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What you should do to Open Your haunts in 2020 - Thread

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  • What you should do to Open Your haunts in 2020 - Thread

    Stay tuned to this thread because I'm going to invite people to post their thoughts, opinions, and I will share a lot of great information for the industry.

    Lets start with this one... should or can you even do the following here: https://www.iaapa.org/news/temperatu...est-attraction

    Can haunted houses really take temps of your customers or staff. Read this article.
    Larry Kirchner
    President
    www.HalloweenProductions.com
    www.BlacklightAttractions.com
    www.HauntedHouseSupplies.com
    www.HauntedHouseMagazine.com

  • #2
    Another article from IAAPA https://www.iaapa.org/news/funworld/...uring-covid-19

    Even though it says advice for FEC owners technically speaking that is more or less what you are ... you fall in the same field.

    Larry
    Larry Kirchner
    President
    www.HalloweenProductions.com
    www.BlacklightAttractions.com
    www.HauntedHouseSupplies.com
    www.HauntedHouseMagazine.com

    Comment


    • #3
      So again let me stress to everyone apply for the PPP loans, get your staff working to get your haunt open as normal.

      Don't wait!

      Vendors apply for the PPP loans and build up some inventory because I feel haunters will start buying in August. Take the PPP loans and use that money to invest in your companies future... I can't stress this enough.

      Things are going to get better people, and we'll start to understand that around August, so vendors be the smart ones who have stuff to sell. Apply for these PPP LOANS NOW!

      What should vendors do???

      1) Apply for PPP Loans NOW
      2) Build up inventory of your top 10 items have stuff ready to sell when you get calls
      3) When everything breaks loose in August you can start shipping ASAP, plus gain yourself 60 day window to take new orders.
      4) Stay close to home and ready to go in late July early August don't plan no vacations be ready to ship!
      5) Don't discount your company into bankruptcy just stay calm and wait because that is what will drive sales just waiting for haunts to realize they will open, once that happens the orders will flow.

      6) I would ONLY FOCUS on taking orders for things you make the most money on ... in other words stay away from making things that take a lot of time with low profit margins.

      Larry
      Larry Kirchner
      President
      www.HalloweenProductions.com
      www.BlacklightAttractions.com
      www.HauntedHouseSupplies.com
      www.HauntedHouseMagazine.com

      Comment


      • #4
        Read this article ... talks about Disney being worried on the issue of liability. Asking guests to sign waivers. Disney is set to open May 10th in Florida. We'll find out soon enough. With all that being said I'm going to be posting warning signs at my attractions talking about this very thing.

        https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/d...120001072.html
        Larry Kirchner
        President
        www.HalloweenProductions.com
        www.BlacklightAttractions.com
        www.HauntedHouseSupplies.com
        www.HauntedHouseMagazine.com

        Comment


        • #5
          Fear Ticket will add a waiver feature allowing you to upload a legal waiver before they can buy a ticket. We will create a waiver and you're free to use ours or you can create your own.

          I strongly suggest all haunted houses add a waiver to buying tickets online prior to opening for the 2020 haunted house season. We're also creating a waiver for our staff members. No one will work for us this fall unless they sign the waiver.

          I will post all those waivers to this thread soon!

          Larry Kirchner
          President
          www.HalloweenProductions.com
          www.BlacklightAttractions.com
          www.HauntedHouseSupplies.com
          www.HauntedHouseMagazine.com

          Comment


          • #6
            What can haunted houses actually do to keep customers safe? NOT A LOT HONESTLY! Why? Well lets be honest here for a second... no matter what you do you'll still have lines of people, and people will get bunched up in your haunt. There is almost nothing you can do to stop that short of cutting your attendance to a level that would prevent you from even being hopen. C'mon!

            But here are some tips anyway...

