3rd Birthday Parties - Elegant and Sophisticated

We love doing 3rd Birthday Parties. Ok, so this was not a typical 3 year old kids party. It was the Marquee Sydney at the Star 3rd birthday.

We had some fabulous personalised large balloons throughout the club.  We sprayed them all white for extra impact.  The Happy Bday around the bar was the first thing that guests saw as they entered the room.  Big impact and a guaranteed great night coming up.

Obviously it isn't a celebration without Miss Australia, Richard Wilkins and some lovely ladies to cut the cake. Note the awesome photo "balloon backdrop"

We did a number of bunches to highlight the fact that this was a 3rd Birthday.  We tried to replicate the cake design and colour with the number 3.  Having everything matching adds to the atmosphere of elegance andsophistication.

...speaking of elegance and sophistication...!!.

Here is a full shot of the media wall .  Our "piece de resistance".  As with Marquee, I am happy to design an effect that will suit the needs of your celebration or launch.  Here I did the large number 3 and 6 large round balloons with silk draping spilling down to the floor.  We couldn't find a celebrity for this shot, so I had to pretend.  Good news - I'm not giving up my day job!!  Enjoy!!

Velocity and BP Launch - Enhance your Brand

Last week Virgin Australia and BP teamed up to launch the new Velocity program around the nation. Obviously the partnership will enhance both brands and make the products of both companies more attractive to consumers.

MAD Balloons was chosen to provide the balloon decor for the Sydney events. We were to dress the BP Service Station at Rozelle in red and green, in a bid to transform it to a red carpet airport experience for the customer. It had to be ready by 6.30am and last all day.  Mother nature did her best to completely ruin the event, but our MAD Balloons designs were up to the challenge...!  This weatherproof arch greeted the customer as they entered the shop.

As you can see these outdoor columns are sitting on the saturated driveway. Originally the BP Safety Officer ruled them out due to the high winds. However when we showed him the "wide foot"aeropole base plates we had and the extra weights, he agreed to let us place one column out for 30 minutes and see what happened. As you can see mother nature could not destroy our robust designs and we were given authority to have all 4 out in the thick of it all day.  When we returned at 7pm to tear them down, they were still standing tall.

By creating the colour out on the driveway it brought the customers and once they were inside, they got the red carpet treatment from the Virgin hostesses.  Great job ladies.
We also had the BP logo on the green balloons and the Velocity logo on the red balloons for even greater branding impact inside.

So we were able to create designs that enhanced both the brands, we had the technology to withstand the weather onslaught, and did I mention that we installed it all in 70 minutes. Call us for the MAD Balloons experience and we will create the WOW for your major product launch.

Kia Reveal

Time for a tale of a job of epic proportions.  So get yourself a cuppa and settle back in for a sizable read.  It is okay as there is an awesome video at the end for your viewing pleasure

The Brief

1. Create an original way of revealing the two new KIA cars at the Sydney MotorShow 2012.  The cars are to be completely covered with balloons and the balloons are to simply 'melt away' to reveal the vehicles.  The balloon covering is not to look structured but very 'organic'.
2. The vehicles must be COMPLETELY covered. 
3. The job must be completed by 8am for a 9.30am reveal.  
4. Balloons are to be helium filled as they want minimum rigging.  Also helium balloons will have a more random, organic feel as they simply fly away.

"...And where is the Motorshow being staged??"

"Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre."

At this point I need to alert the client to the fact of the $3,300 fine they would incur if a single balloon got away from us and broke the laser fire alarms inside the building.  SCEC would not allow them to simply release all the balloons in their desired 'organic' manner.

I won't bore you with the details of the many meetings over the next month, the failed initial trial, the successful second trial.  However I will tell you that to overcome the fire alarm issue and to keep the 'organic' feel we decided to attach all the balloons to a net - double sided.

So, this is me going nuts at about midnight doing the real thing in our tiny construction room.  Wait a minute. Back up.  I didn't tell you about our schedule did I?  Read on

Full dress rehearsal the day before and then the reveal next day.  Easy right?  Try this schedule on;

• 11am - arrive at SCEC for dress rehearsal.  6 people on site. Construct and install 1 net.  Trying to accommodate clients requests as we proceed ("can you add a bit more red in that area" etc).
• 5pm. - install net.  Test and checks and leave at 5.30pm.
• Back to workshop to pack van for the real thing.  Dinner.
• 9.45pm - back in the van and drive to SCEC.  Bump in all supplies at 10.30pm.  Two extra people join us making it 8 staff.
• 11pm - everyone is assigned their tasks and we begin.  Nets are hung between poles.  1 person on each side of the net passing the balloon necks through and tying them on.
• 2.45am - first net finished.  Making good time, but the team is starting to feel the pinch after being on deck since 11am yesterday.  Quick drinks break.
• 3am - start second net.
• 7am - second net completed.  1 hour to put them together and get them rigged.  After 20 hours on the job it was getting tough.  Client has arrived and is starting to apply the pressure.
• 8.15am - nets rigged and ready to go for reveal.  

Due to the small work room we were allocated, each net had to be made in 4 pieces.  Once each section is completed we had to send them out of the room and clamp them to the floor.  Once 4 pieces were completed we had to put them together to make one big cover, as Wendy is doing above.  Once done we 'wrapped' the net over the car and tied it down.

