Newsletter  No. 29                                                                  Nov. 3, 2015

Is your Club or Organization attending DS2016?
SNO-lympics
245 days and Counting!
In This Issue
Workshop Presenter Sign-Ups and Suggestions.

The Parade of Red Suits
Click here to read past Newsletters 
Click here to visit our Committee Web Pages
Hello Kringles!

 
As we begin our holiday season, please know that we will try to send you a weekly newsletter on the convention and keep you updated on everything.  

 

This week we have information on some of the groups that will be atttending and we invite any and all to be listed on the convention web site and eventually in the conveiton program book, too!

 

Also this week, we have some information on SNO-lympics on of the fun activities we have planned for the convention.

 

Santa Ron Campbell has agreed to be the Chairman for SNO-lympics and is currently starting to put together a committee.

 

Santacerely,

 

Santa Tim Connaghan

General Chairman

DiscoverSanta2016

[email protected]
LOCAL, REGIONAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL GROUPS TO ATTEND DS2016

When the first "Discover Santa" convention was hosted in 2006, the Santa community was just starting to grow.  At that time there was one national association with 700 on their mailing list.  

here were also a few smaller clubs and groups, plus a few internet chat rooms.   Most of them were informal and a few were actually marketing or promotion events for theme attractions or businesses.

Since that first convention, the Santa community has evolved.  No one truly knows how may Santas are out there.  But some have estimated that the Santa community may be as large as 4,000 or even 5,000 Santas.  

And the Santa community now includes over 40 regional, national, international and internet organizations, many of whom will be represented at DS2016.

As part of DS2016,  one evening, Wednesday, July 6 has been set aside for any and all groups attending to to host their own meeting or event, private or public.  Thes can be a simple as a get-together at a hotel or restaurant, or a group outing to a show or attraction.

If your organization is planning something at DS2016, or if you are just going to have some members attending, we would like to post information here for all to know and for your members to know who to contact.   Please send all information to:  [email protected]


CURRENT CHAIRPERSONS - OUR STEERING COMMITTEE

The key leadership for the convention comes from the Steering Committee, which consists of the Chairpersons of the many Committees.  You can always find an updated list with email addresses on the main web site at www.DiscoverSanta2016.com/Committees  



Santa is assumed to be a person that enjoys fun and games.  And although he is a 'big' man, he is know to be agile, atheletic and flexible.  

So competing in some games and competitions should not be a problem for him.   Or for Mrs. Claus either.

SNO-lympics is a collection of individual and group competitions in events that rely on the many skills and talents that Santa and Mrs. Claus have developed over the centuries.

NOTE:  All of these activities are designed with the age of the Santas and Mrs. Claus in mind.  Although many of us are quite active, these are not strenuous events and in many cases require more mental than physical activity.  Some events can even be done sitting down.

Below is a list of proposed games and competitions that may be included in SNO-lympics™.  We are still working on what events will be included or dropped.  And, if you have a suggestion for a game, please contact our SNO-lympics Chairman,  Santa Ron Campbell
  • The UN-Run -  Yes, it is one of those wonderful 10k runs!  Except, no-one is being asked to run!  Santas, Mrs. Claus and friends can sign-up, get their t-shirts and race numbers, pose for photos at the finish line, and then relax and enjoy refreshments and some entertainment as they support one of our favorite charities.
  • Toy Bag Toss  - Similar to the discus or hammer throw, Teams of Santas will compete to see who can throw a ten-pound toy bag (canvas mail bag) the furthest.  Awards to the top teams and individuals.
  • Santa Relay - Teams of Santas will competed in a Christmas themed relay.   The teams with the best time will play off of each other until there is one National winner.
  • Christmas Tree Decorating - Teams of Mrs. Claus and Santas will have an opportunity to decorate Christmas trees.  Regional teams will compete in decorating a Christmas Tree.  Both Team and individual Awards will be presented for neatness, symetery, creativity, use of all items and speed.
  • Package Reassembly - Santas and Santa Helpers will compete in re-packaging a toy, back to it's original store bought condition.   Scoring will be based on time, correct packaging and use of all parts and pieces.
  • Gift Wrapping - Both Santas and Mrs. Claus will compete in gift wrapping of a present
  • Tug-of War - State and Regional teams will compete in a traditional demonstration of strength.   Tug of War
  • Obstacle Course -  This special obstacle course will test the skills a Santa has in arriving at a home and getting from the roof top to the Christmas Tree, leaving the packages, and back to his sleigh.  There will be timed competitions for four man teams with awards presented for the fastest team and top three individual scores.
  • Stocking Stuffing - Santas will compete to see who can fill five stockings in the shortest amount of time.
  • Toy Sorting - Santas will compete in sorting out gifts for boys and girls, etc.
  • Cookie Decorating -  Mrs. Claus and Helpers will compete to see who can decorate a dozen cookies the fastest, using all of the decorating items supplied.  Awards will be given for neatness, creativity, and speed.
  • Fruitcake Pass and Receive - Santas will toss fruitcakes downfield, o their designated receivers downfield.  Judging will be on precision, distance and keeping the fruitcake in one piece
Please note that although the event descriptions list the events for Santas or for Mrs. Claus, we are open to any suggestions on how to make the games fun for everyone. 
DS2016 REGISTRATION 

Registration and Sign-Ups for Discover Santa 2016 is an ongoing task being head up by Taunya Lay at Branson Ticket and Travel (BT&T). She coordinated our 2006 convention and with the team of experts at BT&T she is again doing a fantastic job. 

We have packages to fit every Santa and Mrs. Claus' pocket book. Click here to view the Registration Page.

We set up the convention registration knowing full-well that most of the convention attendees would be Seniors and those on controlled or limited income flow.  We do need an initial deposit, but after that you can pay something monthly.  The balance needs to be paid on or around March 1, 2016.  Taunya can give you all the details.   

By the way, deposits for those not needing a hotel room are much less.

You can view all of the packages on our web site and submit your registration at any time.

Once your registration form is received, Taunya will contact you.  Usually within 48 hours. She will review your registration and work with you in paying for your registration.  If you need, she can work with you in splitting up the payments.   

Or Call Taunya at Branson Ticket & Travel 800-432-4202
NEXT WEEK

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