BWI Grows Bigger and Better Than Ever!

Has a new name…..

We are now:

Balloons Everywhere and Balloon Wholesalers International are very excited to announce a merger that has resulted in one of the world’s largest balloon companies, the new Balloons Everywhere.

The merger, which took place in early October, brought together the two companies that together have over 55 years of excellence in the balloon business. Balloons Everywhere is now the country’s leading wholesale distributor of the best foil and latex balloons in the world.

Offering thousands of colors and styles as well as superior customer service, the new Balloons Everywhere will continue to grow as an industry favorite and one of the world’s largest balloon companies.

“Balloons Everywhere is a recognized leader in the use of technology to provide superior category management for its customers,” Harry Palmer, President of Balloons Everywhere said. “With the combination of brick and mortar facilities and cutting-edge technology, we deliver more value, more quickly and with better prices.”

The company now distributes its high-quality products using the latest technology at its distribution centers in Fresno, California and Fairhope, Alabama. Balloons Everywhere serves many of the nation’s top retailers: supermarkets, florists, gift shops, party stores, arts and crafts stores, special event planners and more.

“We have been the best-in-class for many years,” Terri Adishian, Vice-President of Balloons Everywhere said. “By joining forces we will provide our customers with even better service at better prices, with faster delivery coast-to-coast from two strategically located distribution centers and online.”

As you can see, we merged our logos for a new and fresh look.  And all our staff is here to serve you.  We are really the same company, only better.

You can still contact us at 1-800-225-5294.  

Birthday Balloons Take The Cake!

The birthday industry is a $10 billion dollar industry!

More people are born in August than any other month.  About 21 million Americans have birthdays in August.  July ranks number 2 in birthdays, February is last.

http://www.bwi-balloons.com/recipe_view.html?recipe_id=328&category_id=4

• According to Balloon Wholesaler International (BWI) statistics, about 62% of everyday balloon occasions sold are for birthdays
• About 5 million people celebrate birthdays in the U.S. each week (an average of 700,000 birthdays occur each day)
• For Americans, birthdays are the #1 reason to party
• More than one-fourth of all birthday balloons are given to friends
• Specific balloons mark children’s first birthday, as well as milestones including 15^th, 16^th, 18^th, 21^st, 30^th, 40^th, 50^th, 60^th, 70^th  and 80^th.

**11,000 Baby Boomers turn 50 each day, and will for the next 10 years (there are 76 million Baby Boomers

**When attending milestone birthday celebrations, guests often are told not to bring a gift, but they still want to bring a little something. Balloons are a perfect solution to bring a special sentiment and joy to the party.

• BWI offers special birthday styles including; Jumbo Balloons, Special Shape Balloons and Sing-A-Tune ® Balloons that measure 28 inches and have powerful sound quality.

• 50% of all birthday balloons sold are popular kid’s licensed balloons feature favorite licensed characters including Spider-Man, Disney Princesses, Tinkerbell, Batman, Hello Kitty, SpongeBob, Mickey Mouse and many more.

Go Where No Other Weight Has Gone Before!

Join the Band-O-wagon

Responsible retailers know the importance of anchoring all foil balloons.  If foil balloons are caught in power lines they can cause annoying power disruptions.  Retailers should not only weight the balloons, but educate their customers of the proper disposal of balloons.  Release the helium by cutting the balloon and throw it in the trash.

BWI offers a large selection of weights.  One of America’s favorite weights are the Band-O Clip Weights (BWI #32464).

The Band-O Clip weights weigh 8 gram weights and will anchor an 18” foil or one 9” latex helium-filled balloon.  The unique quick and easy tie feature saves time.  Simply slide the balloon ribbon into the “hook” at the top of the weight and snap the lock into place.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fqIGx35v8Q

The wider opening allows you to clip it in places where clothes pin style weights will not work such as a child’s arm, baskets and store displays (allowing Band-O’s to go where no other weights can go).

Expanding your weight selection allows you more versatility in anchoring balloons. Band-O Clips are made of plastic and come in assorted colors.  Children love these weights.  When they are tired of carrying the balloon, they can easily remove the Band-O from their arm and the balloon will not float away.

During the month of July 2011, BWI is offering the Band-O Clips at a special sale price.  Now is the time join the Band-O-wagon and stock up.

Something to Sing About!

BWI is making some noise about Sing-A-Tune® Balloons!  Anagram International, Inc. has redesigned the balloons and the packaging.  BWI sells Sing-A-Tune® Balloons for almost every occasion.  The newly designed packaging taps into the potential of more sales with a bold graphic burst and incorporating a bigger, brighter call-out into the new product design.  It also showcases a “TRY ME” button which encourages customers to engage with the product even when it’s still in the package.  The song lyrics are conveniently printed on the back of the package.

