Live from The International Balloon Convention

I just got back from the Sempertex International Balloon Convention, and I couldn’t wait to record my thoughts while everything was still fresh.

This was my first Sempertex event, and I can honestly say: it was one of the easiest, most energizing conventions I’ve ever attended—and I’ve been to a lot over the years.

If you've ever wondered whether a balloon convention is worth the time and money, let me walk you through what this one was like.

What can go wrong with conventions

Let’s be real: attending a convention means taking time off from your business, spending money on travel, and hoping it’s actually worth it. And if you’re new? It can feel intimidating—like everyone already knows each other, and you’re the odd one out.

I’ve been to events where the schedule was confusing, the vibe was cliquey, and I left feeling more exhausted than inspired. So I know that hesitation.

The atmosphere of the International Balloon Convention

This was not that.

From the moment I arrived in Orlando, everything just felt… easy. The hotel, the registration, the people, the classes—it was all thoughtfully planned and stress-free.

We were split into small color-coded groups and assigned a class schedule. No decisions, no overlap, no stress about picking one session over another. I loved moving through the week with my “blue group”—I made friends, we learned together, and we had so much fun.

The classes were the perfect mix of hands-on and demonstration. Whether you wanted to dive in or observe, you had the flexibility to do what worked for you. I even tried some twisting and distorting techniques that I rarely do!

Why I’d Recommend This Convention

What made this event stand out? A number of things:

• The launch of two new Sempertex colors (with matching shirts and decor!)

• An incredible, international lineup of instructors

• Three fun parties (including inflatable animal costumes!)

• All meals included

• A vendor room full of cool tools, new inflators, and even latex dog toys

• A transparent Q&A panel with Sempertex leadership

• Certification testing for MBP (Master Balloon Professional)

And the best part? I didn’t leave feeling burned out. I left excited, refreshed, and full of new ideas—not to mention a massive backlog of interviews I recorded live that will carry us well into next year.

If you're on the fence about attending a balloon convention—especially if you're new—I can't recommend this type of event enough.

Listen to the full recap here!