Scott Swenson

Adding Killer Food & Beverage to your haunt is a great way to boost revenue, and these Bar & Restaurant Expo trends will get you started. Subscribe to future episodes of Green Tagged https://greentaggedshow.com/.

Sustainability, Safety, and Staffing- these areas continue to be challenging in the attractions industry. We don't have answers yet, but IAAPA plans to ask questions. We'll discuss what it might mean for the industry and whether politics has anything...

Everything you need to know about the Disney VS DeSantis debacle involving the new Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. We're moving Green Tagged to a standalone feed; if you want to subscribe, visit https://greentaggedshow.com/ or...

Theme parks nationwide have announced expanded Halloween schedules; meanwhile, more horror experiences are opening up in the off-season. Will 2023 be the Year of Year-round horror? In this episode, we look at the Creepiest Trends for 2023. Support for...

We recap the major takeaways from the First Annual IAAPA North American Trade Summit, specifically, the central theme of Authentic Reality. The IAAPA Trade Summits have replaced the former Leadership Summits, and each region will host a local trade...

https://scottswenson.com/ shares a design hack – incorporating easter eggs (AKA Hidden narrative moments) into your haunt for your best customers to discover. Support for this episode comes from Gantom Lighting and Controls. See what you’re missing...

Should you hire a consultant for your haunt, and how do you begin? Today, https://scottswenson.com/ explains what makes a great consultant, things to avoid when hiring the right one, and why you might not even need one. If you want …

Today’s episode is from one of those partners – A Scott in the Dark, hosted by Scott Swenson. Today, Scott discusses crafting a pitch for new or existing clients. Support for this episode comes from Gantom Lighting and Controls. See …

We discuss the return of Bob Iger as CEO of the Walt Disney Company.

Scott and Philip outline their plan for the annual IAAPA expo in Orlando.

Cedar Fair Earnings are great; Supply chains will be strained more for Chinese New Year; Seoul's Halloween Stampede is a cautionary tale.

Scott and Philip discuss the 2022 Halloween Season

Scott and Philip take a break from the news to discuss marketing a Halloween event at your attraction.

The price of Genie+ will increase at both Disneyland and the Walt Disney World resort. Plus, we review a listener message about TikTok and takeaways from the new secret bars at Hush haunted attraction.

The WTO's outlook for 2023 isn't great. Scott and discuss what that means for the attraction industry, plus takeaways from Eastern State Penitentiary.

While parks have reopened after Hurricane Ian, Knott’s tweaked their chaperone policy, and Kennywood reels from shooting during Phantom Fall Fest. Follow along to our Hauntathon: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

We break down Bob Iger's interview for Code, Dark Nights at Hersheypark, and DARK at Fort Edmonton park.

We recap the Disney Parks announcements from D23, including Pacific Wharf in Disney California Adventure Park to Be Reimagined into San Fransokyo from “Big Hero 6;” Disney100 Celebration at Disneyland Resort Kicks Off in Late January 2023, and EPCOT's...

The Vault of Souls is BACK and this year – not all the spirits are cooperating. The Vault of Souls is an experience we’ve covered since Year 1. Written and developed by Scott Swenson, it’s an elegant evening of fear …

Today, the new maze for this year’s Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld Orlando is Blood Beckoning. Now in its 2nd year, Howl-O-Scream at Orlando has an overall theme and the main villains are sirens. This year, Scratch the Blood Siren has a …

Scott and Philip celebrate their 2 year anniversary by reflecting on Lost island's early closure and the opening of Halloween Horror Nights

Disney is listening to guest reactions and is adjusting several policies, including Magic Keys and reservations. Plus, Year 2 of Seaworld Orlando’s Howl-o-Scream demonstrates an impressive amount of story cohesion. Subscribe to all our offerings:...

Today, Scott Swenson will discuss integrating Halloween into attractions of all sizes and shapes, such as Museums, Zoos, Aquariums, Restaurants, and Retail locations. For haunters, take these ideas to a local attraction to create a new experience. For...

For the first time, streaming outperformed cable & broadcast TV; Shanghai factories are shut down again due to record heat waves; Both Knott’s and Universal Orlando test chaperone policies to curb violence at their parks in preparation for Halloween....

More earnings reports are out, and we'll compare and contrast Six Flags with Disney. Despite record attendance at its competitors, Six Flags is losing crowds. The chain will attempt to copy the Disney playbook, despite having assets that don't align...