(Package Back)                                                                     (Front)

Anagram International has amp’ed up the line with new provocative designs. http://www.bwi-balloons.com/products.html?category_id=92&nav_id=227

In addition to the fresh designs, there is a new creative display merchandiser with a fun musical format that has struck a chord with customers and retailers. The rack will be available from BWI at no charge, during the month of July 2011, with the purchase of 60 assorted Sing-A-Tune® Balloon designs.

http://www.bwi-balloons.com/balloons/0/0/10070/sing-a-tune_assortment_with_rack.html

 

New Trends Lead to New Opportunities

William and Kate’s wedding received lots of attention and their contemporary styles are bringing new trends for the wedding planners to embrace.

First Dance

Many brides and grooms are abandoning tearful slow songs for the traditional first dance for more upbeat and choreographed dance moves.  You can find plenty of examples on YouTube.com.  So, why not make the first dance even more memorable with a balloon drop or explosion complete with confetti or petals for extra flair.

    

 Confetti Cannon                    Exploder Kit                 Balloon Drop Tubes

Post-Reception Parties

Many newlyweds are planning an after-hours celebration.  Of course, dressing up the post-reception party with balloon décor will inspire guests to keep the party going.

                                   

Wedding Party Brunch (and Showers)

Bouquets, arches, topiaries and columns make picture perfect photo backdrops for these events.  Buffet centerpieces add a festive touch to the spread of party food.

                                    

Thank You Bouquets

Suggest the bride and groom send bouquets to their parents after the wedding for a fun way to show their gratitude for the wonderful celebration.

                                 

Welcome Gifts

Balloon arrangements attached to gift baskets are warming welcome gifts in the out-of-town guest’s hotel rooms.

                                      

Source

All products and designs can be found at: http://www.bwi-balloons.com/index.html

Celebrate 4th of July With a Bang!

Alternatives to fireworks!

Satisfying loud and sparkly, confetti-filled balloons are a fun alternative to fireworks. And unlike the real ones, these can be set off by kids — indoors!

To make:

1. Open the end of a 11” round balloon and put the small end of a funnel into it.

2. Pour the ¼ cup of paper confetti into the large end of the funnel so that it goes inside the balloon.

3.    Pour the ¼ cup of paper confetti into the large end of the funnel so that it goes inside the balloon.

4.    Remove the balloon from the end of the funnel. Pinch the end shut and shake the balloon lightly to get the confetti to the bottom of the balloon.

5. Hold the balloon away from your face and pop it with a toothpick.

These can be used for any celebration including 4^th of July, New Year’s, Graduation, or Birthday.

Safety note: Be sure to supervise; kids under 8 should never handle un-inflated balloons or broken balloon pieces.

 

Make it Themetastic!

There’s no better way to add fun to a party than by giving it a theme!  You wouldn’t think so, but it can also help to make your party planning a breeze.

Sometimes, walking into a party supply store can be overwhelming…dinosaurs, clowns and princesses, oh my!  By selecting a theme early on, you can skip the confusion and head straight for what you need.

A great place to start when trying to select a theme is in the Theme section of our Balloons Solutions 2011-2012 catalog.  From Sweets to Safaris, we’ve got the balloons and décor all worked out.  Just add a little imagination in the food and entertainment department and presto, you’ve got a party that will head straight to the top of the charts.

Need a little help getting started?  Here are a few quick and easy ideas…

Flower Power

•   Set the tone with music by making a soundtrack of hits from the 60s and 70s.

•    A quick search online will lead you to many groovy sites such as

www.groovologist.com

• Use food color to turn ordinary cupcakes into tye-dyed treats!

•  Create interactive décor…rent a projector and a copy of the original Woodstock

documentary for your guests to enjoy

It’s a Jungle Out There

•  Get your guests in gear…handout binoculars and pith hats from BWI to set the scene.

•  Add fun to your food table…name your food items to match your theme.

Jungle Burgers (hamburgers)

Safari Sandwiches (peanut butter and banana sandwiches)

French Flies (French fries)

Toad-slaw (coleslaw)

Fire Ants (chocolate covered raisins)

Nile River Water (add green food color to lemon-lime soda)

•  Play a game of animal charades!  Glue pictures of animals onto small index

cards and place cards in a bag or upside down in a pile.  Each person takes a

turn picking a card and acting out the animal that is on the card without using

any words.  The more uncommon the animal the better!

Rock Star

•  Get your guests ready to rock! Put down a red carpet and give out boas and

air-inflated guitars as guests walk through the door.

•  Make a stage for a Karaoke contest!  Use a white sheet for a background and
use music note lights to and lots of balloons to dress it up.  Microphone stands
or any musical instruments you have will also add to the effect.

•  Serve it up concert style!  A menu of French fries in stadium cups, popcorn in
bags, pizza slices and nachos will be perfect for this type of party.

Seeing Spots?

