C.H.A.O.S. SAFETY PROGRAM

This event is where the Association rolls out the black carpet and  recognizes attraction owners, vendors, and others who have excelled in  our industry. Presented by The Haunted Attraction Association at  TransWorld’s Halloween & Attractions Show in St. Louis, these awards  are the highest achievement in the Halloween and Haunted Attraction  industry. Don’t miss this very special event!

This Haunted Attraction Association event will offer complimentary food and a cash bar for all to enjoy.

• Haunted Attraction of the Year
• Vendor of the Year
• Home Haunt of the Year
• Actor of the Year Award
• Creative Production Award
• The WOW Factor Award
• Best Off-Season Event Award
• Best F&B and/or Merch Experience Award
• Special Recognition Award
• Life Time Achievement Award

Haunted Attraction of the Year

This award recognizes an outstanding haunted attraction that demonstrates excellence across all aspects of the guest experience, including storytelling, production quality, performance, operations, guest satisfaction, and overall impact within the industry. The recipient represents the highest standard of immersive Halloween entertainment and serves as a benchmark for creativity and execution.

Vendor of the Year

This award honors a vendor who has made a significant contribution to the haunted attraction industry through exceptional products, services, innovation, reliability, and customer support. The recipient demonstrates a strong commitment to helping attractions elevate their experiences and succeed operationally and creatively.

Home Haunt of the Year

This award recognizes an outstanding home-based haunted attraction that demonstrates creativity, passion, and dedication to the craft of haunting. Celebrating displays ranging from yard walkthroughs to fully immersive residential experiences, this award honors home haunters who deliver memorable guest engagement, innovative design, and community impact while bringing the spirit of Halloween to life at home.

Actor of the Year Award

This award recognizes an outstanding performer whose talent, character development, energy, and guest interaction elevate the haunted attraction experience. Honoring excellence in scare acting and immersive performance, this award celebrates individuals who consistently deliver memorable moments, embody their roles, and contribute to the overall storytelling and atmosphere of the production.

Creative Production Award

This award honors excellence and innovation in a Halloween-themed production that delivers exceptional entertainment value and immersive storytelling. Eligible productions may include haunted houses, mazes, atmospheric experiences, stage shows, haunting grounds, and other themed offerings that showcase originality, creativity, and guest engagement.

The WOW Factor Award

This award recognizes the single element within an experience that delivers an unforgettable WOW factor. From scenic reveals and special effects to character moments and technological innovation, this category celebrates the creative feature that surprises, engages, and amplifies the guest experience.

The Wow Factor may include, but are not limited to, scenic design, set pieces, props, lighting, audio/sound, costume design, special effects, hair and makeup, choreography, technology, production innovation, and more.

Best Off-Season Event Award

This award recognizes haunted attractions that successfully extend their brand beyond the traditional Halloween season by creating engaging, themed experiences during the off-season. Eligible events may include holiday overlays, special themed nights, immersive pop-up experiences, festivals, or other creative programming that drives guest attendance, showcases storytelling, and keeps the attraction relevant year-round.

Best F&B and/or Merch Experience Award

This award recognizes excellence in themed food, beverage, and retail offerings that enhance the haunted attraction guest experience. Honoring creativity, presentation, branding, and guest engagement, this category celebrates attractions that successfully integrate concessions and/or merchandise into storytelling while driving memorable moments and secondary revenue.

Lifetime Achievement Award

This award honors an individual whose long-standing dedication, leadership, and contributions have helped shape and advance the haunted attraction industry. Recognizing years of commitment, innovation, mentorship, and impact, this award celebrates those whose legacy continues to inspire haunters and elevate the craft.

Special Recognition Award

This award acknowledges individuals or organizations whose unique contributions, acts of service, support, or behind-the-scenes efforts have made a meaningful difference within the haunted attraction community. It celebrates those whose impact may not fit a traditional category but deserves to be honored and recognized by their peers.