Discover Santa was held July 6 thru 9, in Branson, Missouri. Over 300 Santas, plus wives and other holiday professionals attended. In all over 520 registered. We had a great parade, lots of workshops and almost 100 media attending, including all three TV networks, USA Today and Time Magazine.
It was a major undertaking and something that I personally invested quite a bit in, to produce. Between my personal funds, the registration funds from the Santas, a team of wonderful volunteer Santas and Mrs. Claus, and the fantastic talent fo the beautiful Taunya Lay and the team at Branson Ticket and Travel, we pulled it off.
According to the folks in Branson, the Convention Bureau, and many of those business people who worked with Discover Santa, the convention received so much media coverage that the Convention Bureau felt they needed to capitalize on what had happened.
A few weeks later, I and a dozen other Santas, plus wives, returned to Branson, as the city's guests. We were brought there to film a special commercial, and create some unique advertising to tell the world that Branson is so special, that even Santa and Mrs. Claus vacation here.
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Santas performing with Jim Stafford |
Jim Stafford, a popular and well-known Branson performer (remember the Smother Brothers show on CBS) was commissioned to write a theme song and other musicians and singers from various Branson Shows joined together to record the Song that would be the title of the Advertising Campaign,
"Even Santa Vacations In Branson!"
For
three days, the Santas visited different shows in Branson and actually appeared on stage with the many artists. We also rode on roller coasters, took a ride on the "Ducks", went sailing, played golf and miniature golf, rode go-karts and totally enjoyed ourselves. We got to do more in Branson that week, than we did during our first convention.
Additionally I filmed some special spots, flying from cables, bungee jumping, jet skiing, water skiing
and actually dancing in a few local shows. The jet ski photo ended up becoming one of over twenty giant billboards that would appear on Missouri highways for the next two years!
Following the convention, and with the funds that were left over, efforts began to truly incorporate the santa association. By then I had a mailing list of over 1,200 Santas and there were about twenty regional Santa clubs and quite a few internet circles, or 'wreaths' where Santas could network.
The incorporation of the association was, unfortunatly, not to be and it collapsed in less than a year. But the wonderful thing that came out of that, was the strengthening of our community and the firm establishment of the many local and regional groups.
Also, out-of-the-ashes, so to speak, these new groups got stonger, bonded together in an informal network and many went on to incorporate on their own and have grown substantially.
Other conventions and large meetings were created and florished. Gatlinburg, Tennessee; Tampa, Florida, and Paradise, Pennsylvania, to name a few. And the many regional groups established their own calendars of events and meetings.
And added to that, more internet sites appeared and scores of "Facebook" groups were established. Plus more independent Santas created their own web sites. And news schools opened up, too. The Santa community was totally connected!
And to top all of this, Michael Riley's,
"Claus Net" grew and firmly established itself as the major network for all Santas and Mrs. Claus, with thousands of members.
I continued teaching my school, and I tried to attend as many regional events as I could afford or have the time to do. And I continued my career in working in advertising and commercials. Oreo, Target, Sears, even traveling to Europe to fill a series of commercials What fun!
Plus, I continued my position as the Santa for the Hollywood Christmas Parade. I thank my friend Bill Lomas and producer Johnny Grant for giving me the job. I have been in that Sleigh and been seen by millions for over twelve years.
And that
position introduced me to General H.P. "Pete" Osman, of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, the official charity of the Hollywood Chaistmas Parade.
I offered my services to the Marines, telling them whatever they need, just call me.
And they took me up on my offer. Whenever and where ever they need me, I grab my suit and go.
I know it is the same with many other Santas around the U.S. Who can refuse the men and women in those dress blues!
I
have gone on airlifts with the Marine crew of the Blue Angels. Flyng aboard "Fat Albert" delivering t
oys for the Children affected by Hurricane Sandy.
And for the past few years I have joined with General Osman as we rang the bell at the New York Stock Exchange
In the ten years since the first convention I have surpassed handing out diplomas to over 3,200 Santas a nd Mrs. Claus.
We have gone on ten "Santa Cruises,' to the Caribbean, Alaska and Europe, even attending Bakken's famed, "World Congress of Santa Claus," in Copenhagen, Denmark.
And during the past ten years I would get calls or letters from cities around the U.S. asking me if I wanted to bring a convention to their city. And even my friends in Branson, would occassionally ask, "Why don't we do it again!"
I did host a few of my regional schools in Branson, and two years ago I started thinking of the idea of bringing 'Discover Santa" back to Branson. I met with Taunya Lay and we started working on a date and what we thought we could accomplish. I even announced it at a school in Branson and one of the Santas, Greg Gilpin created our conventin logos two days later. It just had to be!
Believe me, If I did not have Branson Ticket and Travel, and Taunya, I don't think I could have moved forward on this idea . . . A 10th Anniversary Convention.
NEXT WEEK - What we will, and what we hope, to accomplish this year at Discover Santa 2016!
