179 Issue 2 2014 NABAS The only independent trade association for the party & promotional balloon industry in the UK
BALLOONIES NABAS The National Association of Balloon & Party Professionals
Helping You Take Your Business To A Higher Level
NABAS Management Committee As there were no nominations forthcoming from the membership your committee members for the forthcoming year are as follows: Philomena Groome, Fantazia Decorations (Retailer/Decorator) Amiee Hughes, Partylicious Wrexham (Decorator) John Lee - Chairman, International Balloon Academy (Decorator) Steve Marsh, The Balloon Experience (Decorator) George Oustayiannis, GO International (Wholesaler) Paul Widdowson - Vice Chairman, Event Planners (Retailer) As you can see there are a number of vacancies in both the Wholesaler/Manufacturer/Printer and Retailer/Decorator categories for which the new committee will be looking to co-opt some willing members. If you are interested in being co-opted onto the committee or would like to know more about what is involved please contact the NABAS office. If you have an issue or idea that you would like to put to the committee for discussion then please let the NABAS office know you can call - 01989 762204; fax - 01989 567676; or email info@nabas.co.uk
CONGRATULATIONS NABAS committee member Amiee Hughes has recently had a new addition to her family with the safe arrival of Tamara Louise, on Thursday 15th May, weighing a healthy 7lb 6oz. Our congratulations and best wishes go to Amiee & family.
FROM YOUR CHAIRMAN Dear Member
BALLOONIES EDUCATE - PROMOTE - INFORM
The Committee are working hard to bring together the NABAS Balloon & Party Show next year with a host of different seminars that hopefully will cater to all our members, along with some very interesting but different competitions. Our new website looks on course to be in place and running by the end of June with some great new features that I know some of our members have been waiting for, for quite some time now, and many more will like as well. The NMBA ( Nabas Master Balloon Artist ) qualification is taking us a little longer than we expected to put together, partly due to one or two late course submissions, as well as insuring the high level of standards that this qualification is set at, but we are getting there and we are hoping to have the first of them up and running by the end of June also. We still have a couple of places vacant on the Committee if any of you enthusiastic members would like to get involved with the running of your Association. Just give Kate or Hilary a call at the office to register your interest. Until next time; Happy Ballooning, Face Painting, Sweetie Karting, Chair Covering, Chocolate Fountaining, Event Decorating etc etc but most important of all, working to be the BEST at what you do! John Lee CBA; Your Chairman Balloonies No. 179 Issue 2 2014 Front Image courtesy of Matthew Lewis Š NABAS - The Balloon Association 2014 Published by NABAS The Balloon Association Ltd Katepwa House, Ashfield Park Avenue, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 5AX 01989 762204 Content Editor: NABAS
NABAS Committee
Philomena Groome, Amiee Hughes , John Lee, Steve Marsh, George Oustayiannis, Paul Widdowson Secretariat
Gill Hinton, Kate Walker, Hilary Pulsford, Elizabeth Malcolm, Jo Maguire
NABAS Level 2 Course with Philomena Groome
A lot of education and enjoyment went on at the recent NABAS Level 2 course held at Knebworth Barns on 28th April:
“Thanks for sending out the certificate for my level 2 course. I just wanted to say what a brilliant day I had, it was a lovely setting and I found Philomena to be a really informative tutor. Many thanks again for a brilliant day, the long drive was certainly worth it!!�
W B C 2 0 1 4 … . B l o o d , S w e a t a n d Te a r s Courtesy of Matt Lewis, Matthew Lewis Displays
How do you sum up the World Balloon Convention;. It’s a group of individual balloon artists from all four corners of the globe who travel to a central local every two years to compete in the most outrageous competitions you have ever seen. From 16′ high sculptures, hats, dresses and columns to the most ornate centrepieces, all of which are constructed from framework and balloons, either inflated or not and then after that attend some of the most educational training courses taught by the industries best teachers to help advance their companies and skills to the next level. And if that was not enough they then attend two of the most sought-after industry parties of the year where they party like rock stars at the opening party night and praise each other at the final night Gala Awards Night, then inbetween all that lot they sleep…sometimes…IT’S AWESOME and I loved every minute of it
The Journey….. My journey to WBC 2014 started on Tuesday 25th March with an early 6am check in at Birmingham Airport to catch my first flight of the day to Frankfurt, Germany. Within and hour of landing I was ready to catch this bad boy to Denver. It only took 10 hours. Once I had arrived at the hotel I checked into my room, unpacked and went off in search of Mike Harris and TEAM GB. Now for those of you who did no now, I had been asked by Mike to join TEAM GB and help with the sculpture and in return Mike would let TEAM GB help me with the decor for the QBN meeting on the Saturday afternoon. Seemed fare to me. I located TEAM GB. They seemed to have been working hard (I think !!!)