            1) 3D Glasses might consider giving them to customers or not using them.
            2) Warning signs need to be posted everywhere including on your website
            3) Ticket systems need to have waivers in place to protect you from liability
            4) Setting up hand washing stations
            5) Posting messages that you'd prefer guests wear face masks, maybe you could give them to every customer
            6) Could you really take people's temps? I don't know.
            7) Timed ticketing wouldn't help ... you could do it sure but would it really defeat the overall issue? NOPE! You'd still have lines of people, and people bunched up in the haunt.

            Bottom line is I'm planning for now anyway to open like I always do, I'm not going to jump the gun. Let me see what is happening on August 1st and go from there. Honestly there is NO REASON to panic now, or jump the gun.

            WAIT until August the 1st and come up with a plan then. DIsney has to figure out a plan NOW because they want to OPEN NOW, but you don't have to do that. Many things can happen between now and October.

            Don't panic just wait and see what happens but come up with a plan and options between now and that but don't act until you have more information.

            Plan on opening your haunted house for now then wait and see what happens over the next few months. See what bowling centers do, FEC, Six Flags, Disney and then wait until our turn comes up!

            Be ready to act based on the situation in August not April.

            Larry
            Larry Kirchner
            President
            www.HalloweenProductions.com
            www.BlacklightAttractions.com
            www.HauntedHouseSupplies.com
            www.HauntedHouseMagazine.com

            Comment


            • #7
              SHOULD YOU SEEK PR this year?

              NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

              Personally I wouldn't speak to the media no matter what if you can avoid it. The media in times like these aren't your friend. You don't need the added spotlight, having some media outlet run your safety precautions over the coals.

              DO NOT SEEK MEDIA INTERVIEWS and I would ignore any requests for interviews.

              Just do what you need to do to make your haunts as safe as possible for your staff and guests, and keep a LOW PROFILE!

              Remember no one cares about your business but your customers, you have no real friends, we're not Apple, Walmart, we don't have millions to fight lawsuits. Just keep your head down and plow thru the best you can!

              Larry Kirchner
              President
              www.HalloweenProductions.com
              www.BlacklightAttractions.com
              www.HauntedHouseSupplies.com
              www.HauntedHouseMagazine.com

              Comment


              • #8
                ALL Haunted Houses and VENDORS should be applying for PPP Loans
                https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus...loan-resources

                You can use your payroll from the 4th quarter (when you had all those actors) you need to apply TODAY!

                I applied and I got approved.

                HOW do you do it?

                You can apply thru your bank, groupon, paypal, and the list goes on. You should meet with your accountant get the docs you need, and apply thru your bank asap! Ask for as much money as you can get.

                Use that money to pay your staff to get your haunted house ready to open NOW! So you're thinking of not spending money on new stuff... DUMB! C'mon guys spend money on things that will make you money.

                USE THAT PPP money to put your crew to work building 5 Minute Escape Rooms, Gift Stores, Photo Ops, Zombie Paint Ball, a Midway build anything that is an upcharge. Get going!

                BTW this isn't a plug BUY MY NEW VIDEO NOW 'How to Get Rich' its the best video I've ever done, and I've already talked to people who bought it. They said it changed their thinking totally. Get it before you start planning for 2020. www.hauntedhousesupplies.com

                Now for Vendors get the PPP loan and start making inventory, just make your top 10 things, biggest sellers with the biggest profit margins. Haunts will call but it might be in August but they will call.

                APPLY FOR THESE LOANS NOW!

                Larry Kirchner
                President
                www.HalloweenProductions.com
                www.BlacklightAttractions.com
                www.HauntedHouseSupplies.com
                www.HauntedHouseMagazine.com

                Comment


                • #9
                  Thanks for the great info. Some of the recommendations being considered will honestly do nothing. Take temperature testing. Most people spread the virus when they are asymptomatic. So sure, they are turning away some people with the virus but allowing loads more to pass through and spread it in the park. Temperature tests are just another bad idea in a long list of bad ideas that will do nothing to stop the virus and in fact, will encourage the spread. Same with testing. Someone tests negative on a Tuesday and catches the virus on a Wed. Just dumb.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Brighton Asylum, that is very true but this is also a matter of public perception. If Disney and Universal start testing people's temperatures to get into the park, than it's going to make the news and everyone is going to hear about it. If haunts announce they're following suite than people may feel safer.... as stupid as it is.

