Newsletter  No. 36                                                                  February 25, 2015

Support our Vendors
Chairpersons and Committees
131 days until DS 2016
In This Issue
Kringle Family Showcase Vendor List
Lining up Chairpersons and giving them their assignments
Click here to read past Newsletters 
Click here to visit our Committee Web Pages

We are just four months from DS2016 and the activity in the planning and promotion are getting more and more detailed.

We have lots of great vendors and hope yuou will consider them for any of youir needs.

The Program chairman is working on the semi final list of presenters and the parade committee is als getting their feet wet.  

From here on out, we will try to send two newsletters each week, as there is so much to tell everyone and to remind all of what will be happening in Branson. 

If you have any questions or want to discuss anything, please feel free to contact me. 

Santacerely,

Santa Tim Connaghan
General Chairman
DiscoverSanta2016


We are proud to have possibly the largest and finest group oif vendors attending DS2016

Below is a complete list of the Vendors and a bit about their products and services.  We are asking all of the vendors to give us lists of their products and services, to include in the directory. We will also include their email and web site addresses and telephone numbers. This will be an ongoing task during the next month or so.  

And each week we will spotlight a few of the vendors, so that you will be totally up to date before you come to DS2016.  To contact hte vendors now just visit the convention web site and find the links.  You can find out more about the vendors and actually search the site by keywords for the products or services you are looking for.  This will become more detailed as the vendors give us their information.

