Mall of America launches virtual holiday experience with Santa and his elves from The Candy Cane Institute: a one-of-a-kind holiday research lab at the North Pole
By News Release | December 1, 2020
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — Mall of America in partnership with Hotopp Associates has launched a new, one-of-a-kind online holiday experience with Santa and his elves called The Candy Cane Institute. This new virtual guided and interactive experience for kids of all ages – and their families – will begin taking online reservations tomorrow, Dec. 1.
The Candy Cane Institute (CCI) was founded in 1972 and for the first time ever, with the help of Mall of America, is allowing guests to virtually tour its facilities (located in the North Pole) with Santa and his elves. Virtual guests will help Santa and his elves continue the mission of the CCI, which is to find the true meaning of the holiday season and use those findings to make each year merrier than the last.
Inspired by the onset of the information age, the often-misguided elf analysts of the CCI believe the answers to finding more joy can be found by collecting data and using in-depth research. With careful study, the data can help create the perfect holiday – identifying everything from the very best holiday sweater design to the optimal candy cane shape and size.
“The holiday season needs more magic than ever this year, which is why we were thrilled that the Candy Cane Institute chose Mall of America to help bring this virtual experience to our guests all over the world,” said Jill Renslow, Executive Vice President of Mall of America. “At Mall of America, we’ve always been guided by data-driven information to create a better guest experience, so we appreciate the efforts of the Candy Cane Institute and look forward to welcoming families to this new online holiday experience.”
But this year, for the first time ever, the research elves and Santa need more help and are inviting guests of all ages to virtually tour the CCI facilities and aid in further research. The goal is that the successful research from this virtual CCI experience will help bring the Candy Cane Institute live to Mall of America next year for guests to visit its first ever field market research set up.
“We are thrilled to work with Mall of America to launch the first-ever Candy Cane Institute virtual holiday experience,” says Gary Wichansky, CEO/head creative at Hotopp. “As true believers in the intersection of the retail and entertainment space, Mall of America has been the perfect partner to bring something fun, unique and safe for families virtually this holiday season.”
The Candy Cane Institute virtual experience is presented by Undeniably Dairy brought to you by Midwest Dairy– because nothing says Christmas more than cookies and a glass of refreshing milk! Data confirms this is a great holiday tradition.
Reservations are required for a virtual visit to The Candy Cane Institute. The cost for the 10-minute virtual holiday experience is $20. Time slots are limited. Guests are encouraged to make their reservations as early as possible.
