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This month I traveled to beautiful Athens, Georgia to attend the Decorator's Workshop and Ballooniversity 2005. Flowers Inc Balloons (Burton & Burton) hosts these annual events. See the event photos!
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| Participants received two full days of hands on experience. |
Decorators Workshop was a 2-day, hands-on workshop presented by Gary Ledbetter and a team of instructors: Todd Neufeld, Debra Penny, Ted Cubler, Kathy Emenicker, Cindy Derrick, Cindy Chait. Attendees were divided into groups and were assigned stations. These stations created large scale sculptures such as Caesars Palace, Circus Circus, and Elvis' Wedding Chapel. Some attendees also created with large twisted sculptures such as taxi cabs, brides and grooms.
Instructors taught basic and traditional techniques during the creation of stage and dancefloor decor. Advanced techniques were employed during construction of the Bellagio (using SDS) and the Mirage volcano (including special effects). Attendees received valuable experience in design planning, rigging, and large sculpture building, along with on-the-job tips and tricks.
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| Attendees learned a number of decorator techniques. |
This year, Ballooniversity celebrated it's 21st year and hosted some of the best and brightest instructors in the balloon, floral and gift industry. Classes covered basic balloon decor, floral centerpieces, and profit boosting techniques. It was a great opportunity to learn, exchange ideas and to have fun.
Ballooniversity held 5 competitions: Large Sculpture, Non-round Sculpture, Table Centerpiece, Delivery Bouquet and Gift Basket. The prizes were amazing, and included cash awards, free 2006 event registrations, and commemorative plaques. Steven Jones of Aeration Decorations won Designer of the Year. He took home $1,000 cash, $1,000 in whole sale prizes, two 2006 registrations, plus airfare and hotel costs for Ballooniversity 2006.
All competition entries were judged on sculpture detail, mechanics, color harmony, originality, proportion and scale, relevancy to theme, visual impact, creativity and adherence to all rules. As these qualities are already a part of your work, I encourage you to enter next year!
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| Caesar's Palace was recreated for one of the many parties. |
Maxine & Bob Burton put on a wonderful party each night of the event. Southern hospitality was at it's finest! Attendees enjoyed an evening at the Burtons home for a wonderful dinner, great band, and fun in the pool! The awards ceremony was unforgettable. There were surprises all night (I won't tell you what they were, you'll have to attend next year to see for yourself!). After all was said and done, the Burtons hosted four parties in all, and all will be fond memories. Thank you Maxine and Bob!
