Halloween Industry Pioneer David Bertolino to be featured Saturday Event at CreepIE Horror Convention
ONTARIO, Calif. — July 10–12, 2026 — One of the most influential figures in the history of the Halloween and haunted attraction industry will make a special appearance at CreepIE Horror Convention when David Bertolino, founder of Spookyworld and the Haunt Attraction Association, appears as a guest throughout the convention weekend in Ontario, California.
The weekend will be highlighted by a special Saturday Q&A at 1:00 p.m. on July 11, hosted by the team from Bloody Disgusting, one of horror’s leading media outlets. The discussion will take fans behind the screams of the haunted attraction and horror entertainment industry through stories and insights from one of its true pioneers.
The conversation will explore the history and cultural impact of Spookyworld, the evolution of the haunted attraction industry, behind-the-scenes stories from the world of horror entertainment, and Bertolino’s role in helping transform Halloween into a major entertainment industry.
Widely recognized as one of the founding fathers of the modern haunt industry, Bertolino established the Haunt Attraction Association in 1991, creating the first national organization dedicated to haunted attractions at a time when the industry had no unified voice. Today, the association includes more than 4,000 members and continues to shape haunted attractions throughout North America.
For more than three decades, Bertolino has been a driving force behind haunted houses, horror-themed amusement attractions, Halloween events, themed restaurants, and immersive horror experiences. His expertise is so widely respected that he has testified in United States federal courts as an expert witness on Halloween- and horror-related matters.
EVENT DETAILS
CreepIE Horror Convention
Dates: July 10–12, 2026
Location: Ontario, California
Featured Event
Saturday, July 11, 2026 • 1:00 p.m.
David Bertolino Q&A
Hosted by Bloody Disgusting
Book Signing
Behind the Screams at Spookyworld
Bertolino is best known as the creator of Spookyworld, the groundbreaking attraction that revolutionized haunted entertainment and inspired countless haunted attractions across the country. His story is chronicled in the acclaimed documentary Spooktacular!, which traces Spookyworld’s rise from a local attraction to a national cultural phenomenon.
In addition to the Saturday Q&A, Bertolino will be signing copies of his newly released book, Behind the Screams at Spookyworld, an insider’s account of the creation of Spookyworld and the birth of the modern haunted attraction industry.
“David Bertolino didn’t simply build a haunted attraction—he helped create an entire industry,” said convention organizers. “This is a rare opportunity for fans, historians, attraction owners, and Halloween enthusiasts to hear directly from one of the most influential figures in horror entertainment.”
The CreepIE Horror Convention has become one of the nation’s premier horror events, attracting fans, filmmakers, musicians, authors, actors, and industry professionals from across the country.