Within a few hours I had them cracked into shape and progress was being made‌.at last The wall finally gets done thanks to me. Well no one else was going to erect it so I had to
The smoke trails for the planes start to come to life
Lucy Hennessy thinks it's cool to stand in the middle of the clouds and Jo Dunne just looks on
World Balloon Convention cont‌.. Finished and looking AWESOME. 10 crew and 27 hours non stop. Blood, Sweat & Tears
Team GB with the finished sculpture. Well done Mike & Sara Harris and thank you to Matt Russell & Beth Barlow from Team Australia who stood in to help when Sara was taken to hospital with a bad right hand injury.
My Bit….. As Friday night drew to a close I rounded up my team of helpers and headed to the Tower Ballroom where I had been asked to design, build and install the décor for the Saturday afternoon QBN meeting. I had decided to install the décor late into the evening as this would not interfere with any of Saturday’s classes for the crew who were assisting me; but unfortunately my stock had not been picked and was not due to be delivered until the Saturday morning. A quick re-shuffle and several members from TEAM GB offered to miss their Saturday morning classes and work on the décor with me. Many thanks guys and all who turned up as I could not have done it without you.…..
Once the decor had been completed it was a quick tidy up so the crew could attend what was left of their classes. I managed to grab a few moments to my self and sat at the back of the room admiring the decor. I was the only one in the room and it was so quiet. All of a sudden I hears footsteps behind me. They stopped and the person in question gave a small GASP!. I turned around and it was my client (Chelsea Gaspard), her mouth slightly open. I wondered what was going through her mind, I stood up and looked at her, I noticed her eyes were filling with water and a few tears had rolled down her cheek. You have to remember that this was the closing stages of WBC and although enjoyable it is shattering for crew and delegates and emotions run high and her tears were tears of joy. Never before have the QBN had this level of decor for their meeting. She walked over to me and gave me a GREAT BIG HUG and in a small voice said “Thank you”. That was all she needed to say as those words meant so much to me, and yes I was emotional as well.
Delegates started to arrive at 3pm and it was great to see so many people get their cameras out and start snapping away at pictures of the decor. I kept a low profile at the back of the room and overheard a few comments and they were all 100% positive. After the meeting I posted a few images on-line and the response was amazing. Chelsea’s brief to me was to make it look amazing, give it the real WOW factor but keep it simple and sellable… yep, think I got it right for once (I could not of done it without TEAM GB, Cam Woody and various other volunteers…THANK YOU)
The Gala…. The final night Gala Awards dinner was three hours after the QBN meeting so a quick hose down and on with the DJ and off we all went looking rather dapper. Team GB won silver for the sculpture whilst Mike and Sara picked up a bronze for the column competition and Lucy Hennessy won 4, yes 4 bronzes, good girl Lucy.
The day after the night before….. Sunday was spent walking around and reminiscing on the past few days with a bit of shopping and sightseeing and then unbeknown to me my surprise 50th Birthday party at the Cheesecake Factory. I’m not 50 till September so TEAM GB you have a lot to answer for (Loved it guys, loved it)…….then all of a sudden it was time to pack and head home. A very emotional farewell to all those who I had the pleasure of meeting and working with. The next WBC will be April 2016 in New Orleans. If you want to progress your company then make it a date and get there, it will be the best investment you have ever made and will keep you motivated for years. Matthew Lewis, Matthew Lewis Displays
NABAS members have been doing some amazing jobs - just take a look over the following two pages. If you have something that you want to share then do let the NABAS office know - info@nabas.co.uk - what better way to promote your work to show future clients than an article in your industry association's magazine. Melissa Johnson of Blissful Balloons created this fun air filled spiral arch with funky curls and flowers for a summer birthday party awesome!
