I don’t know about you, but I’ve always been quite certain ghosts exist. I’ve seen AND heard the buggers several times over the past decade or so. However, I remember just a few short years ago when, if you breathed a word of a spectral experience you had had, people looked at you like you were crazy and began feeling for the knob as they edged toward the door.
But things have changed; my, how they’ve changed. From books to movies to clubs, ‘Spooky’ has gone mainstream. All this normalization of the paranormal, if you will, is due in no small part to the advent of "Ghost Hunters," the TV show in which Jay and Grant demonstrated to the world that there IS another dimension and it’s okay to say so.
Now, they’re even holding conventions on the subject.
At a recent such event, ‘Le Festival D’Esprits’ at the Shreveport, LA municipal auditorium, participants attended lectures (VooDoo Dolls 101, anyone?), shared personal stories, bought specialized equipment, and attended a mass haunt hunt. Sounds like a blast! I’m going to the next one.
Watch out, Trekkie-convention addicts, we ‘ghosties’ are coming right behind you…
Mass Cultural Venues
Paranormal Becoming Normal on Convention Scene
Trend Themes
1. Normalization of the Paranormal - Opportunity for businesses to capitalize on the growing acceptance and interest in the paranormal by offering paranormal-themed events, products, and services.
2. Ghost Hunting Conventions - Emerging trend of hosting conventions dedicated to ghost hunting, creating opportunities for event organizers, equipment manufacturers, and paranormal experts.
3. Mainstreaming of Spooky Culture - Businesses can tap into the mainstream popularity of spooky culture through the production of books, movies, clubs, and other entertainment offerings.
Industry Implications
1. Event Management - Event management companies can explore organizing and hosting ghost hunting conventions, capitalizing on the growing interest in the paranormal.
2. Entertainment - Opportunity for producers and creators in the entertainment industry to develop and market paranormal-themed books, movies, documentaries, and TV shows.
3. Paranormal Equipment Manufacturing - Manufacturers can innovate and produce specialized equipment for ghost hunting, catering to the needs of paranormal enthusiasts and investigators.