World Balloon Convention 2012- Festival of Balloons

As the convention draws to an end, the Festival of Balloons begins! All the competition pieces, event decor and class designs were put on display for the day in one of the halls of the Sheraton hotel. The public were invited to come by and be amazed by all that we had created over the week.

Kids and adults loving the Festival!

Mala & Jean having a blast in the plane.

There were plenty of interactive balloon arrangements, like our huge hot air balloon, planes, cars and hats!

Visitors getting a taste of marriage... with balloons!

There were demonstrations and shows by magicians, twisters and entertainers on the stage.

Our friend Guy Sheffer from Israel, showing off his
balancing & twisting skills!

The Qualatex mascot, Mr Q even made an appearance!  

But all good things must come to an end and I then headed back to the airport for the long flight back to Sydney. I think the lack of sleep over the week had finally caught up with me and I actually managed to sleep on the plane.

Now comes the difficult task of sorting through all my notes and photos from the convention and putting them to good use. I will be practicing everything I learnt gradually over the next 2 years and designing lots of exciting new arrangements and decor. Check back regularly because I will be posting photos of anything 'WBC inspired' as I go. I hope you like them! Regards, Claire Geldard CBA xoxo

World Balloon Convention 2012- Grand Gala Night

The 2012 World Balloon Convention had almost come to an end. Tonight everyone got out of their practical work clothes & dressed to impress in tuxedos and ball gowns. The winners for the competitions were announced, the Aussies large sculpture received a bronze level achievement. Individual Aussies entered various other competitions, such as table centrepiece, and we're so proud of their achievements!

Some of the stunning room decor in the ballroom.

My place setting and program for the Grand Gala.

The Aussies looking fabulous infront of the Large Sculpture.

Robbie Furman and his award.

The next World Balloon Convention was announced.... Denver, Colorado in 2014!

We'll be working really hard for the next 2 years saving our pennies with the aim to make it to our 3rd consecutive World Balloon Convention!

A picture speaks a thousand words!



Robbie Furman was awarded the Golden Light Award, in honour of Linda Bruce. None of us could think of a more deserving person. I spent some time working with Robbie on a hot air balloon for the Festival of Balloons & attended some of his classes. He is definitely one of the most inspirational and fun loving people in the industry. 

The hot air balloon I helped with, as instructed
by the amazing Robbie Furman.

World Balloon Convention 2012- Circus Themed Party

On Thursday night we had 'The Very Best Balloon Show On Earth'. The whole event was spectacular. The balloon decor for the room was designed by Tope Abulude from the UK, and what an amazing job he did! At the doorway there was massive clown arches. Upon entry garlands stretched from various sides of the room, resembling a circus marquee, meeting in the middle with a huge, LED lit clown face. There were clown centrepieces on each table, monkies, tigers and exploding balloons. Let's not forget the stage backdrop frame spelling out 'Circus' in brightly coloured balloons. 

Clown arches leading to the doorway. If this is just the entry, then you definitely want to go inside!

The stage backdrop and the dance floor. Animals, clowns & ring leaders everywhere!

Garland with clown face in the centre.

And it doesn't stop at the balloon decorations. The food was exactly the sort you'd find at a carnival or circus. Including popcorn, corn dogs, cotton candy, nachos, corn etc. There was a photo booth with, yes you guessed it, balloon backdrops! And what party is complete without a conga line! This is definitely one of the highlights of the convention for me, it's only ashame that the night had to end!

Some of the best dressed of the night!

Beth from Balloonique Designs & myself striking a pose in the photo booth.

World Balloon Convention 2012- Official Welcoming

The team led by Azusa Ieizumi from Japan, constructed the signature sculpture which was in the entrance to the grand ballroom & competition area. We were watching their progress as we completed our large sculpture for the competition & their techniques & ideas are amazing.

The Internation Reception was held in the Welcome Centre, where we all gathered to introduce ourselves & induldge in some snacks & beverages. Of course, there was some more Aussie chanting & we also brought along some Aussie treats like Minties, Tim Tams & Vegemite for everyone to taste. We were quickly becoming a popular bunch of people!

I think a few people who had snuck off for a quick nap are missing from this photo, but you get the idea. There's me in the front left next to the lovely Lis & Cheryle, both from Melbourne.

Next stop is the Welcome Festivities. This was extremely fun for an event which only lasted one hour. As we entered the room, instructors & staff lined each side of the walkway & waved 260Q balloons at us (these are the long twisting balloons). One of the huge names in balloon twisting & weaving, Robbie Furman, was our MC. He taught us to make a simple heart from the 260Qs we were given & we all wandered off to give it to someone we hadn't met before. A few short speeches by some of the organisers about the events that are planned for the rest of the week & Ted & Betty Vlamis, the big bosses of Qualatex. Then the first ever appearance by Mr Q, the Qualatex mascot! Now we're all motivated & excited for classes & lots of fun!

