Embedded Files
Santa Ben has been featured across television, print, and digital media—sharing the heart behind his work and the role Santa plays in creating lasting memories for families and communities.
Each feature highlights more than seasonal moments—it reflects the preparation, presence, and care that define every Santa and You visit.
Over the years, Santa Ben has been invited to share the magic of Christmas across a variety of media outlets and public platforms—each reflecting the professionalism, preparation, and care behind every visit.
Master Claus Academy Featured on NBC4i
03-2025
WCMH NBC4i Columbus
Santa Ben and the Master Claus Academy were featured on NBC4i, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the training and preparation that define today’s professional Santa.
The segment highlighted how Santas from across the country come together to refine their craft—focusing on storytelling, presence, and the responsibility that comes with representing the spirit of Christmas.
More than a seasonal role, this work reflects a commitment to authenticity, professionalism, and continuous growth—ensuring each visit remains personal, meaningful, and true to the moment.
Featured on The 12 O’Clock Show with Mayor Joe
12-2024
City of Reynoldsburg – Office of the Mayor
Santa Ben returned to Mayor Joe Begeny’s “12 O’Clock Show,” continuing a cherished Reynoldsburg tradition of sharing the spirit of Christmas with the local community.
During the appearance, Santa brought his signature blend of warmth, storytelling, and humor—answering festive questions while offering a glimpse into the magic and meaning behind life at the North Pole.
These annual appearances reflect a continued partnership with the Reynoldsburg community and a commitment to representing Santa with authenticity, presence, and care.
Spreading Holiday Cheer at The James Cancer Hospital
12-2024
WCMH NBC4i Columbus
Santa Ben was featured on NBC4i during a special visit to The James Cancer Hospital at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, where Santas and volunteers spent time with patients during the holiday season.
Moving room to room, these visits created quiet, meaningful moments—offering encouragement, connection, and a sense of normalcy for patients navigating difficult journeys. Many of the volunteers shared personal connections to cancer, bringing a depth of understanding to each interaction.
While not every patient was able to receive a visit, the moments that did occur left a lasting impact—reflecting the true spirit of the season and the role Santa can play far beyond celebration.
Awarded Master of Santa Claus Degree
10-2024
International University of Santa Claus – School 4 Santas
Santa Ben was awarded the Master of Santa Claus degree after completing advanced study in SantaClausology—an in-depth program focused on the art, responsibility, and professionalism of portraying Santa.
The training emphasizes more than performance. It includes storytelling, historical understanding, audience connection, and the ability to create meaningful, memorable experiences for families in a variety of settings.
This recognition reflects a continued commitment to preparation and growth—ensuring that each visit is not only engaging, but thoughtful, authentic, and grounded in the true spirit of the role.
Featured in The Cleveland Plain Dealer
12-2023
The Cleveland Plain Dealer
Santa Ben was featured in The Cleveland Plain Dealer in a story exploring what it truly means to portray Santa Claus in today’s world—beyond the suit, the setting, and the season.
The article highlights the role Santa plays in creating meaningful, lasting moments for families, with a focus on storytelling, connection, and the responsibility of maintaining the magic for children and parents alike.
For Santa Ben, that purpose is simple: to create an experience that feels real, personal, and unforgettable—one that allows families to pause, connect, and hold onto a moment that will stay with them for years to come.
Featured on The 12 O’Clock Show with Mayor Joe
12-2023
City of Reynoldsburg – Office of the Mayor
Santa Ben joined Mayor Joe Begeny on the “12 O’Clock Show,” sharing the spirit of the season with the Reynoldsburg community during the holiday period.
The appearance offered a lighthearted and engaging conversation, blending storytelling, humor, and reflections on the traditions that make Christmas meaningful for families.
This visit marked the continuation of a growing local tradition—one rooted in community connection and the shared experience of the season.
