TAKING A SIESTA Keeping Balloon Fiesta Alive... Virtually
BY KEN TULEY
A TOUGH DECISION March 17, 2020. 200 days before the start of the 2020 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and in the face of strict state public health orders Balloon Fiesta officials close their offices and gift shop due to COVID concerns. It is an uncertain time for everyone. How do we work from home? How do we continue to plan for the world’s premier balloon event and nearly one million guests? Like nearly every business in the world, plans were put into place to work remotely and to meet via video conferencing. As the days and weeks went by, conversations start to shift from how to continue working, to what if these mass gathering restrictions linger for months and into October. What do we do about holding Balloon Fiesta? Two months go by. Every week brings more shutdowns, cancellations, rising infections, hospitalizations and deaths. The situation is getting worse, not better. Everyone wants to know what’s ahead. Complicating the situation, tickets have been on sale for months, pilots have been selected to participate, and sponsor sales and other preparations are well underway. Director of Operations Sam Parks announces that staff have developed four internal plans. • Plan A is an All-in Balloon Fiesta. COVID will fade and we will be able to hold the type of Balloon Fiesta like we always do.
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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2021 Official Program