                    I agree, the waiver is a must for everyone. For smaller haunts like mine, I think timed ticketing might actually work. I have a giant indoor field that isn't being used where people can comfortably wait and stay completely separated. It would also heavily cut down on wait time and I'd still be able to get my entire audience through.

                    The question is, how much are people going to care about social distancing come October? Obviously having actors scream from 6 feet away isn't going to cut it, so even if you can separate customers on line, once everyone gets inside it won't matter. I was literally thinking about reworking our theme so that every actor is wearing a mask just to make people feel better. BUT I have a feeling that the safety measures haunts put into place this year aren't going to matter to the majority of people. Like someone said in an earlier thread, It doesn't matter how well we advertise them because it's going to come down to what they're hearing on the news.



                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Here is another article you should read. https://carnivalwarehouse.com/newsse...a2mBA.facebook
                      Larry Kirchner
                      President
                      www.HalloweenProductions.com
                      www.BlacklightAttractions.com
                      www.HauntedHouseSupplies.com
                      www.HauntedHouseMagazine.com

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        YOU MUST APPLY NOW

                        https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4...relief-package
                        Larry Kirchner
                        President
                        www.HalloweenProductions.com
                        www.BlacklightAttractions.com
                        www.HauntedHouseSupplies.com
                        www.HauntedHouseMagazine.com

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          You can apply thru Pay Pal https://www.loanbuilder.com/ppp-loan-support

                          You can also submit thru your payroll company, your bank and even groupon believe it or not
                          Larry Kirchner
                          President
                          www.HalloweenProductions.com
                          www.BlacklightAttractions.com
                          www.HauntedHouseSupplies.com
                          www.HauntedHouseMagazine.com

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Can you file a claim against your insurance company read below...