Interesting Facts

•  each net had just over 1500 helium filled balloons.
•  two balloons popped while rigging.  Each time it was a race to find which balloon had popped and make sure it's pair did not get away.  
• As we were bumping out there were a number of other car manufacturers coming to have a look at the Kia stand.
• This is the biggest job that I have ever undertaken, so great satisfaction to get it done.

8.15am and all is well.  From left to right we have Rebecca, Albert, Ian, Michelle, Dave, Maureen.  Wendy and Robyn had to leave just before the picture.  

My thanks to Rebecca and Michelle from The Party Hive,  Robyn from Bella Balloons and Maureen from Balloon Elegance for their invaluable assistance. 

*Click the above image to view the video!

TNT Orange Week at the office

Another example of an office event is TNT Orange Week. TNT have a whole week of celebrations, and they called in the MAD Balloons crew to do what we do.

A large walkunder arch at the entry to the office was the perfect way to start each day.  The squiggles on the arch add that extra touch of fun.

Don't forget about the reception girls. We covered the front of the reception desk with a balloon wall, which came up a treat with the backlight.  Nice and trim so customers and guests could still access the desk. 
Then a big balloon banner so there was no mistaking what they were celebrating.  Happy Orange Week TNT!

So what can you do?

When a company achieves a milestone, it is only natural to want to celebrate. This is when we often get the call and are asked "So what can you do for us?" Let me try and explain what MAD Balloons does using this recent example.
As you can see we can replicate your logo on the very large 90cm foil shape balloons. Big impact!! It also co-ordinates with, and enhances your banners etc.

The MAD Balloons staff will take the time to make sure that we get the arrangements right. As you can see, Alexandra is making sure that each bouquet is exactly the same as the others, and that they are perfectly finished.

Then we place the bouquets in position so the room looks fantastic and ready for the guests to arrive.  We also added a small masterbow next to the cake.  Adding some colour around the cake without overwhelming it.

Another large personalised column at the entry and this party is ready to go.

Ooh yeah.  And did I mention that we do early starts?  This event had to be ready for the early risers.  We were in at 6am, and out just before 7am.  All staff entered the office with a smile that day - even the really early ones!

Really BIG 3' Balloons

A really big room, such as the Lake Room at Waterview Convention Centre Homebush, requires some really big balloons to make it look sensational.
We created this effect for the Teachers Credit Union cocktail event recently. I thought it was pretty fantastic, but what did the client think?

Hi David,

I just wanted to thank you for your excellent service and the delivery of a room that looked amazing.
We had so many comments about the balloons - they were an absolute hit and quite a few people have asked for your contact details.
Hope to have the opportunity to work with you again.

Sharan


I think that means that they liked it!!

The Year of the Dragon

Happy Chinese New Year. We did this great dragon entry design recently for a new Chinese restaurant - combining the year of the dragon and their opening...

if you look closely, I think you can see this guy smiling for the camera...


... of course, not all dragons are happy ones. Here I am putting the finishing touches on this fierce guy out in Western Sydney.

The large dragon head was the focal piece for the stage activities and prize giveaways at a large club.

So what type of dragon do you want....

Have a great 2012 - the year of the Dragon!

Pillar Wraps - Transform a Room

My thanks to Eduardo Seiti Yoshikawa CBA of ESBD in Sao Paulo Brazil. Eduardo developed the EaSY (named after himself...of course)System for wrapping pillars and columns. It is so simple, relatively quick to install and as you can see it can transform a space completely.



This pale blue and white was for a 16th Birthday. A fabulous cake table that will look sensational in the pictures.

And this one done at the Love Summit held in Sydney recently.

Footy Finals Fever 2011

Another season has past and the mighty Wests Tigers have made it to the final 8 again.

So my friends at Wests Ashfield want the club decked out in Tigers colours - different from last year of course.

So we start with the foyer.
Something that will WOW the members as they enter the club. OK, so let's do two columns and huge entry frame over the stairs. This will get the fans in for the game on Friday!


I also got to sell my brand new taper columns. Free standing, long lasting taper design with large helium star on top with the Tigers logo to top it off. These were placed throughout the level 1 foyer and the lounge.





Then we added some garland to highlight the signage, congratulating the team on making the finals again in 2011.


This is a close up of the sign that you could see from the entry foyer. Half way up the stairs we have a personalised square pack wall...

...or if you prefer the escalators, you won't miss out on the fun either.

Of course if the team go all the way to the big one, the Grand Final, we will get to have lots more fun. Go the Tigers!!

Half Yearly Sales

We have done some decor for a few Harvey Norman stores for their half yearly sales and this year was no exception. However, times are a bit tough in retail, so the franchisees were after long lasting displays and something very cost effective. Tapers to the rescue!



I started playing with some taper foils and came up with the following design. They have big impact, so the client didn't need as many as usual. They are long lasting, so they went well over the required 4 weeks, and they are a new idea that was very inviting for the customer, and it got people into the store. We added the personalised 20" star with SALE to complete the designs.

Client loved it and wants another new design for next time....

let's celebrate AMELIA

This is just a short post to show you another way to personalise large star foil balloons. Last post was adding JW letters to one star. This post is about adding one letter to each star. A great effect and one that comes up really well in the photos.


We did this design for Amelia's christening. It was over the cake table ready for the big moment when mum and dad cut the cake, while proudly holding Amelia.