Greetings Balloon Industry Members,
In this newsletter you will find updates on the activities of the IBA. Please read on to learn about the plans to promote the Marketing campaign "September is International Balloon Month", the new 2011 Distributor Discount Program as well as plans for Annual Conference to be held September 19-21, 2011, in Detroit, MI. 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.
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Stronger and Better Together, Marty Fish Executive Director |
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Distributor Discount Program
 | | Distributor Discount Program for Retailers/Decorators/Entertainers |
Announcing the new 2011 discount program for IBA Associate members made available by these participating distributors:
Special discounts and/or special pricing varies according to distributor and Associate members reap the rewards with every order all year long! Click here to visit the Distributor Discount Program page on the IBA Web site to learn each distributor's special deal and contact person. Associate Member verification can be found on the Current Member Directory. (click on CATEGORY drop down box-select Associate-click Search) Not a member? Join now! |
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Marketing/Selling More Balloons
The IBA has declared the month of September International Balloon Month.
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 September is International Balloon Month to create better public awareness of balloons and to sell more balloons in the month of September! Plans to market this month long event using the universally recognized Smiley Face balloon as the icon have already begun. Look for International Balloon Month to be advertised in industry publications, manufacturer and distributor seasonal catalogs, on international association web sites, the three network morning shows in NYC, and of course with balloon manufacturers, distributors, retailers, decorators and entertainers across the globe. A monthly planner to promote IBM has also been developed. Balloon manufacturers kicked off the campaign efforts by creating programs around their Smiley Face products which will be specially priced to retailers in the coming months. Distributors have all received the programs and will now promote the campaign to their customers. Please click here to view the timelines and calendar for Manufacturers, Distributors, and Retailers to be successful in promoting this world-wide event to raise public awareness of balloons. And stay tuned for updates as the calendar year progresses toward the month of September!
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
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Annual Conference 2011
Save the date: September 19-21, 2011, when IBA will hold its Annual Conference at the newly remodeled Greektown Casino- Hotel in the come-back city, Detroit! A 4-Star hotel located in the heart of a bustling entertainment district close to sports arenas, restaurants and shopping, the Greektown Casino-Hotel will be a perfect place to work and play in one convenient location.
Research on topic and speaker for the Conference is progressing and an agenda will be announced by the planning committee soon. Favorite networking events such as the Manufacturers' Showcase, Group Meals and Cocktail Reception will be included as well as the Annual Business Meeting and election of officers. SAVE THE DATE for this annual IBA business building and networking event!
 | | Greektown Casino-Hotel |
September 19-21, 2011 |
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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
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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
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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
- International Member - $50 Annual
Prefer to send a check? Download Membership forms here: |
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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
Join IBA's Facebook Group
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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 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. |
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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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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
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