Dear IBA Member,

We all face a challenging economy and a changing business landscape. Many of you share the observation that we have far more to gain by working together and building a bigger industry and larger market for our products and services than we do by aggressively competing in isolation of everyone else.

Former President Elissa Mast did a superb job in focusing the IBA on its foundation, specifically on organizing and energizing active committees that were better positioned to produce work that is the normal function of an industry association. It’s my fervent desire to continue the same strategy and to grow support for our industry association as we do more for the industry collectively and thus help our individual businesses.

In talking with past members about renewing or with other prominent businesses that have not previously been a member about joining there is one question that comes up over and over again, what is the business value of IBA to me?

IBA provides value to its members through three primary methods.

Collaboration 

First it offers the opportunity to collaborate and produce work that is beneficial to the entire industry. For example, the Marketing Committee has produced the Bring Balloons campaign to drive the sale of balloons at the retail level and is now working to continue to build the support for the campaign. The Education Committee put together a series of resources for everyone in the industry to share and is now working on improving the entry for balloons in Wikipedia. It is often difficult to find an independent platform for competitors and industry associates at different levels of the supply chain to work on projects in cooperative way. The platform of the IBA and an independent industry association can be replicated through any other means.

Coordination

Secondly, IBA coordinates our efforts when our industry needs to band together and address critical issues facing the industry. The IBA was actively involved in sharing information and bringing together different industry members during the recent effort in California to enact aggressive legislation to restrict or even ban the sale of balloons. During this campaign, we coordinated with the Balloon Council who was taking the lead on fighting the legislation. We are able to take not only the work product that is produced in our committees and share it, but also to share work that is produced by other organizations.

Communication

Thirdly, IBA provides an open and neutral platform for us to communicate across the channel as well as vertically. The established communication channels that the IBA possesses means that we can get information out to all levels in our industry faster and achieve higher levels of penetration than would be possible in its absence. Our newsletter goes out free of charge to more than twenty-five hundred individuals and is widely read. We hold industry update meetings at key tradeshows and conferences and actively participate in many industry conventions and educational events.

This ability to coordinate our efforts means that we can more effectively work together when our interests are aligned. Today, more than ever, we need to find ways to help one another and build a bigger and stronger balloon industry. Please review the attached list of committees and let me know if you or someone at your firm is interested in contributing and advising. Please also continue to share your honest feedback on the value of the IBA and what we are doing.

Best regards,

Tim Vlamis

Airgas Announces New Business Focusing on Retail Merchants
Airgas, Inc. announced the formation of Airgas Retail Solutions, a new business dedicated to meeting the product and service needs of businesses serving retail customers. Based in St. Petersburg, FL, the new business was formed from the acquisition of S.K.I.L. Enterprises, Inc., a leading nationwide service-oriented helium distributor, and other regional helium distributors over the past year.
"Airgas' acquisition of S.K.I.L. Enterprises and the formation of Airgas Retail Solutions is a clear indication of our commitment to meeting the unique needs of the retail market," said Andrea Pichardo, Airgas Retail Solutions Vice President of Sales and former S.K.I.L. Enterprises president. "Our business model is based on reliable, personal service, whether we're working with the corner grocer, the local florist, a restaurant or a large national chain. We specialize in lower volumes of product to many different retail locations."
According to Pichardo, "personal service" includes prompt, reliable delivery of products such as helium for balloon programs; carbon dioxide for carbonated beverage service; gas mixtures for daught beer; nitrogen for tire filling; welding and cutting gases, welding equipment and filler metals, and automotive refrigerants for auto servie centers; dry ice for grocers and safety products and supplies for a variety of businesses. 
Airgas Retail Solutions currently serfves more than 60,000 rerail businesses. For more information, call 877-717-4540 or visit www.airgasretail.com.

Pioneer® Balloon Company and Northstar Balloons Announce Strategic Alliance to Exploit New Balloon Making Technology
Today Pioneer Balloon Company and Northstar Balloons LLC announced a strategic alliance under which the companies will work together to bring balloons utilizing Northstar’s new MicroSeal™ balloon-making technology to customers throughout the world.
Pioneer is now shipping new shaped balloons utilizing the technology as part of its Valentine’s Day Collection and its new Qualatex® Diamond Expressions™ lines. The designs all feature contemporary graphics and are available from Qualatex® distributors. The companies have planned an aggressive schedule of new shaped, everyday designs in the weeks and months ahead. Northstar Balloons was founded by Garry, Nico, and Nina Kieves. Garry Kieves, who also founded Anagram International, is best known as the inventor of the self-sealing valve and numerous other balloon patents.

Hollywood Ribbon Industries announces

Gabriel DeAnda joins the company as Balloon and Seasonal Manager.

 Los Angeles, California – Hollywood Ribbon Industries announces the hiring of

Gabriel DeAnda as manager of Balloon Wholesalers, Party Stores, and seasonal accounts.  In his new position, Gabe will work with Hollywood Ribbon customers to increase sales.  Gabe is a seasoned veteran in the balloon industry, having most recently worked for Mayflower Distributing in Garden Grove, California and All-American Balloons in Santa Ana, California.

For more information, please contact Gregg Fresonke, Director of Marketing and Sales