Why I only use Quality Balloons in the décor I produce.

Today I have completed 2 jobs, one on behalf of a very big company who subcontract work to Balloon Companies like mine and one where I worked for the client direct.

With my client, we took time to discuss what they wanted to achieve with the décor, making sure that it followed the clients brief, matching their brand colours and creating an eye catching, funky entrance to their company dinner and dance.

I knew exactly the room it was taking place in and what suited the layout. I was able to liaise with the venue staff (thank you S.I.V for all your help) and the décor was installed with the minimum of time and fuss. Not one balloon burst and the funky columns looked quality.

Contrast with my first job of the day. Opening décor for a large furniture retailer.

I was given the job late Thursday afternoon, with the minimum of instructions, ‘they want a 25ft helium garland arch and 20 floor standing arrangements and oh it needs to be in place by 9am on Saturday morning. We will send you the balloons and ribbon etc you just provide the helium and labour’.

Ok I thought, shouldn’t be too much of a problem, I knew where the store was as I had passed it the week before, I had a job in Sheffield anyway, so why not?

I arrived at our workshop at 6.50am along with a colleague and we set about inflating the garland arch and 20 floor standing arrangements. Pop, pop, pop not a sound I am used to as I use the finest balloons in the world in my décor, Qualatex. They may cost more but they are worth every penny. You achieve consistent results with the minimum of popage, I have used these balloons my entire career and normally I wouldn’t be seen dead using anything else. But because of the short notice I had to use the balloons I was provided with.

We eventually completed the arch, making it slightly longer at 30ft, loaded everything into the van and we arrived at the store at 8.35am ready to install. We had to wait because they wanted a photo shoot with the GB Volleyball team outside, ok, no problem. We took the floor standing balloons inside as it was blowing a gale and in my opinion would be better served in the windows inside.

Eventually we were able to get the garland arch out, I went to put it inside the door and was told they wanted it outside. I challenged this as I have just said it was blowing a gale and we were in a wind tunnel. But they were the clients technically and I always try to exceed expectations. We put it outside and were told they wanted it bigger. We had to take it back in and extend the arch, no mean feat once its made! We added an extra 10ft and took it back outside and we nearly took off as the wind lifted the arch and beat it about. I explained to the PR guy that as a professional I couldn’t do this, it was a hazard and I would prefer to take it away and come back with 2 big columns that they could place in their entrance. All the time the balloons were popping and I was so embarrassed, this is not what I do. He agreed and off we went back to the workshop.

We swiftly made 2 columns on our metal poles and topped them off with lovely balloon inside a balloon. We took them back to the superstore and put them inside the doors, they looked much better. We were also surprised to see that the balloons that we had put outside were still there, but we had wrapped them around the plants and buried the weights in the soil for extra support!

The moral of this story is, always use quality balloons, make sure that you know where the balloons are going and that they are appropriate for that situation. They then look fantastic and add to the occasion.

Corporate Hospitality and the Age of Austerity

Corporate Hospitality was one of the first casualties of the recession in 2008, BUT events are still being staged and now the initial panic is over, many organisations and companies are re entering the market as they realise that a good event can be a vital tool for boosting morale, generating publicity and obtaining new business.

It is true to say that the days of unlimited budgets and vanity projects have disappeared and indeed competition is greater than ever. However, this means that the events industry has to adapt to customer needs and offer innovation and value for money.

Undercutting the competition is not the answer, offering something impressive, practical and value for money is.

This is where balloons make their mark. Pound for pound there is no better decoration for filling space and adding the wow factor to your event.

If you would like to give your event the wow factor call me on 01709 789333

Christmas Decorations

Christmas decorations can range from simple baubles to elaborate sculptures of Santa, Candy Canes or Holly Wreaths. These can all be made out of innovative balloon sculptures.

Shopping Centres, Hotel Receptions and even your own home can be easily and cost effectivley transformed with our fantastic balloon displays that will have your clients and guests wondering: “How did they do that?”

If you want to know “How we did that” then call us on 01709 789333 or email us jacqui@tubcl.co.uk

Wedding Balloons

Many brides to be want to personalise their wedding so it reflects their taste and personality. What better way to do this than with carefully chosen and colour co ordinated balloons.

If your venue needs extra sparkle then there is no finer cost effective way of dressing an event than with beautiful designer balloons. Pound for pound they are the best value for money around. A typical wedding can cost as little as £150 but in all fairness an average wedding would cost around £300 if you are looking for the wow factor.

Romantic voile, ribbons and flowers can be incorporated into your designs to make your wedding day extra special.

We get lots of letters and calls from brides after their wedding thanking us for making their venue look fantastic. Here’s what one bride recently said:

“Hello Jacqui,

I just wanted to say a really big thank you for how beautiful you made my wedding reception look!

Thank you for all the hard work you put in. The room looked truly gorgeous so thank you”

Sarah B

If you would like us to help you achieve the wedding you really want then please call me on 01709 789333 for an informal chat or email me jacqui@tubcl.co.uk