Hello to all my friends, family and colleagues in the Haunted Industry.

Well, it was a grand Halloween season and we got around this year!  One of our clients was the Deputy Commissioner of Parks and Recreations of Mount Vernon New York.  They were a new customer and we came close to losing them due to event insurance policy changes.

In case you did not know, we are the only company in the US that rent out Portable, Inflatable Haunted Attractions, for the past 10 years with out one safety incident.  At least none requiring an insurance claim being filed.  It is a high ticket item, and a hike in insurance coverage means that we are out side the small budget clients.  We carry a basic Inflatable Maze for the smaller budgets, then teach the clients how to add their own decor.  This helps in most cases, but not this year.

You see, there are many little nonprofessionals and armatures who have purchased their own inflatables/bounces and rent them part time on the week end.  Now, I am all into the little guy creating their own business and making a living, (capitalism at its’ best).  What hurts every one in the industry is that these solo/entrepreneurs do not train them selves, read the instructions that come with the units or seek mentors/coaches in the industry to show them the pros and cons of entertaining.  End results, people get injured, maimed and even killed when these units are set up incorrectly.

How do the insurance companies respond!?  They set their policies at double, quad-triple or more to cover these events.  Well, at least for those who use insurance.  That is another discussion for later.  The plan of the insurance companies is to put the small solo/entrepreneurs out of business, since only the very large entertainment companies can afford the new quotes.  Insidious, is it not???  Trust me, with out quoting who, many insurance agents told me this, (the worst of capitalism).

So, what happen with Mount Vernon’s event??  Well, their family event could not afford our Inflatable Maze.   So, we gave them a minny show instead.  Remember,  “We Are All Things Halloween”!  So, we worked within their budgets and gave them, “the best event they have ever had”, quoting the Deputy Commissioner  Sylvia Gadson, (again – capitalism at its’ best).8-)

Moral of this story is be creative, find a way for the show to go on and have fun in the process!

Talk to you all very soon.  Until then, Happy Holidays!!!