Polka dots are everywhere. Whether you are shopping for clothes, comforters, or cards, you are definitely seeing spots. Polka dots add a festive note to almost any retail item, and your balloons are no exception! Luckily, BWI has all your polka dot needs covered.

Our Big Polka Dot Latex Assortments are an easy way to add flair to any bouquet. Not only do we have an assortment containing bright, eye-catching colors, such as Wild Berry and Purple Violet, we also have a softer assortment, which comes with Spring Lilac, Rose, Lime Green, and Pale Blue balloons, perfect for use in baby shower bouquets! Need a custom color? Simply stuff any solid color latex balloon into our Diamond Clear Polka Dot latex, and voila! You’ve created polka dot décor to match any customer’s color scheme. Plus, it has never been easier to create awe-inspiring arches with the new Polka Dot Link-O-Loons! This 5 color assortment is a must for any decorator!There’s no need to limit your spunky spots to latex bouquets. The new 2011-2012 Balloon Solutions catalog is full of polka   dot foils and coordinating shapes for long-lasting foil bouquet sales. For example, pair the 23” Polka Dot Present Shape (#16724) with the 18” Happy Birthday Polka Dot foils (#1898) and solid color 18” rounds to create a fun and funky birthday bouquet, sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face! The possibilities with polka dots are limitless!    

Find more polka dot products at http://www.bwi-balloons.com/products.html?front=true&search=polka+dot&x=0&y=0

Celebrate Our Heros & She-Roes!

Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday in May to commemorate U.S. men and women who died in military service for their country. It began first to honor Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War in 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery . It’s now a time to honor and remember all the heroes and she-roes who fought for freedom and laid down their lives to preserve our freedom. If you know someone whose friend/ family member has performed this ultimate act of heroism, wish him/ her with a special message on Memorial Day or gather with friends and family and reach out with a warm wish.

BWI has oodles of balloons and ideas to get you started in planning a tribute with Memorial Day greetings and décor. There are plenty of local events that you can assist in recognizing heroes and she-roes of wars i.e. parades, picnics, memorial services, etc. Check with your local government and the local VFW for information on events in your community.

Photo courtesy of Pioneer Balloon Co.

Follow this link for the design recipe:

http://www.bwi-balloons.com/recipe_view.html?recipe_id=265&category_id=15

© Balloon Wholesalers International. All rights reserved.

Follow this link for the design recipe.

http://www.bwi-balloons.com/recipe_view.html?recipe_id=70&category_id=15

Find more ideas and products at:  http://www.bwi-balloons.com/index.html

The “Secret Ingredient” That Adds Value

What do your customers want to buy when making a purchase?

Plain and simple:  VALUE

What is the “secret ingredient” that adds VALUE? 

The best way to sell VALUE is to start by asking questions.

Customers call all the time to ask “how much are your balloons or flowers?”  Before answering with pricing, begin with the “Who, Where & Why” questions:

•    What is the occasion, or which anniversary (birthday), etc. is this?

•    Where will these be delivered?  Is there a special event, at the office, at a restaurant, etc.

•    Who will be receiving the arrangement?  How old, what are her/his interests, favorite colors, profession, etc. 

Once you have a good understanding of “Who, Where & Why”, you can make suggestions that will be perfect for the customer.  Then present a delightful description and an explanation of the arrangement and of how the gift will be appreciated. Help your customer visualize the arrangement as well as the recipient’s joy. Create scripts to explain your arrangements. Be sure to give your arrangements a snappy name and use attention-grabbing adjectives to describe the arrangement.  Don’t forget to paint the picture, with words, of how it will be received and the recipient’s reaction to the gift (that’s the “secret ingredient” of how you add VALUE):   

Your friend would probably love the “Fun at Forty” Birthday arrangement.  It includes a number of jumbo crystal clear balloons filled with bright colorful gumball balloons. It will feature several foil birthday balloons in varying shapes and sizes, including a huge number “40” balloon.  It will shout fun and excitement.  Imagine the happiness of your friend and her/his co-workers when they see the festive gift you sent.  The room will be filled with smiles and joy.  

You can find the recipe for this arrangement at: http://www.bwi-balloons.com/recipe_view.html?recipe_id=386&category_id=4   .  

The precious “Peek-A-Boo Monkey” arrangement includes latex balloons in the shape of adorable pacifiers.  It is accented with trendy polka dot pale blue and lime green balloons and is topped with a delightful monkey peeking out that says “It’s a Boy”.  The cute arrangement will charm mom and bring smiles and joy to her and her visitors.       

You can find the recipe for this arrangement at http://www.bwiballoons.com/recipe_view.html?recipe_id=384&category_id=2 

Once you have described the arrangement you can ask if this is what the customer is looking for, if not offer other suggestions.  If this appeals to the customer you can make the sale by asking “When and How” questions. The price will become secondary to your customer because you have created value.  The recipient’s delight in receiving the gift is “priceless” and the “secret ingredient” to adding VALUE.