Two major trade show producers recently have added specialty conventions to their extensive event portfolios.

Reed Exhibitions acquired the Tiny House & Simple Living Jamboree, a consumer event focused on the growing tiny house movement.

The event will collaborate with the National Tiny House Jamboree to host the world’s largest tiny house and simple living consumer convention, set for Oct. 27-29 at the Arlington Convention Center in Arlington, Texas.

Founded in 2015, the Tiny House & Simple Living Jamboree grew to attract more than 50,000 attendees in just its second year, while the 2017 show is expected to draw close to 60,000 tiny house enthusiasts, builders, sustainability advocates and curiosity seekers.

While the exact number of tiny homes in the U.S. is unknown, there are more than 30 tiny house communities across the country, and the trend appears to be growing as more people look to lessen their environmental footprint, live debt-free and take on less financial risk with large homes and mortgages in uncertain times.

“We are thrilled to bring the Tiny House & Simple Living Jamboree to Arlington,” said Nancy Walsh, president of Reed Exhibitions U.S.

She continued, “We recognize the growth in the tiny house movement and appreciate the passion of those devoted to small, smart and sustainable living. As we grow the event and increase education around the industry, we are looking to expand into other cities to expose more people to this exciting movement.”

Featuring 60 tiny house structures, exhibits, keynote speakers, entertainment and kids’ zones, the event will also offer 30 hours of educational programming covering a wide range of topics including preparing for your first weekend in a tiny house; tiny building practices; techniques for downsizing, and simple, smart and sustainable living solutions.

In addition, attendees will have the chance to explore a variety of tiny living products and services such as construction equipment, furnishings and appliances, interior design and outdoor living products.

New to the show will be the DIY Village, where tiny house owners can relocate their living quarters to the event’s outdoor exhibit space.

Throughout the festival, curious visitors will have the opportunity to explore the structures and ask homeowners about building and living the tiny house life.

Meanwhile, Urban Expositions acquired HAuNTcon, the Haunted Attraction National Tradeshow and Conference for the Haunted House Industry, complementing its specialty portfolio that includes Halloween & Party Expo, while reinforcing its market position for the Halloween, party and celebration industries.

Beginning in 2018, HAuNTcon and Halloween & Party Expo will collocate under one roof at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

Set for Jan 12-15, the combined events will provide Halloween and haunt professionals with one-stop access to a comprehensive range of products and services including haunted attractions, costume stores, party stores, amusement and theme parks, family entertainment centers, grocers, drug stores and gift stores. 

In addition, the two global industry brands will join forces to share industry trends, offer innovative and relevant education, and provide a collaborative environment for networking and business exchanges, thereby providing an enhanced experience for an anticipated 3,000 industry professionals and 350 exhibitors.

“HAuNTcon brings together people who love Haunted Houses, Halloween and scaring people, for four fun-filled days and nights of haunt tours, special events, education and networking,” said Leonard Pickel, HAuNTcon founder, who will continue with the show as industry advisor and work with the Urban team on joint activities including educational offerings, specialty tours and the HAuNTcon costume ball. 

He continued, “Teaming up and co-locating with Halloween & Party Expo allows us to take HAuNTcon to a totally new level that we could not have possibly done before.”

With U.S. consumers spending more than $8 billion on the spooky holiday in 2016, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey, it makes sense that Urban would combine the two events into a larger, more enhanced experience for those who make their living from one of the nation’s largest commercial holidays.

According to Michael Carlucci, senior vice president of Urban Expositions’ specialty show portfolio, Halloween attraction owners will indeed benefit from an expanded exhibit hall, advanced education program and more networking opportunities. 

“We are thrilled to offer our customers this opportunity to develop relationships with professionals representing the entire spectrum of the Halloween market in New Orleans this January,” Carlucci said. 

He added, “This collaboration is just one example of our strategic priority to add value for our customers. We look forward to working with Leonard, who brings a level of expertise in Haunt to our team.”

Going forward, the goal of the two events will remain the same – to offer both buyers and exhibitors new business opportunities and in-person connections within the industry, according to Michele Biordi, executive director of the Halloween Industry Association and partner of the Halloween & Party Expo.

“The decision to collocate these two events was made to offer face-to-face business and networking solutions to haunted attraction owners, as well as Halloween and party retailers, to network and share best practices all under one roof,” she said.