Additionally if you are looking for a custom suit or clothing, you will be able to contact the vendor in advance and make an appointment to be measured and make you order.
Vendor
Merchandise or Service
Host
Santa Belts Custom Buckles and Belts for Santa, plus accessories to enhance your Santa Wardrobe Santa Richard Christie 
www.santabelts.com
SantaSCents Custom Fragrances for Santa and Mrs. Claus.  Christmas Scented colognes, beard balm, beard oils, chap stick, hand cream & body soufflé moisturize  The Gabrelciks, Randy, Debra, Allison and Paige
www.santascents.com
Seats for Santa Custom Santa Benches and Chairs Santa Jim Williams
www.seatsforsanta.com 
Santas Clauset Wardrobe, Casual Wear & Accessories for Santa and Mrs. Claus Santa Tom Cortemeglia
santasclauset.org
Mrs. Claus  Creations Custom apparel, accessories and props, and web site creation for Santa and Mrs. Claus  Cheryl Saxrud
www.mrsclauscreations.com
Sew Santa Custom Hand-Made & Embroidered Santa Suits, Vests, Jackets, Hats, Bib Overalls, Capes, Robes.  Mrs. Claus Dresses Sherri Heath, Designer/Seamstress
www.sewsanta.com 
Little Darlin's Creations  Tailor made Santa & Mrs. Claus wear, custom on site embroidery Darlene and Santa Rex Ray
www.littledarlinscreations.com
Santa & Co., LLC The World's Finest Santa Apparel Sam Mitello
www.SantaSuitOrder.com
The Noerr Programs Corporation
GOLD SPONSOR		 Turn-key digital photography for Holiday Events.  Judy Noerr
www.NoerrPrograms.com
Santa Accessories Cooling Vests, Head Cooler, Santa's Red Finger, Jewelry, Santa & Mrs. Claus Clothing & Much More!  Santa Terry Lenahan
www.santaaccessories.com
J & R Santaprises Custom Santa & Mrs. Claus apparel designed & tailored by award winning theatrical costumers  Brittany Johnson and Elizabeth Rasmusson
www.JandRsantaprises.com
Cherry Hill Photo
SILVER SPONSOR
 Since 1961 Cherry Hill Photo has helped to create magic at Malls and Shopping Centers Across America.  In 2014 they hired over 500 real bearded Santas.
 Dianne Plover 
www.cherryhillphoto.com
Fantasy Factory and ProKnows Photo Friendly Kits;
Q Systems ( in ear receiver; and Transmitter )
John Spears Custom Leather Boots
Santa Leon McBride
www.proknows.com 
Triangle Santa.com Book "Santaology, The Art of Being a World Class Santa Claus Impersonator" by me & Santa Props  Santa Steve Gillham
www.trianglesanta.com 
Remarque Gallery Santa Claus themed artwork and collectibles Santa Cliff Snider
www.CliffKringle.com
Santa's Toy Bags / I Know Santa Utah  Just the best SANTA'S TOY BAGS you've ever wished you owned!  Ann & Cathryn Hatch
Santa Be Me "Santa Many Whisker's Magic Keys"
4 styles Solid Brass Keys, "Key Fobs" 4 sizes Leather .
Larry & Laura McEntire 
JollySantaClaus.com Build your own Website!
Be live on the web in minutes, customize how you want, change in 1 click.
Todd Gauthier and Stan Dale
Professional Santa Claus School 34th Annual Santa Educational Conference in Denver CO
Driver's Licenses
Susan Mesco
Professional Santa Claus School
www.AmerEvents.com/santa-claus-school
Spangle & Company  Santas4Rent.com, Keys, Printing, Hats, Star Dust (Glitter), Bells, License Plates, Gloves, Stickers  Spangle Clown
J Rosa Photography  On-site photography studio, choose from two backgrounds ~ Santa's Workshop or a classic Winter Scene  Jessica Rosa 
Eight Tiny Reindeer Bell & Boot Buckles, Booches, Custom Wardrobe, Faux Fur, Toy Bags & Vests Steve Pulera and Kyle Pollock
Classic Creations   Rhinestone enhanced clothing. Ladies clothing in stock. We also enhance personal clothing for other  Nan Smardon
Connie Forsythe 
Santa Clausing Vintage Santa Glasses
Santa Staffs
Vintage Santa collectables
Nick Kuykendall
WorldWide Photography   Holiday Promotion Photos throughout the United States.  Kristi Cooper & Becky Norman
www.wwponline.com
Upscale St.  Nick Handmade zip-up neckties, Embroidered pocket squares, Belt pouches, and Mrs. Clause accessories.  Iris and Dan Broyles  www.UpscaleStNick.com
Santa's Drill Team / Clan Claus / Knights of St. Nicholas Santa Bob Elkin / Santa Kona Gant
www.ptsantadrillteam.com
www.clanclaussociety.com
www.santaclaushall.com
International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas (IBRBS) Santa Tom Carmody
www.ibrbsantas.org
Adele's of Hollywood / School4Santas  / Santa's Wardrobe / Capri Boots / Oriental Trading. Custom Santa and Mrs. Claus clothing from Adele's of Hollywood, plus custom boots from Capri Shoes and Santa Merchandise packages from Oriental Trading.  Adele & Tim Connaghan
www.adelescostumes.com www.School4Santas.com
Sunshine and Company Tom and Kitty Kuhr 
Pinky's Puppets Puppets , puppet clothing and accessories, Christmas trinkets ( what- nots)  "Pinky" Theresa Garrett 
Custom Wig Company Custom and handmade Santa wigs, beards and facial hair items.  Heather Fleming
www.customwigcompany.com
New Creation Leather Custom Handcrafted Santa Belts.
Buckles, Santa Bags and Bell Straps.
Greg Wood - www.NewCreationLeathercraft.com
The Sewing Elves Custom Designed Santa Clothing and Accessories
Detachable Fur
 Linda Gordon & Annette Campbell
www.TheSewingElves.com
Dove Chocolate Discoveries Candy, Cake and Brownie mixes, savory cooking products, drink mixes, etc. Samples available  Tina Giordano
www.mychocolateshop.net
Carousel Pubishiing National award winning Santa book and activities for groups of children: The Myth of Santa's Beard  Sharon Thayer   www.carousel-publishing.com
Santa for Hire SantaForHire.com Providing Real Bearded Santas sine 1999 We find work for Santa  Brian Wilson and Marcus Mindte  www.santaforhire.com   [email protected]
Santa Claus and Company Web Site Design and scheduling software Sal Giorlando and Mark Brennermann www.santaclausandcompany.com
Wolek's Famous Moustaches & Beards  Santa Claus Beards, Moustaches, and Wigs, Mrs Claus Wigs, and wig accessories.  Ron Wolek www.moustacheparlour.com

   
UPDATE - Lining up Chairpersons 

Since last week we have filled in a few more p;ositions on general committee. 

As I mentioned last week  I am still looking for some special volunteers, with special backgrounds to help out.  Are you a DJ, a media publicist or reporter?   Have you coordinate entertainment or produced a live show?  if  you have please let me know.  

