Subject: Re: Conventions-A worthwhile investment Date: Wed, 18 Jun 2003 20:01:30 -0700 (PDT) From: Two really great conventions are coming up soon and I would like to put my 2 cents in to all the newbies out there. FlowersIncBalloons-July 30 Aug 2 and Balloons & Parties Magazines-Sept 20. When I started out 22 years ago I went to every Flowers-Balloonaversity Open House they had the first 10 years I was in business. Maxine and Bob bring in all the top names (like IBAC), it is very well organized (not a detail left to chance); and the price you pay for all you get is wonderful (meals, T-shirt, etc. included!). The biggest value to me was all the opportunity to do hands-on work. You just don't get this kind of stuff on a tape! I learned new techniques to "do it better" from my peers that i would have never thought of myself and untimately saved me lots of time in the following years. If you have been in business only a few years I urge you to go to conventions as a type of "graduate work". If you cannot justify the money think of it this way. In order to sell your balloon decor you have to show your customers a picture of it (in most cases) Thus, if you can show it - you can sell it. If you were to "buy" a bunch of portfolio pictures that are floating out there they go for $10+ each but you don't always know how to recreate them. When you go to these conventions you bring back rolls and rolls of pictures! I assisted Linda Bruce with a class she was teaching at the IBAC in Las Vegas many years ago. She taught the class a centerpiece using aluminum tubing. I came home and adapted that centerpiece and 4 years later i can safely say i have sold over 400 of them as Prom, Homecoming and Wedding centerpieces. Do you think that 2 hour class paid for itself. Darn Right! I still go to conventions after 22 years and when i come home with just one idea or one shortcut to make my job go easier, I feel the trip and $ was worth it!!! Mark Zettler's get-together from Balloons and Parties Magazine will be in Nashville in September and it promises to be outrageous---not to mention just too much fun--- and it is priced right!! (Did i mention that not only do you learn but you don't sleep cause you're having too much fun?) Check the BHQ calendar for the links to these conventions and for more info. I urge you to take the time to attend a convention. IBAC is finally moving out of cold Chicago and will be in LA next May 2004. Balloon conventions are an investment in your future and well worth the money-- so save up your pennies today to get back a bundle in rewards later! (sorry, that was a winded 2 cents worth!) Linda Kiss www.learnballoondecorating.com __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The New Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo. http://search.yahoo.com