One website that lists every balloon event
Ever tried to pin down when the next big balloon industry training is coming up on the calendar, and ended up with fourteen tabs open? You are not alone. That exact frustration is what led Dori to build something our whole industry has quietly been needing.
We sat down at the International Balloon Convention to talk about two things she's been up to: a brand new resource that puts every balloon event in one place, and a certification that's finally making its way to the US.
Why This Matters Right Now
Our industry is growing fast. New artists are joining every month, and there are more trainings, retreats, conferences and virtual classes than ever. That's exciting... but it also means the good stuff is scattered across a dozen manufacturer and distributor websites. Finding it all shouldn't take a research project.
One Place for Every Balloon Event
Dori created balloonindustrycalendar.com, a free resource that pulls together training, classes, seminars and conferences from across the industry. She literally registered the domain mid-workshop after someone asked "when is Float next?" and nobody had a clean answer.
Here's what makes it work:
- It's independent, so it isn't tied to one brand or distributor
- Anyone can submit an event, from a huge conference to a tiny one-off virtual class
- You can search by format... in-person or virtual, decorator or twister, even by language
This is community over competition in action. Not the localized version we usually think about, but the whole industry banding together and saying we want this for us.
A New Certification Comes to the US
The other big news is the MBP, or Master Balloon Professional. It's a Sempertex certification that's been available internationally and is now being tested here at home. Dori was one of the first people in the US to take it.
If you did your CBA back in the day, this one feels different:
- No interview portion
- Prep videos provided in advance, so you know the techniques you'll likely face
- Organic designs are actually assessed now... something CBA famously skipped
What the Test Actually Looks Like
Testing runs about two and a half hours. You bring your own supplies and make a centerpiece and a personal creation of your choice in the first hour. Then they choose three random designs for you to build with balloons they provide. Expect sizing, spheres, cubes, linking and walls.
Dori's advice for anyone considering it: watch the videos, keep your pieces neat and clean and don't try something brand new on test day.
The Takeaway
Whether you're a newbie hunting for your first class or an OG ready to add a few letters after your name, both of these are worth knowing about. Bookmark the calendar, keep an eye on the certification and stay a lifelong learner.
Listen to the full conversation here!
