From: AeraDeco@aol.com
Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2000 15:52:27 EST
Subject: Re: IBAC Pricing and other thoughts
To: jag270@juno.com, SEBDPARTY@aol.com

Well, those were some interesting comments you chose to share. But as one of 
the artists you carelessly insulted in your e-mail, I feel rather compelled 
to respond.

For those reading, I'm the one apparently who's "not learning anything" 
because I didn't have the cash for an additional emergency night's stay at 
the Rosemont Hyatt after IBAC 15. The point behind my example was for another 
home-based decorator who was wondering where she was going to get the funds 
for such an expensive venture like IBAC. I was merely trying to express the 
importance that IBAC has played in my "latex education" and why, if you can, 
it would be in your best interest to go.

As any other artist out here who knows me will tell you, my business is VERY 
part time, not because of level or ability, but because of restrictions on my 
time and resources (being a full time college student can do that to you). 
When I am prepared to take my business full time upon graduation, I will have 
a literal arsenal of information, strategies and creations to sell, not to 
mention an entire network of friends and balloon professionals across the 
world....and most of that is thanks to my involvement in IBAC. 

Do the producers profit off of the conventions? Well, I don't know anyone in 
this business who doesn't want that. Is IBAC the only was to succeed? 
Certainly not. But I will tell you this...for the money, it's the most 
rewarding education you will ever receive in the balloon industry. 

It's unfortunate that you have the wrong impression of IBAC and its 
producers...and that is your loss. What seems to escape many people is that 
IBAC is one of the largest (if not THE largest) force behind bringing ALL 
aspects of ballooning to the national spotlight. This positive presentation 
of our trades and talents advances ALL of our causes and gives the general 
public a better idea of what we can really do besides inflate a foil. Almost 
every year, IBAC is featured on a national television broadcast, only 
furthering the efforts of EVERYONE in the industry. So whether you like it or 
not, we all benefit from them...even you.

Now, the next time you feel compelled to take a stab at my (or anyone else's) 
intelligence, I suggest you get your all your facts straight. And, if you're 
going to be cute and "flame" someone publicly like you did, have the respect 
to put your name at the bottom. It's awful easy to enjoy anonymity when 
you're hiding behind an e-mail address.

Steven Jones
Aeration Decorations
Cincinnati, OH