Kerry Linnell of KS Balloons created this palm tree for a Hawaii themed party
Alison May of Ballooning Great has had some fun work recently - from Disco Columns (complete with Glitter Ball balloon) to Hawaii and Baby Swings:
More wonderful creations from Alison May of Ballooning Great.
Striking Top Table from Annabel Grange of Butterflies & Bows
Last Bank Holiday Monday there was a local Village Day in my area (West Wickham, Kent) to raise awareness of an overlooked, yet lovely local park. I had a stall to promote my company Balloonease to parents and local people and wanted to make an impact. I decided to go for the under the sea arch as it is bright and eye catching. It worked and I had a constant queue of customers buying bubble, foils and single latex for the duration of the day. However, my biggest and most surprising seller was the Octopus that is featured on top!!! At the beginning of the day a little girl came up and said "can I have an Octopus please", I wasn't expecting to make another as it was just part of the display but thought "one won't hurt". I filled it will helium and off she went. 5 minutes later another mum came over and asked "can we have an Octopus please"? As I had already made one, I couldn't really say no so made another. I then had a constant demand for Octopus (or is it Octopie) for the full 4 1/2 hours! I estimate I made around 25 (could have been more) and if I had more time, energy and 160q's I could have sold 20 more. It was an Octopus frenzy!! that made me smile and my hands ache!! Joanne Gardner Balloonease Limited
AGE STAND UP DESIGN RECIPE Created by Chris Horne, Amscan International Ltd The simple style of this design adapts to any age - and keeps the balloons facing the right way! Product Required 2 x 36” Anagram Decorator Foil Curve Balloons SuperShape Numbers to make desired age 1 x Balloon weight Balloon Bond and/or Stretchy Balloon tape Cable Ties Construction Method 1. Inflate one of the curves with helium. Pass the tail through the loop on the weight, fold back on itself and secure with a cable tie. 2. Inflate the number balloons with helium and attach them firmly together using pieces of Balloon Bond and/or Stretchy Balloon tape. 3. Attach the assembled numbers to the curve balloons with Balloon Bond and/or Stretchy Balloon tape, as required. Different numbers will attach in different places or ways, so hold them together before applying the tape to get the best position. 4. Inflate the second curve with helium and attach to the rest of the design as desired. Estimated Labour time: 5-10 minutes. To comply with California Law, or simply as an alternative, this design also works when inflated with air and suspended from above.
NABAS NEW MEMBERS 3742 Kerry Linnell KS Balloons Merseyside L14 0NU 0151 259 9387 3743 Ajay Pattni M'n'M Balloons Syston Leicester LE7 1GF 0845 838 1737 3744 Davina Holder Kashay Ltd Tottenham London N17 0AR 07790 774 160 3745 Juliana Brown JB Balloons Enfield Middlesex EN3 5SP 07900 584 621 3746 Caroline Thompson Bubble That Gift London SE12 9QF 07854 634 589 3747 Julie Spies Crazy 4 Balloons March Cambridgeshire PE15 9PR 07857709529
3748 Alison Retout Fly High Balloons Ruthin, Denbighshire Wales - North LL15 1YL 07581 017772 3749 Tara Duff The Cambridge Balloon Company Cambridge CB1 1LS 01223 322 440 3750 Edita Paliskyte Flowers & Gifts 'Just For You' Boston Lincolnshire PE21 6DH 07561 478184 3751 Helen Wilson Helen's Parties & Gifts Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire HP3 9TN 01442 217467 3752 Diana Asante JODI Events Dagenham Essex RM8 3DG 07903 989270 3753 Joanne Corpe Jo's Party Company Jacks Hatch Essex CM16 6PZ 07983 648202
3754 Deirdre Carmody Deesigner Balloons Co Clare Ireland 00 353 860 897 336
NABAS NEW MEMBERS
3755 Hannah Barrett Ballooning Over The Chilterns Amersham Buckinghamshire HP6 6FH 01494 262162 3756 Deborah Horrocks Perfect Parties Newport Isle of Wight PO30 1SS 01983 472408 3757 Rekha Ballagan Ad Party Shop Great Barr Birmingham B42 1TN 0121 357 9761 3758 Angela Holland Dublin Balloons Dublin 5 Ireland (00 353) 1 851 2217
3759 Claire Summers Infinity Balloons Gravesend Kent DA12 5TB 07870679966 3760 Paul Dunning Ashington Northumberland NE63 0HY 01670 810 734 3761 Wendy Leavy Party Mad Celbridge, County Kildare Ireland 00353 1624 7831 3762 Sergey Kuznetsov PartyBalloons.ie County Dublin Ireland 00353 1503 0678
Please note that inclusions of any inserts/adverts within Balloonies are paid-for advertisements and therefore members should not consider this action as an endorsement by NABAS of the products or services.