Featured in Canvas Rebel Magazine
11-2023
Canvas Rebel Magazine
Santa Ben was featured in Canvas Rebel Magazine in a long-form interview exploring his journey into becoming a professional Santa and the philosophy behind his work.
The conversation reflects a path rooted in personal experience, continuous learning, and a deep commitment to authenticity—shaped by both formal training and a broader community of Santa performers dedicated to refining the craft.
At its core, the story centers on a simple idea: creating moments that feel real. Through storytelling, connection, and presence, Santa Ben’s work is designed to bring families into the experience in a way that feels natural, meaningful, and lasting.
Featured in Voyage Ohio Magazine
05-2023
Voyage Ohio Magazine
Santa Ben was featured in Voyage Ohio Magazine in a story exploring the journey behind Santa and You and the path that led him to become a professional Santa.
The feature reflects a deeply personal beginning—rooted in a moment with his family that sparked a desire to preserve the magic of Christmas. What began as a single experience quickly grew into a commitment to creating meaningful, lasting moments for other families.
From that foundation, the work evolved through training, mentorship, and continued learning—shaping an approach centered on authenticity, storytelling, and connection. Today, each visit reflects that same purpose: to create something real, personal, and unforgettable for the families who invite Santa into their home.
Featured on The Tuesday Night LIVE Show
04-2023
The Tuesday Night LIVE Show (Facebook & YouTube)
Santa Ben was featured on The Tuesday Night LIVE Show in a conversation focused on his early journey as a professional Santa and his growing involvement within the Santa performer community.
The discussion highlighted his commitment to ongoing training, participation in Santa schools and gatherings, and his role in helping build and support the Ohio Santas group—a network dedicated to elevating the craft and supporting fellow performers.
Even in the early stages of his career, the focus remained consistent: creating meaningful moments for families while contributing to a broader community built on shared standards, learning, and a commitment to doing the role well.
Awarded Bachelor of Santa Claus Degree
03-2023
International University of Santa Claus – School 4 Santas
Santa Ben earned his Bachelor of Santa Claus degree after completing professional training through the International University of Santa Claus’s School 4 Santas program.
The program focused on the foundational elements of portraying Santa with care and professionalism—covering topics such as child interaction, safety, storytelling, appearance, and the responsibilities that come with representing the role in both private and public settings.
This early training marked a key step in a continued commitment to learning and growth—establishing the standards that would shape every visit moving forward.
Awarded Master of Santa Claus Degree
10-2024
International University of Santa Claus – School 4 Santas
Santa Ben was awarded the Master of Santa Claus degree after completing advanced study in SantaClausology—an in-depth program focused on the art, responsibility, and professionalism of portraying Santa.
The training emphasizes more than performance. It includes storytelling, historical understanding, audience connection, and the ability to create meaningful, memorable experiences for families in a variety of settings.
This recognition reflects a continued commitment to preparation and growth—ensuring that each visit is not only engaging, but thoughtful, authentic, and grounded in the true spirit of the role.
Featured on NBC4i: Santa Training in Pickerington
03-2023
WCMH NBC4i Columbus
Santa Ben was featured on NBC4i during coverage of a professional Santa training program in Pickerington, offering a look into the preparation and dedication behind the role.
The segment highlighted the structure of the training—covering storytelling, interaction with children, appearance, and the responsibility of representing Santa with care and authenticity. It also emphasized the importance of continued learning within the Santa community.
For Santa Ben, the experience reinforced a simple but guiding principle: that portraying Santa begins with honesty, presence, and a genuine desire to connect—qualities that shape every visit moving forward.
Featured on The 12 O’Clock Show with Mayor Joe
12-2022
City of Reynoldsburg – Office of the Mayor
Santa Ben made an early appearance on Mayor Joe Begeny’s “12 O’Clock Show,” sharing the spirit of the season with the Reynoldsburg community.
The visit featured a lighthearted conversation centered on holiday traditions, storytelling, and the familiar elements that make Christmas meaningful for families and children.