Coming up, we’re discuss the earnings reports from Universal and Cedar Fair – plus changing ticketing policies at Tokyo Disney. Subscribe to all our offerings: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Today we discuss the CDC lifting restrictions for Cruise Ships; Hong Kong Disneyland Resort enhancing cast benefits; GDP data fanning concerns about a U.S. recession; and why Meta’s Profit is down 36%. Subscribe to all our offerings:...

Coming up, Scott Swenson explains why you should design easter eggs into your haunt to engage your superfans. Apply for our Hauntathon before July 29th ( http://hauntathon.info/ ) and Subscribe to all our offerings:...

Scott and Philip go on an extended discussion about chaperone policies at your attraction and preparing for violence in the Fall Season. Then, we discuss the ICON park theme recall and the new Halloween announcements from Universal Studios Japan....

This week: Hersheypark announces Dark Nights Halloween event with haunted houses and Scare Zones; Legoland's Lego Monster Party returns; Nope Experience at Universal Studios Hollywood. Subscribe to all our offerings:...

This week we’re sticking to I-5 for a few stories including girl injured by flying cellphone, Oogie Boogie Bash has sold out, Universal Studios Hollywood adds ‘Nope’ Jupiter’s Claim set to Studio Tour, and United has expanded their pilot program. …

Coming up, we’ll discuss Bob Chapek’s extension, the closing of California’s Great America, and Pride Day celebrates inclusion at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Subscribe to all our offerings: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Today we discuss Disney’s new Abortion Travel Credit, 13th Floor Entertainment Group’s new event Shaqtoberfest, and the opening of Volkanu from Sally Dark Rides. Subscribe to all our offerings: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

They say that the best thing about cruising is seeing new places, but it turns out there's more than just scenery on a ship. In this video, Scott explores how the new ‘Carnival Mardi Gras’ ship has been designed with …

Disney unveils a new luxury experience, Universal Orlando unveils escape rooms, Ghost Town Alive! and Forbidden Frontier are returning for the 2022 season, and Electric Ocean comes to SeaWorld Orlando.

Coming up - How to Effectively Manage Your Time When Running a Haunted Attraction. Scott Swenson explains how working "time smart" will prevent your event from creeping up on you.

In our first "IRL" episode, Scott takes us on-location to the Indianapolis Zoo for a construction update. Then, Philip speaks with Brian Morrow at BMorrow Productions HQ about the recession, staffing, upcoming projects, and working with IP.

Tiqets.com published “Must-Know Travel Industry Trends For the 2022 High Season” and we dig into the report and discuss some key takeaways. We also discuss the Shanghai reopening, Castaway Cove’s staffing, the live production of “The Greatest Show On...

This week we recap Licensing Expo 2022, discuss Ocean Park Hong Kong’s new water park, Hersheypark’s 2 new rides, Rocky Mountain Construction’s apprentice program, the Milwaukee County Zoo requiring masks, and the Drive-thru zoo experience returns to...

Coming up, Big Moves in the Right Direction. We’ll talk about Disney’s pride collection, Pirates of Speelunker Cave, the Summer Celebration at Busch Gardens Tampa, and how attractions are using TikTok. All that and more on this episode of GT …

This week Scott and Philip argue quite a bit over the Six Flags Q1 Earnings and Meow Wolf’s 2 new locations. Plus, are teens convinced about the Metaverse? Show notes: https://www.haunt.news/green-tagged-make-your-position-known

Attractions are doing everything they can to mitigate the upcoming rush. This week: The new queueless experience from Disney, SeaWorld and Cedar Fair are seeing financial recovery (despite still losing millions), Universal staffs up, and performer safety.

In the wake of recent violence against live performers, Scott discusses the importance of performer safety.

Fearworm is the first and largest full-service marketing agency dedicated to haunted houses; Today, we’ll learn about their firm and get a tip for managing your haunt’s social media.

We’ll review the most important new attractions openings and break down why they’re all continuations of ongoing trends.

This week we explore stories of staffing, acquisition, diversification, and breaking the 4th wall.

Pittsburgh Poster is a large format printer and manufacturer of screen printing, digital and hybrid products. Their parent company Design Dynamics, Inc. is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year.

After a round of Quick Hits, we discuss the recent string of acquisitions and Universal’s new housing project.

NightScream Studios received one of this year’s Vendor Excellence Awards – right after selling out on the show floor.

Supply chain disruptions are back as attractions also struggle with training new staff. Meanwhile, it’s full steam ahead for a record fall season.

Recorded at the 2022 Transworld Halloween, Christmas, and Escape Room show in St. Louis

Today is day 2 of Transworld’s Halloween & Attraction show in St Louis. This show is always pure madness, and this year is no exception.

Scott shares his suggestions for getting the most out of a trade show.