NABAS APPROVED TEACHERS/TRAINERS
Yvonne Baynes Lodge Cordell Balloonery Tel: 01986 894482 yvonb@tiscali.co.uk Courses Provided: NABAS Level 1; NABAS Level 2;
John Lee CBA & Jane Lee ANBA International Balloon Academy Tel: 01908 605960 / 07852 204706 www.international-balloonacademy.co.uk iba@bloonoccasions.co.uk Courses Provided: NABAS Level 1; NABAS Level 2; Basics & Beyond; Beyond the Basics; Varied range of Master Classes
Area Covered: East Anglia Area Covered: Milton Keynes and beyond
Jo Uddin CBA Balloon Training Academy by Inflated Ideas Tel: 07904 178024 www.inflatedideas.co.uk jo@inflatedideas.co.uk Courses Provided: NABAS Level 1; NABAS Level 2 Area Covered: Hertfordshire & throughout UK
Janie Bacon Just Janie Promotions Tel: 0141 883 4259 Courses Provided: NABAS Level 1; NABAS Level 2 Area Covered: Scotland
Rita Kyriacou CBA Marguerite's Academy of Balloon Artistry Tel: 01279 639508 www.marguerites-academy.co.uk ritakyriacou@btinternet.com Courses Provided: NABAS Level 1; NABAS Level 2; Wedding Workshops Area Covered: Hertfordshire, Essex & the South East
Mitch Gilbert CBA Rainbow Balloons Tel: 01625 585910
NABAS APPROVED TEACHERS/TRAINERS
Philomena Groome CBA School House of Balloons Tel: 07956 226824 www.fantazia-decorations.co.uk info@fantazia-decorations.co.uk Courses Provided: NABAS Level 1; NABAS Level 2; Exploding Balloons; Wedding Workshop Area Covered: Yorkshire & throughout UK
www.rainbowballoons.me.uk info@rainbowballoons.me.uk Courses Provided: NABAS Level 1; NABAS Level 2; Advanced level; 260’s Course; Balloon Drops Area Covered: Cheshire, NW England & Nth Wales
Mary George Gretna Green Creations Tel: 01709 818636 www.gretnagreencreations.co.uk info@gretnagreencreations.co.uk Courses Provided: NABAS Level 1; NABAS Level 2;
Area Covered: Yorkshire and the North East
WHOLESALERS, MANUFACTURERS & PRINTERS BALLOONZ
ADAMS GAS 2 Bath Road, Margate Kent CT9 1SL T:01843 220596 F:01843 228315 steve@adamsgas.co.uk www.adamsgas.co.uk
12 Coltsfoot Close, Wildern Gate, Hedge End, Southampton SO30 4UN T: 01489790893 sales@balloonz.co.uk www.balloonz.co.uk
BALLOONS TO GO B-LOONY LTD Buck House Sunnyside Road Chesham, Bucks HP5 2AR T:01494 774 376 F:01494 791268 balloons@b-loony.co.uk www.b-loony.com
The Old Coppermill, Coppermill Lane Wimbledon SW17 0BN T:0802 971 7022 sales@balloonstogo.co.uk www.balloonstogo.co.uk
BELBAL UK