This appearance marked the beginning of a continued connection with the Reynoldsburg community—one that would grow into an ongoing seasonal tradition in the years that followed.
Santa Lessons: Inside the Craft of Santa Claus
12-2022
Daytona Beach News-Journal (USA Today Network)
Santa Ben was featured in a national holiday piece exploring the tradition and training behind the role of Santa Claus, highlighted through the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland, Michigan.
The article offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Santas from across the country—and around the world—gather to study the history, responsibility, and heart of the role. It reflects the deeper commitment to authenticity, storytelling, and meaningful connection that defines the Santa and You experience.
This feature highlights the importance of preparation and purpose in portraying Santa—not simply as a character, but as a presence rooted in tradition and care.
Santa Graduates from the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School
10-2022
Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School – Official Release
Santa Ben completed formal training at the , the oldest continuously operating Santa school in the world, established in 1937.
The immersive program brings together Santas from across the United States and around the globe for intensive instruction in the history, tradition, and responsibility of portraying Santa Claus. Through a rigorous multi-day curriculum, performers develop skills in storytelling, guest interaction, presentation, and maintaining the authenticity of the role.
Graduating as part of the 2022 class, Santa Ben’s training at Charles W. Howard marked a foundational step in his professional journey—shaping the intentional, thoughtful, and experience-driven approach that defines every Santa and You visit today.
Santa Ben Joins Bluegrass Santas at Inaugural Gathering
09-2022
Bluegrass Santas – General Butler State Park, Kentucky
Santa Ben joined fellow Santa performers and Mrs. Clauses from across the region at the inaugural Bluegrass Santas Gathering held at General Butler State Park in Kentucky.
This early gathering brought together members of the Claus community for a weekend of fellowship, shared learning, and collaboration—highlighting the importance of connection and continued growth within the profession.
Participation in events like this reflects Santa Ben’s commitment to being part of a broader network of Santas dedicated to professionalism, tradition, and the meaningful role Santa plays in the lives of families and communities.
Santa Ben Trains in Improvisation and Character Work
08-2022
Improv Cincinnati – Bluegrass Santas Workshop
Santa Ben participated in an intensive improvisation and character training workshop led by Improv Cincinnati, designed specifically for Santa performers and hosted by the Bluegrass Santas.
The training focused on active listening, presence, and in-the-moment interaction—core skills that allow Santa to respond naturally, build trust, and create meaningful, unscripted moments with children and families.
This experience helped shape Santa Ben’s approach to each visit: not as a performance to deliver, but as a moment to enter fully—guided by the child, the family, and the energy of the room.
Santa Ben Attends the Red Suit Conclave
08-2022
Michigan Association of Professional Santas (M.A.P.S.)
Santa Ben participated in the Michigan Association of Professional Santas (M.A.P.S.) Red Suit Conclave in Saginaw, Michigan—an annual gathering of Santa performers, Mrs. Clauses, and holiday professionals from across the country.
The event focuses on continuing education, professional development, and collaboration within the Claus community. Through workshops, seminars, and peer-to-peer exchange, attendees refine their skills in guest interaction, presentation, and the evolving expectations of modern Santa experiences.
This early involvement in national Santa gatherings reflects Santa Ben’s ongoing commitment to learning, growth, and connection within the professional Claus community—values that continue to shape the care, intention, and authenticity behind every Santa and You visit.
Santa Ben Completes Santa and the Business of Being Santa School
03-2022
Santa and the Business of Being Santa – Gordon Bailey
Santa Ben completed formal training through the Santa and the Business of Being Santa School, led by Hall of Fame Santa Gordon Bailey and hosted by the Ohio Santas Fellowship Group.
The program introduced the foundational elements of professional Santa work—covering topics such as guest interaction, improvisation, working with families of all needs, and the operational side of delivering a thoughtful and well-prepared experience.
This training marked the beginning of a deliberate approach to portraying Santa—one rooted in preparation, care, and a commitment to creating meaningful moments from the very start.
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