Greetings Balloon Industry Members,
The IBA provides support for you in your business efforts with research on critical issues, professional development and up to date information about the industry. Please read on to learn more about the issues that are affecting our industry today and where to go for answers to your business needs.
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Proposal to Ban Helium-Filled Metallic Balloons in California Moves to Assembly Senate Bill 1499 unfortunately passed out of the Senate on May 29, 2008, by a narrow margin and now moves to the California Assembly. Early efforts by California balloon industry members helped to slow the measure and provided some hope that the bill would be defeated in the Senate however initial predictions that the bill would end up in the Assembly have played out. Lobbyist Barry Broad, for the The Balloon Council, anticipates that the Rules Committee will send the bill to the Public Safety Committee for hearings. Of the seven member committee (including one vacant seat), the Public Safety Committee is thought to be the best place to defeat SB1499. Voting will take place before the July recess as early as June 17, and no later than June 24, 2008.
Efforts to fight the bill on the local level as well as the national level are described below. Additional information on Action Items can be found on Save the balloons.com, a Web site dedicated to helping California balloon industry members take action.
ACTIONS FOR ALL :
- Participate in the John & Ken Show Balloon Rally, Wednesday, June 11th, 3:00 PM, Memorial Park, 85 E Holly St., Pasadena, CA. Metallic balloons filled with air or nitrogen will be available for giveaway to the public to show just how rediculous the proposal to eliminate helium-filled balloons is. John & Ken, popular local radio show hosts, will conduct interviews with the children and ask them how well they like the fun and festive balloons dragging around behind them.
- Submit Petitions - Customers, friends, and neighbors can sign a petition to oppose SB1499. Print the attached petition and send to the address at the bottom this week!
CALIFORNIANS CAN TAKE FURTHER ACTION:
NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT! PHONE CALLS TO ASSEMBLY MEMBERS AND PETITIONS NEED TO HAPPEN THIS WEEK.
DEADLINE: JUNE 17 OR 24, 2008 - TO SAVE THE BALLOONS!
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Professional Development Resources
Curriculum Survey - Fill out a form to describe a class that you need to further your professional education.
New Products - A guide to new and innovative balloon industry products. |
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Join IBA Today
IBA Membership Dues payment is as easy as a click away. SECURE ONLINE PAYMENT with a credit card is now available. Easy, secure, and no check to write or form to fill out and fax. Your emailed receipt will confirm your membership payment.
Membership Categories and Dues are as follows:
- Associate Member(Retail/Decor/Entertainer)-$149 Annual
- Distributor Member - $450 Annual
- Accessories Manufacturer - $700 Annual
- Balloon Manufacturer - $1500 Annual
Annual membership runs from Jan 1st - Dec 31st
Application Forms are also available:
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What do you need? Please contact Marty Fish at 866-413-7358 or Email Marty@IBAonline.net to tell us how to make the IBA a more valuable tool for you.
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Sincerely,
Marty Fish - IBA Executive Director
International Balloon Association
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"Winning the War of WOW!"
IBA's Annual Business Conference scheduled for September 18-20, 2008, at the Embassy Suites Minneapolis - Airport in Bloomington, MN, promises to be a dynamic event to help grow your business whether you are a Manufacturer, Distributor or Associate Member. A jam packed schedule, a host hotel less than a mile from Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport, not one but TWO motivational speakers, all at a sensational price makes this a "must attend" event on your calendar.
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Where the Winners Meet: Why Happier, More Successful People Gravitate Toward Associations
A January 2008 report to the William E. Smith Institute for Association Research reveals that on average, association members are more successful than non-members. Using new national survey data, associations are found to provide a critical venue for successful people in a profession or industry to access resources, identify themselves, network with their peers, and form mutually beneficial communities. The data show that associations are where the winners meet.
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Your Support is Needed
The IBA is organized to educate, inform and serve as a resource for its members.
As challenges in this industry come and go, support for the IBA is needed to keep the voice for the industry alive and well.
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REMINDER
Members are encouraged to add the IBA logo to their Web site
Illustrate your involvement and reciprocity with a professional trade group.
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