Broadgate House, Church Street BALLOON SUPPLY & DISTRIBUTION Deeping St James, Peterborough Unit1B. Woodside House, Woodside Park, Lincolnshire PE6 8HD T:01778 343 445 F:01778 347 230 Catteshall Lane, Godalming, info@belbaluk.co.uk Surrey GU7 1LG www.belbaluk.co.uk T:01483 808121 F:01483 808 141 sales@balloonsupply.co.uk BOC LTD www.balloonsupply.co.uk The Priestly Centre, 10 Priestly Road The Surrey Research Park, Guilford Surrey BALLOON WORLD GU2 7XY Unit E Parkside Business Park, T:01483 244035 Kirkstead Way www.bocballoongas.co.uk Golborne, Cheshire WA3 3PY CTI BALLOONS LTD T:01942 719888 F:01942 719 988 6 Consul Road, Rugby sales@balloonworld.co.uk Warwickshire CV21 1PB www.balloonworld.co.uk T:01788 546299 ctiballoon@aol.com BALLOONS AROUND SCOTLAND www.ctiballoons.co.uk 100 Carnegie Road, Hillington Ind Est Glasgow G52 4JZ FOLKDEAN LTD T:0141 882 8107 F:0141 882 9925 Unit 2 Lydney Harbour Estate, Lydney sales@balloonsaroundscotland.com Gloucestershire GL15 4EJ www.balloonsaroundscotland.com T:01594 841545 F:01594 844 577 sales@folkdean.co.uk www.folkdean.co.uk
=
Indicates print service offered
WHOLESALERS, MANUFACTURERS & PRINTERS GO INTERNATIONAL (UK) LTD Unit 15, The IO Centre, Arlington Business Park, Whittle Way, Stevenage SG1 2BD T:01438 745746 F:01438 745747 george@gointernational.co.uk www.gointernational.co.uk
HOUSE PARTI 20 Mandervell Road, Oadby Industrial Estate, Oadby, Leicestershire LE2 5LQ T:0116 271 0100 F:0116 271 0300 sales@houseparti.com www.houseparti.com
PARTY PLUS 16/42 Canham Road, Acton London W3 7SR T:020 8811 2898 steve@partyplus.co.uk www.partyplus.co.uk
TALKING BALLOONS McGregor’s Way, Turnoaks Business Park Chesterfield, Derbyshire S40 2WB T:01246 270555 F:01246 270566 sales@talkingballoons.com www.talkingballoons.com
NORTHSTAR BALLOONS
VIBORG BALLON A/S
Saundhurst, Micklea Lane, Longsdon, Nr. Leek, Staffordshire, ST9 9QA T: 01538 382998 ismith@northstarballoons.com www.northstarballoons.eu
Gortlervej 7 DK8800 Viborg DENMARK T:00 45 866 21200 bini@viborg-ballon.dk www.viborg-ballon.dk
OAKTREE UK LTD
WORTHINGTON CYLINDERS
66 James Carter Road Industrial Estate Mildenhall, Suffolk IP28 7DE T:01638 716655 F:01638 711211 sales@oaktreeuk.com www.oaktreeuk.com
PARTY DELIGHTS LTD Unit 4 Tallow Way, Fairhills Road Irlam, Manchester M44 6RJ T:0161 776 1133 F:0161 776 1144 steveg@partydelights.co.uk www.partydelights.co.uk
PREMIUM BALLOON ACCESSORIES
Beim Flaschenwerk 1 A-3291 Keinberg bei Gaming AUSTRIA T:00 43 7485 606 272 F:00 43 7485 606 694 Timo.snoeren@wthg.at www.worthingtoncylinders.com www.balloontime.com ZIBI GmbH Kalkdarren 15 D-79713 Bad Sackingen GERMANY T:00 49 776 192 4010 info@zibi.de www.zibi.de
PO Box 352 Sharon Centre, Ohio 44274 USA Please see the NABAS website for T: 00 1 330 239 4547 info@coolaire.com full details of our Wholesaler & www.premiumballoon.com
Manufacturer Members
Indicates print service offered =
www.nabas.co.uk
Tel: 020 8594 7221 sales@saundersdisplays.co.uk
New Swirl Heart
Balloon Panels
Letters A-Z & Numbers 0-9 available. A See our website for full product details, including shipping information & prices
www.balloonframesbysaunders.co.uk