Miscellaneous Ramblings

• Balloons Around the World
• Upcoming educational events
• Personalized calendar, portfolio improvements
• Featured member portfolio

John Perry is surrounded by fans of balloon art. John was one of over 500 balloon artists to take part in this world wide event.

Balloons Around the World

After many months of planning, Balloons Around the World 2002 was a success. Over 500 artists took part in 203 different locations in 11 countries. Many received newspaper and television coverage for the smiles they produced. Jeff Brown, the founder of the event, is already making plans for next year. Photos are still being uploaded, and can be viewed on the Balloons Around the World web site.

Upcoming educational events

BHQ has always strived to provide balloon artists with quality learning opportunites; it's wonderful to see the many educational events filling the event calendar. The event calendar offers a wide range of opportunities, from informal jam sessions called by local groups to large industry-sponsored balloon conventions.

International Balloon Arts Convention: since the early days of BHQ, we've talked up IBAC as *the* international convention to attend. We still stand by that opinion. No other convention in the world draws as diverse an audience or pool of instructors. Historically, IBAC's strength has been it's educational opportunities for balloon decorators. More recently, the event organizers have worked to include a full slate of activities in the realm of balloon entertaining. This year, IBAC will offer their first entertainer stage competition. IBAC is traditionally offered in March in Illinois.

All Star Revue: in recent years we've also seen growth for the All Star Revue convention for balloon decorators. This event traditionally draws artists primarily from the eastern US. However, people who have traveled from greater distances have reported favorablly on the variety of class offerings. Event organizers for ASR have also expanded the offerings for balloon entertainers. ASR 2002 is just around the corner; it occurs next month in New Jersey.

Summer Balloon Camp: several balloon distributors based in the western states have decided to try their hand next year at holding a decorators convention similar in style to ASR. Summer Balloon Camp will be held in Las Vegas next August. We're still waiting for more details, but from what we're hearing so far, this convention might be the best value in the balloon industry.

T&JAM and EuroJam: The largest convention to specifically cater to the entertainer side of the balloon industry is T&Jam, in February. This event draws a large crowd from the United States, as well as a solid international contingent. For European balloon entertainers, the EuroJam in Melle, Germany later this month is a great opportunity to get together and trade ideas.

With the number of events happening in the balloon world, there's no reason not to take part in something. It might be a small group of decorators and entertainers in your area, a regional convention like Summer Balloon Camp, All Star Revue, and EuroJam, or a major international convention like T&Jam or IBAC. There's a ton of stuff out there to learn.

Personalized business calendars

Many of you have been asking for ways of keeping your clients up to date on where you'll be creating balloon art, or on which dates they should consider sending balloons to friends and relatives. We now have an answer. BHQ members can now create personal calendars as part of their portfolios. As soon as you upload events, the calendar is activated. Any customer visiting your portfolio will see a link to your business calendar.

To make changes or additions to your calendar, visit the member services page and view your portfolio.

Kenneth Chong and Lai-Kin Long

This month's featured artist portfolio

Kenneth Chong and Lai-Kin Long of Balloon Images in Malaysia have included some wonderful pictures of classic decor in their collection of photos from kids parties and corporate events.

Visit the portfolio of Kenneth Chong and Lai-Kin Long.