                            Crane Agency FAQ Series
                            Coronavirus COVID-19 (UPDATED 3/24/2020)
                            Crane Agency
                            Insurance & Risk Management Solutions
                            St. Louis Chesterfield Springfield Kansas City
                            This FAQ covers the general topic of COVID-19 virus to explain how various insurance policies could respond to
                            claim scenarios related to the COVID-19 virus. If your business experiences a loss, we recommend you submit a
                            claim to your insurer. They will give their position about coverage under your policy. No one can say for certain
                            what might happen in the future, but we always recommend insureds should submit a claim.
                            Recently, there has been a lot of concern over the spread of the COVID-19 (aka “Coronavirus”).
                            What do my commercial insurance policies cover?
                            The answer to this question depends on the specific facts of your situation and which policy is involved. Different
                            coverage forms contain exclusions and limitations, which can restrict or eliminate coverage.
                            Will my property insurance provide coverage?
                            Many property insurers specifically exclude loss by virus, while others are silent on the issue. It is important to
                            know that all property forms have two things in common. In order to trigger coverage, 1) there must be physical
                            damage to property; and 2) the damage must be caused by a covered cause of loss. Most insurers believe their
                            property coverage forms require “physical damage” which necessitates replacement or repair before the
                            property can be made useful again. This requirement, as it relates to the coronavirus is being challenged in
                            courts. Regardless of the insurer’s position on coverage, we recommend that all property including loss of
                            business income should be submitted to the insurer. Property coverage can include:
                            • Property insurance (direct damage) Including Decontamination
                            • Business Interruption (indirect damage) – provides for lost income when the insured cannot make or sell
                            their product or provide services following a loss.
                            • Civil Authority (business income) – when a covered cause of loss damages property nearby and a
                            governmental authority restricts access to the area, this coverage will extend Business Interruption to
                            include the loss of income.
                            • Dependent Properties (business income) – coverage can be expanded to include the inability of a
                            manufacturer, supplier, service provider, etc. to deliver goods or services.
                            What about general liability and umbrella or excess liability?
                            General liability coverage responds when third parties are injured or suffer property damage that is caused by
                            your negligence. The presence of COVID-19 in the community or workplace doesn’t constitute negligence by itself.
                            However, there are exceptions. It could be alleged that a business failed to provide a safe environment or take
                            appropriate steps to protect their clients or other visitors. In this situation, a liability claim could be made. Many
                            general liability policies include coverage for viruses as it relates to third parties. However, we must emphasize
                            that coverage can be different from one policy to the next.
                            If you have an umbrella or excess liability policy, the same observations apply, subject to policy wording. These policies
                            could provide broader coverage as they may have less restrictive exclusions, limitations or definitions.
                            Crane Agency FAQ Series
                            Coronavirus COVID-19 (UPDATED 3/24/2020)
                            Crane Agency
                            Insurance & Risk Management Solutions
                            St. Louis Chesterfield Springfield Kansas City
                            What about my pollution/environmental policy?
                            If you have purchased a separate pollution/environmental liability policy, we recommend a review for possible
                            coverage. There is no standardization in these policies and terms can be significantly different from one policy to
                            the next. Some pollution/environmental policies include coverage for remediation of a pollutant at your
                            scheduled premises. This coverage should be reviewed for potential decontamination coverage.
                            What about my workers compensation policy?
                            Workers compensation coverage requires that an injury or illness must be specific to the exposures of an industry.
                            Employees who become ill due to the common cold or flu, even though they caught it from a fellow employee,
                            does not fall within the scope of workers compensation. However, there are some industries where employees
                            are exposed to coronavirus while performing their duties. For example, hospital healthcare staff exposed while
                            caring for infected patients could fall within the scope of workers compensation coverage. Whether an injury or
                            illness is a covered workers compensation claim is determined by state law, and laws vary by state.
                            What about other policies that might respond?
                            Depending on the nature of the allegations, management liability policies covering directors and officers might
                            respond. This could be the result of complaints where it is alleged the directors or officers didn’t respond
                            appropriately to the Covid-19 threat, thus resulting in damage to the company, customers or employees. Under
                            most D&O policies, the trigger is usually a claim of financial loss created by the company’s inadequate response
                            to the situation. Consider what you can do to minimize the damage COVID-19 could cause to your business
                            operations.
                            If you have an international policy and the illness manifested itself while abroad, there could be coverage under
                            the voluntary workers compensation and/or travel accident and sickness sections of the policy. Again, such policies
                            are not standardized, you will need to carefully review your own policy with respect to the situation at hand.
                            Are there any other things I should do or consider?
                            There are non-insurance issues to consider. For example, OSHA and other regulations require employers to
                            provide a safe workplace that is free of hazards that are likely to cause harm. This includes providing appropriate
                            safety and protective equipment for your employees. This requirement may vary with the type of operation you
                            have. For example, a medical facility has an obviously greater exposure for communicable disease situations than
                            an office or construction risk. All businesses should make available items such as cleaning wipes and hand
                            sanitizers to employees.
                            Consider what you can do to minimize the COVID-19 risks. Remind your employees that you, as their employer,
                            are concerned about their overall wellbeing. Remind them of basic sanitation and health practices through
                            employee education. Finally, remember that your COVID-19 and other employee policies should be neutral when
                            dealing with employees.
                            As always, don’t hesitate to contact your Crane broker with your questions.
                            Larry Kirchner
                            President
                            www.HalloweenProductions.com
                            www.BlacklightAttractions.com
                            www.HauntedHouseSupplies.com
                            www.HauntedHouseMagazine.com

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              You can also sign up thru SQUARE

                              https://squareup.com/us/en/l/immediate-support-response
                              Larry Kirchner
                              President
                              www.HalloweenProductions.com
                              www.BlacklightAttractions.com
                              www.HauntedHouseSupplies.com
                              www.HauntedHouseMagazine.com

                              Comment

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