradeshow which started 9 years ago has grown each year now bringing an estimated 8,000 guests from around the World. The tradeshow floor itself over 9 years has tripled from the first show back in 2009.
The growth has come from the international community as Horror and Haunted Houses have grown in popularity. Halloween is now a 9 BILLION dollar industry and this tradeshow is the center of the entire industry. Transworld HAA Show has grown mostly because of international interest but also because of new industries joining the show including Escape Room, Farms, and Amusement Parks.
Hauntworld.com which covers the haunted house industry with their popular Haunted House Magazine which now also covers escape rooms estimates there now 5000 haunted houses, hayrides, corn mazes, to escape rooms open across the country. Many haunts are now open year around or for special promotions such as Valentines Day and even Christmas.
The Transworld Haunt Show also ushers in a popular haunted house tour with local haunt The Darkness which is known nationally as one of the best in the nation. The Darkness will give tours to industry members this weekend. The Darkness has also opened Escape Rooms. Learn more about their tour this week at www.TheDarkness.com
