International Balloon Association
What's Up? Newsletter
State of the Industry December 2010
Greetings Balloon Industry Members,
Please read updates below from the various committees made up of  IBA members who work together through IBA to better the industry. There are exciting new programs and things happening in every area so read all the way to the end so you won't miss out!

Please know that the IBA provides support for you in your business efforts with research on critical issues, resources for professional development and up-to-date information about the industry as well as discounts and services that directly benefit your bottom line (see Member Benefits under Quick Links).

Please join IBA to support and sustain this important industry organization!

To join a committee please contact Marty@ibaonline.net

Stronger and Better Together,
Marty Fish
Executive Director
I'm going to Disney!
Dishey World Orlando, FL The IBA Annual Conference  held September 21-23, 2010 at the BoardWalk Inn and Resort in Buena Vista, FL, was a great success. This 2 1/2 day event included a Disney Institute program on Leadership Excellence and Quality Service followed by a backstage field trip where attendees toured a "living laboratory" at Disney's Magical Kingdom. The 2010 Conference proved to be one of the best ever with excellent programming in a beautiful location! Click here to read all about it!
 Conference highlights included:

Images of attendees and activities at this dynamic event can be found on the IBA Web site. Many thanks to the sponsors of the 2010 IBA Annual Conference that made this premier knowledge-networking event possible.  
Educational Support
The Education Committee has developed a Feedback Form for producers of education in the balloon industry.This Feedback Form has been made available to producers of industry education to encourage honest, thoughtful and helpful feedback on instructors and curriculum. A Distributor Form is available to provide distributors with feedback regarding sales efforts and a Manufacturer Form is available to provide manufacturers with feedback regarding product focus after an event. Instructors will also benefit from honest feedback as the Education Committee will recommend that evaluations take place in real time. 
Other projects from Education Committee include updates to the definition of balloons on Wikipedia. Poor images of balloons and negative information have now been updated to reflect a more positive image of the balloon industry and committee members are working on gradual changes to the site.  
 
Other educational resources include:

 

IBA Member Only Resources Include:

(Members please login to access these pages) 
  • Instructor Training Resources
  • Instructor Resume Submit Form 
Marketing/Selling More Balloons
The IBA has declared the month of September International Balloon Month.
International Balloon Month logo
For ever more....generations and generations of people around the globe will know September as International Balloon Month as a way to acknowledge the celebration industry and SELL MORE BALLOONS!  
THE IBA MARKETING COMMITTEE developed and promoted this unique campaign which ran for the first time in September of 2010!  Manufacturers offered special pricing to distributors on all Smiley Face products who in turn ran special promotions to their retailer/decorator/twister customers. Radio ads, in-store promotions and balloon delivery bouquet specials were all a result of September is International Balloon Month! Visit the IBA Web site to read all about the 2010 International Balloon Month campaign and look forward to bigger and better promotions of this annual event in 2011!
Digital artwork is available on the IBA Web site that can be personalized for use for signage. Also available is artwork for buttons with the slogan "Put a Smile on Someone's Face - Celebrate International Balloon Month". Graphics are available at www.ibaonline.net

Bring Balloons logo
The Bring Balloons logo is also available on the IBA Website or by contacting Marty@ibaonline.net

Professional Development Resources
Resources for IBA Members Only are available on the IBA Web site. Members must create a User Name and Password to access these informative pages: 
  • Helium News and Information - Read CryoGas Magazine's 2010 Helium Report
  • Industry News/Articles of Interest - Best practices advice and information - 11 new articles posted this year! 
  • Board Meeting Minutes - read actions voted on by the board
  • Committee Meeting Reports - read monthly reports
  • Social Media Marketing Resources - new information posted weekly
  • Newsletter Archives
Members please visit www.ibaonline.net and Login to access these pages.

Join IBA Today
IBA Membership Dues payment is as easy as a click away. Now available on the IBA Web site SECURE ONLINE PAYMENT . No checks to write or forms to fill out and fax. Your emailed receipt will confirm your transaction.
Membership Categories and Dues are as follows:
  • Associate Member(Retail/Decor/Entertainer)-$149 Annual   
  • Distributor Member - $450 Annual 
  • Accessories Manufacturer - $700 Annual
  • Support Services/Helium Supplier - $700 Annual
  • Balloon Manufacturer - $1500 Annual

Prefer to send a check?
Download Membership forms here:
What do you need?
Please contact the IBA at 866-413-7358 or Email Marty@IBAonline.net to tell us how to make the IBA a more valuable resource for you.
 
Sincerely,
Marty Fish
Executive Director
 
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In This Issue
Annual Conference 2010
Educational Support
Marketing Support
Professional Development
Join IBA Today
Join Our Mailing List
Safety
Mandatory Weights
Accountability
Responsibility
Teaching
 
The Smart Balloon Practices Committee would like to remind you to individually weight helium-filled foil balloons! It is increasingly important for every state in the USA to observe these practices as NO ONE is immune to the negative press that results in power outages from errant foil balloons. The Balloon Council works on behalf of the industry to provide legal support when states propose  legislation against balloons but we must do our part and lead by example. Use the SMART Balloon Practices principles every day and take The Balloon Council pledge to be a  Responsible Balloon Retailer.
REMINDER

Members are encouraged to add the IBA logo to their Web site

 
Illustrate your  involvement and reciprocity with a professional  trade group.

2010-2011 IBA Board of Directors 
 
President
Chuck Jacoby
 A2Z Balloon Co.
 
1st Vice President
Ted J Vlamis
Pioneer Balloon Co.

2nd Vice President
Kathi Leiden
Zephyr Solutions

Treasurer
Craig Albrecht
Betallic LLC

Regional Director
Todd Moody
burton + BURTON

Regional Director
Molly Kuhl
Anagram International

Regional Director
Keith Burchette
Hi-Float, Inc.

Associate Regional Director
Amanda Armstrong, CBA
Top Hat Balloon Werks

Past President
Tim Vlamis
Pioneer Balloon Co.

Executive Director
Marty Fish