HCA Celebrates Our Spooky Awards Judges

As Halloween approaches, we want to take a moment to thank our amazing judges for dedicating their time, insight, and love of all things Halloween to the 2nd annual Spooky Awards.

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible panel of judges:

• Katie Roberts-Mason – Progressive Party Europe
• James Zahn – The Toy Book
• Kevin Johnson – Past HCA President
• Ed Avis – National Costumers Association
• Matt Artz – Halloween Daily News

Their expertise and enthusiasm helped make this year’s Spooky Awards a spectacular celebration of creativity and imagination in the Halloween industry.

This summer, our judges reviewed an extraordinary range of entries, evaluating each for innovation, marketability, trendsetting potential, appeal, and usefulness. From this careful review, the finalists were selected, showcasing the playful and spooky vibes of Halloween. See the official finalists  here, and check out the contenders for our 1st-ever Fan Favorite vote here.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the

HCA Team at info@halloweencostumeassociation.org .

Winners will be announced during an awards ceremony on January 13, 2026 at the  Halloween & Party Expo, the premier trade industry event for all things Halloween. Join us for the big reveal and experience the latest trends, innovative products, and a one-of-a-kind celebration of Halloween creativity!

As the trade industry’s must-attend event, the Expo brings together buyers, media, and industry professionals to connect, discover, and celebrate. Please note: while buyers and media are welcome, this event is not open to consumers. We can’t wait to celebrate!