And remember, there is compensation paid to you depending on the amount of work or volunteering you do. This can ranges from a cash stipend to full registration and your room too! depending on the job you handle.

We currently have the following chairpersons.  

Kringle Famiy Showcase (Vendors)    Bob Elkin
Workshops     Santa Bob Elkin
Blood Drive     Santa Kevin Scott
Parade of Red Suits   Bill Lomas; Santa Roger Edmonds & Santa Jim Herbermann
Fashion Show     Santa Larry Shaw & Hoosier Santas
Hall of Fame   Santa Phil Wenz
ADA - Special Needs    Debra Gabrelcik
Shuttle Buses     Santa Randy Gabrelcik
SNO-lympics     Santa Ron Campbell
Entertainment / General Sessions     Santa Bill & Jeanne Pattison
Logistics , Facilities and Equipment      Santa Jim Rizzio
Registration / Hotels   Taunya Lay
Advertising & Sponsors    Santa Steve Eastis
Artwork    Santa Greg Gilpin
DVD Recordings    Greg Stavish - Digivision
Welcome Committee     Trish Parris
Volunteers / Manpower   Santa Dale Parris

But, there are still some opportunities for qualified individuals to step up and chair one of the following committees:

Golf
Public Relations and Marketing
Social Media monitor/producer
DJ - Audio Visual and Music coordinator
Photography/videography/documentary

Compensation for Chairpersons.
All general volunteers will have special recognition on their registration badges and will receive a minimum $50 stipend or compensation in exchange for their contribution or services to the convention and their fellow Santas. 

Individuals who volunteer on a larger scale, Chairpersons or those who handle special tasks, will receive additional compensation in the form the general registration ($377.00), sans lodging, or as agreed upon, prior to their volunteer work.  Some volunteer work may occur on days before or after the convention.  The more involved the chairperson's job the larger the compensation.
 
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  

REGISTRATION UPDATE

ALMOST 750 REGISTERED!

Balance on Early Bird registrations due by February 29!

My dream for DS2016 is to have at least 1,000 Santas and Mrs Claus attend the convention  We are almost at 750!

Over the  holidays we did loose a few registrations due to schedule conflicts and changes in personal agendas. But in the ast few weeks we have made all that back and more.

I f you have been thinking of attending DS2016, or maybe you have just been waiting for you Christmas Income to arrive.   Well, now is a good time to register.

Registering now also insures you have a little better chance of getting the room and hotel you want.

As we have been telling everyone for months. Registration and Sign-Ups for Discover Santa 2016 can be done any time 24-7-365. Taunya Lay at Branson Ticket and Travel (BT&T), is the lovely lady who has been helping Santas and Mrs. Claus ever since 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.

BUSES FOR GROUP OUTINGS

If you are planning a group or regional outing or trip to a show or dinner, check with Taunya for buses & vans  She will have a special fleet of buses and vans, brought in for the week as there are not many in Branson. These are dedicated to the convention and she can save you money by letting you use equipment and drivers that are already in Branson.

REMINDER FOR EARLY REGISTRANTS - FEBRUARY 29.

Taunya wants to remind you that that February 29 is the final day for completing your early bird registration payments. We urge you to contact her as soon as possible to finish your early bird registration and keep your special early bird rates 

If you wish to make changes now is also a good time to call Taunya and have her assist you.

If you have a credit card on file, and she has not heard from you by the end of February, she will automatically charge that card. 

Or Call Taunya at Branson Ticket & Travel 800-432-4202
LOOKING TO SHARE A ROOM?  NEED A RIDE? 

We have been receiving requests from Santas and Mrs. Claus who are looking to share a room at DS2016. We have also received a few requests for those were looking to share a ride. 

If this is you, or if you've been thinking of the same thing we have some suggestions for you:
  1. Visit our Facebook page and let others know that you're looking for a roommate or to share a ride.
  2. Visit ClausNet, and again, let others know you're looking for a room or a ride.
  3. Check with your regional or state organization as you may find someone who you can share with.
  4. And finally, go ahead and fill out one of our registration forms let us and Taunya know you're looking to share.

We can't guarantee you will find the exact match. However you need to be pro-active in letting others know your needs. Do all of the above!


Once you have connected with someone you then can work out your all deta ils and set up your details for sharing. Good luck! 

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