 
<><>

 

Walking into the Welcome Festivities with all the 260Q balloons being waved around, so much fun!



Mr Q & Robbie Furman our MC.

World Balloon Convention 2012- Large Sculpture Competition

Another early start with the large sculpture competition kicking off at 9am. The Aussies had entered & had until 12 noon the following day to complete it (that's around 27 hours! Believe me, all the entrants used all the time they were permitted) I'll let the pictures tell the story...



About half way through the competition, still united in our green shirts & sporadic Aussie chanting.

Around 4am, holding up the sunset backdrop to check it all fits in perfectly.

A close up of the sculpture. So many unique techniques involved, I loved how varied it was!

The finished product! What an huge accomplishment! Our first international competition piece as an Australian team. We scored a bronze achievement & most importantly learnt so much from each other about planning, design & various techniques.

Here are some of the other large sculpture entries from various countries, including Russia, Japan & Italy. Some really impressive work, the only word I could say was WOW! Don't forget, there are plenty more photos on the Facebook page for your browsing pleasure!



World Balloon Convention 2012- Hotel Decor Project

We were up bright & early today with plenty to do. The Australian delegates had volunteered to do the decorating for the hotel lobby, welcome room entrance, directional signs & class rooms. By midnight we had just about finished everything & were impressed with the end results.

Me standing in front of the wall we made in the hotel lobby. This is Mr Q, the Qualatex mascot.

Hanging above the wall are the paint pots. Also made by the Aussies!

The paint pots with colours splashing out. These were for each of the classrooms.

Mr Q's for the directional signs throughout the hotel.

We had fantastic green shirts made up so everyone could recognise us as the Aussies. And if that didn't work, we were constantly chanting Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi! I think by the end of the week everyone had realised that there were in fact quite a few balloonies from a land down under.  

Here we are fixing the paint pots before they are lifted & rigged to the ceiling. Note the green shirts!

World Balloon Convention 2012

On 18/3/12, I (Claire Geldard, CBA from The Party's Here) left Sydney with some fellow Aussie balloon decorators & twisters & headed for Dallas, Texas in USA. The 15 hour direct flight with Qantas was exhausting but once we got into the taxi to the hotel, the driver lifted our energy levels with some Michael Jackson tunes! We met up with the rest of the Aussies that had already arrived & had a huge dinner at T.G.I Fridays & an early night in preparation for the hectic week to come. Check out The Party's Here facebook page for tonnes more photos from the Convention.

The Aussie balloonies entertaining everyone at Sydney Airport. That's me on the far right.

What's Your Name Again?



Megaloon letters to decorate behind the main table.

Need something to decorate a stage, main table or large blank wall? You can't go past some megaloon letter balloons! Celebrate the occasion with balloons that spell out your name.
Very popular for Christenings & Naming Days, but also for the Birthday boy or girl, the Retiree, the Graduate or even the happy couple.

 

Megaloon Letters used as initials for an Engagement Party. 

 

Celebrate a milestone birthday or anniversary with megaloon numbers. What a fantastic photo opportunity for your scrapbook or photo album! Available in a range of colours to match your theme, from silver & gold, to pink, blue, purple & red. Use on their own to decorate a main table; add to a bouquet for a table centrepiece; or add to a column or arch for stage/entrance/floor decorations. Megaloons can also be air filled & hung from the ceiling, which is particularly useful for smaller venues. And just when you thought megaloons couldn't get any better, they can also be re-filled and used over and over!



Megaloon Bouquets

    

Megaloon Columns



Valentine's Day- Tuesday 14th February

Valentine's Day is fast approaching & balloons are a perfect way to celebrate! Whether it be as a decoration for your table at a restaurant, to promote a product in your business, to surprise your loved one at their workplace or home, and even for a very special proposal... balloons say it all.

Here are some photos of balloon decorations we've done in the past, but stay tuned as we're always creating new & exciting designs to suit every taste, recipient & occasion.

Order your Valentine's Day balloon decorations asap to avoid disappointment,

both pick up and delivery options available. 

Arches are so versatile & long lasting.
Use to frame an entrance, main table or even reception desk

 

 

Imagine proposing underneath a beautiful balloon heart sculpture
this Valentine's Day!

Don't want to go overboard but still want to send some love?
Balloon bouquets can be customised to suit your recipient & their taste

                            

Christmas at Centro Nepean

To celebrate Santas arrival at Centro Nepean in Penrith, we created 10 large Christmas tree balloon sculptures that were placed throughout the centre. Shoppers were very impressed, commenting that they didn't realise that you could do so much with a simple medium like balloons (and of course quite a few joked about getting a pin, to which we replied "noooo!") The busy shopping centre was the perfect place to increase awareness about the endless possibilities of balloon decorating for any occasion, not just Christmas.

Next time you host a function, why not order something a little different that we're sure your friends have never seen before! Browse the photos on our website and facebook page for some inspiration & let us do the rest.