--- title: "Halloween: Tricks and Treats from Associations" id: "14111" type: "post" slug: "halloween-tricks-and-treats-from-associations" published_at: "2012-10-31T18:56:42+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-15T19:03:41+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2012/10/31/halloween-tricks-and-treats-from-associations/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2012/10/31/halloween-tricks-and-treats-from-associations.md" excerpt: "As costumed kids (and grown-ups, who are we kidding?) head out tonight, associations are helping to keep Halloween spooky—and safe." taxonomy_category: - "Marketing / Communications" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "festivals" - "Halloween" - "Leadership" - "toy industry" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Halloween: Tricks and Treats from Associations With ghouls, goblins, witches, and superheroes preparing to run rampant in the streets in search of sugary treats, we wondered about how associations contribute to the Halloween tradition. Here’s a snapshot: ### Frightful Fun The **Halloween Industry Association**, officially incorporated as a 501(c)(6) in 2005, serves to “promote and build the celebration of Halloween in the United States,” [according to its website (opens in a new tab)](http://www.hiaonline.org/index.php?module=Pagesetter&func=viewpub&tid=3&pid=1) . HIA represents businesses that manufacture, import, and distribute Halloween products, including costumes, decorations, party supplies, and novelty items. A lot of those items are put to use in haunted houses throughout the country, which have an organization of their own: The **Haunted House Association** helps connect nonprofit haunters, actors, set designers, haunted house suppliers, and other related vendors. The organization “was established to assist and advance the haunted house industry through communication, education, and information,” [according to HHA’s website (opens in a new tab)](http://www.hauntedhouseassociation.org/about_haunted_attraction_association.cfm) . What’s Halloween without costumes? Just a bunch of neighbors going door to door asking for handouts, really. Since 1923, the **National Costumers Association** has kept Halloween much more interesting than that, supporting promotion and expansion of the costume industry. And speaking of candy, the **National Confectioners Association** has [a webpage specially designed for the All Hallows Eve (opens in a new tab)](http://www.candyusa.com/FunStuff/HalHoldiayNewsDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=1931&navItemNumber=1948) . In addition to sharing fun facts about Halloween and candy corn, NCA reports the results of a poll that shows adults are stashing candy for themselves. “Adults are looking to share the sweetness of the holiday by giving out, and in many cases saving for themselves, their personal favorite treats,” said NCA Vice President of Communications Susan Whiteside [in a statement (opens in a new tab)](http://www.candyusa.com/FunStuff/HalHoldiayNewsDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=1931&navItemNumber=1948) . ### Safety First The American Lung Association shares [helpful tips (opens in a new tab)](http://www.lung.org/about-us/our-impact/top-stories/dont-get-spooked-by-asthma.html) each Halloween on how to prevent asthma attacks while trick-or-treating. Masks and makeup can trigger asthma, as can food allergies and stress from hay rides and haunted houses, the association reports. Also on the health front, the American Heart Association [offers tips each year (opens in a new tab)](http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/HealthierKids/HowtoMakeaHealthyHome/How-to-Have-a-Heart-Healthy-Halloween_UCM_317432_Article.jsp) for parents to help their kids maintain a healthy heart and still enjoy the treats they collect. AHA also has advice on what to do with all of that leftover candy. Know of other organizations that play a role in making Halloween happen? Let us know in the comments. (photo by wwarby) [Rob Stott](https://associationsnow.com/author/rob-stott/) Rob Stott is a contributing editor to Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/rob-stott/) Tags: [#festivals](https://associationsnow.com/tag/festivals/) [#Halloween](https://associationsnow.com/tag/halloween/) [#Leadership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/leadership/) [#toy industry](https://associationsnow.com/tag/toy-industry/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [PodcastAssociations NOW Presents: More Than Marketing: The Power of Strategic CommunicationsJuly 30, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/07/30/associations-now-presents-more-than-marketing-the-power-of-strategic-communications/) - [PodcastAssociations NOW Presents: Why Slower Marketing Can Drive Stronger Member Engagement (Episode 27)June 25, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/06/25/associations-now-presents-why-slower-marketing-can-drive-stronger-member-engagement-episode-27/) - [TemplateMembers onlyMember Onboarding ToolkitNovember 5, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/11/05/member-onboarding-toolkit/) - [PodcastAssociations Now Presents: Beyond the Tech Stack: How AI Is Changing the Association PlaybookOctober 29, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/10/29/associations-now-presents-beyond-the-tech-stack-how-ai-is-changing-the-association-playbook/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2012%2F10%2F31%2Fhalloween-tricks-and-treats-from-associations%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !