From: Grtbigband@aol.com
Date: Sun, 20 Jul 1997 23:15:16 -0400 (EDT)
To: balloondeco@fooledya.com
Subject: State of the Industry

I've been reading with interest the discussions about Pioneer, BSA, etc.
 Perhaps a little insight about some other industries could be informative
and interesting.  My background is in professional photography.  That
industry has a large dominant manufacturer similar to Pioneer.  That company
spends a lot of money supporting the professional photographers, even though
the bulk of its sales is to amateurs.  It maintains its position in the
industry by producing a good product.  There's a lot of competition from
other manufacturers who also produce a good product.

A major difference in the photo biz is that the professional organizations
are independent and not aligned with any manufacturer.  Kodak, Fuji and
others all support the organizations, but do not control them as at IBAC.  I
can enter a competition print made on Kodak, Fuji, Agfa, etc. paper and shot
with anyone else's film.  My rewards are based on my ability and do not
depend on using any particular brand.  Also, if I choose to become a
Certified Professional Photographer, I receive the designation from the
Professional Photographers of America and not from Kodak or Fuji.

Kodak and other companies have marketing groups. If I want to let people
enjoy the "times of their lives," I sign up with Kodak and use their product
and benefit from their good name and advertising dollars.  I make a marketing
decision.

The difference I see in the balloon industry is that there is no independent
professional organization.  QBN is a marketing program for Pioneer.  This is
a great idea and should be encouraged, it sells balloons for us and Pioneer.
 It is not, however, a professional trade organization.  The other big
difference is the CBA designation.  This is a marketing tool that is being
passed off as professional certification.  It's a little like having your
dentist tell you he got his degree from the Listerine company.  Even if the
training and testing were identical, you might be a bit skeptical, especially
if the dentist had to "feature" Listerine product.

I would be interested in finding out if anybody on the list has information
about how other industries handle this situation.  My current thinking is
that the balloon industry needs and independent professional organization
that all manufacturers can support and also a certification program that is
separate from any individual company.

George Kwain