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Carmen Ballering
Balloons Milwaukee, Event Decorating Academy
Milwaukee, WI
Carmen is a creative and highly motivated, balloon Artist. She owns Balloons Milwaukee. She has received numerous awards for her designs at international competitions. This dedicated artist designed and produced the Betallic sponsored event, Balloon-a-Palooza, a new community balloon art exhibit that is attended by over nine thousand people every year. Carmen spends her free time helping others start their own successful businesses. She currently runs the American Balloon Association, and is coordinator for a new comprehensive educational program, the Event Decorating Academy where she will be offering on going decorating education and certification programs.
Cindy Derrick, CBA
Brite Ideas / Round Rock, Texas
cindy@briteideastexas.com
Cindy has been in the balloon decor and delivery business since 1987. She has served as an instructor, contributor to industry publications and production staff member for several balloon conventions since 1988. She continues to operate an event decor company, consultant and manage events for other professionals from coast to coast. She is a charter member of QBN, balloon educator for over 16 years and owner of a balloon decorating business for over 18 years.
Melissa Gjergji, CBA
MelRhea Balloon Creations / Paducah, KY
In July 2000, Melissa Gjergji was introduced to the world of balloons and started her own décor business, MelRhea Balloon Creations - the leader in balloon and event decor in all of Western Kentucky. Melissa's talents are in high demand throughout four different states, servicing Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri and Tennessee.
After attaining her CBA in 2002, Melissa has become recognized as an emerging leader in the balloon decor industry. Her stylish and elegant event designs have been compared to some of the decor world's biggest names, and her use of mixed media in her work has drawn critical acclaim from both industry icons and day to day decorators alike. She continues to advance her knowledge of balloon décor through various educational opportunities, research of industry trends and networking with other balloon professionals across the country and around the world.
In addition to her career as a balloon decorator, Melissa has a Bachelor of Science degree in Advertising and Graphic Design from Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. She continues to work in the field, serving as a consultant and creating logos and marketing materials for other balloon professionals. Melissa serves as the graphic designer for AeraDeco Video, designing the covers for their instructional DVDs.
Melissa lives in Paducah, Kentucky, with her husband, Eri, and her son, Elian.
Accomplishments:
Designer of the Year – 2008 FLOAT the Convention
1st Place Large Sculpture – 2008 FLOAT the Convention
1st Place Centerpiece – 2008 FLOAT the Convention
1st Place Entrance Decor – 2008 FLOAT the Convention
Delegate Choice for Large Sculpture - 2008 FLOAT the Convention
Delegate Choice for Centerpiece - 2008 FLOAT the Convention
Delegate Choice for Entrance Décor - 2008 FLOAT the Convention
Betallatex Artistic Achievement Award for Wearable Balloon Art
Bfeatured Spotlight Artist – Spring 2009 Catalog
Designer of the Year – 2008 Summer Balloon Camp
1st Place Portfolio – 2008 Summer Balloon Camp
1st Place Centerpiece – 2008 Summer Balloon Camp
1st Place Small Non-Round Sculpture – 2008 Summer Balloon Camp
2nd Place Large Sculpture – 2008 Summer Balloon Camp
Betallic Decorator Advisory Board Member
2008 AEMI Fashion Show Designer – Shanghai, China
BalloonHQ.com Featured Artist – October 2008
Certified Balloon Artist since 2002
Work featured in Images Magazine
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Steve Jones
Aeration Decorations / Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
aeradeco@aol.com
After entering the business of balloons in 1997, Steven Jones turned a struggling, part time hobby into a full time occupation. Since then, his time and talents have helped him become an emerging leader in the industry.
In 2003, Steven was asked to serve as a monthly columnist on BalloonHQ.com by its founder, Larry Moss, a position he continues to fill to this day. He has also served as an instructor at numerous balloon educational events around the country. And in 2004, Steven established BalloonTown USA, the nation's largest annual public balloon exhibition.
Most recently, Steven received top honors as Designer of the Year at the 2005 Ballooniversity Sculpture Competition. Within two weeks, his entry, "Joker's Wild", took First Place in the Large Sculpture competition at the 2005 Balloon Summer Camp.
Gary Ledbetter, CBA
Balloon Magic and The Balloon Calculator
gllmagic@aol.com
Gary paid his way through college by performing magic and entertaining with balloons. After graduating from Auburn University with a degree in electrical engineering he decided he didn’t want a real job, so he opened a balloon store. His company offers balloon décor, sculptures, character deliveries, gift baskets and special effects with balloons for the southeast regions of the USA. Gary has taught at various seminars and open houses since 1990 and designed the final night décor for Ballooniversity for the last four years. Gary is also the creator of the Balloon Calculator, the greatest software program for balloons ever!!
Guido Verhoef, CBA
Manifold / Netherlands
Guido, born in the Netherlands, attended the European School for Performing Arts and Bont’s International Clown school. He started working as a clown and balloon artist in 1993. In 1995 he started his own entertainment company called Manifold. The company specializes is training artists in the Netherlands, France, Spain, Belgium and Germany.
In 2002 he expanded his company to include innovative and unique balloon decoration. Their décor encompasses everything from basic elements to very high end décor. Their décor and unique acts are designed for large company-events and shows. Guido’s talent is offering the complete package to his clients. He covers all the elements the event needs to be successful. To date they have arranged over 4000 performances most of which include balloon decor.
A significant part of Guido’s décor work is done with LINK-O-LOON® and he has built a reputation of being the innovator in new concepts with LINK-O-LOON®.
Besides the work as Creative Director every year Guido enjoys doing over 200 performances and workshops himself.
www.theArtofballoons.com
www.balloonravers.nl
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