Cups made of corn - completely compostable so your party can save the planet! GREAT idea. http://ping.fm/cCKnZ

Waste happens everywhere so why leave recycling at home? http://ping.fm/dmPg9

Experts worry that the recovery may be weak, stymied by consumers’ reluctance to spend. The poor get poorer and the rich feel poor

Virtual Tote - upload 4 files/links 2 repository, then send coded txt msg & gain access 2 files http://ping.fm/A7tUs

SBC Update Weekend Edition of Today Show will be airing SBC interviews August 27, tentative schedule. See the show host in a balloon dress!

SBC Fashion Show-subdued crowd. Maybe just overwhelmed by talent of designers and their models or we're all just too tired!!

SBC Fashion Show - beautiful dresses, lots of detail work. Winners-it's a tie! Rie Hosokai & Sofie Vandewyer. Congrats to both.beautiful job

SBC Day 1 Tip-Bidou threads mono line up Link O Loon column. Start LOL column then tie mono line into each pair of balloons as u go up

SBC Tips Day1 Eduardo Seiti 660's make great wall linked together

SBC Tips Day1 Eduardo Seiti, excellent use of 660's made tube or as chandelier, cake or top hat.

SBC Tips Day1 Bidou uses water balloon weights double stuffed and always in groups of three. Much more stable than just one

SBC Tips Day1 Jean Eddy, like Burger King, "Would U like fries w/ that?" "Would you like me to light that 4 you?" Great way to upsell lights

QBN@SBC Q&A Claims World Balloon Convention will be best EVER! Sees US as leader in convention events. Needed something new.

QBN@SBC Interesting session. Almost as many Qualatex employees as attendees, but was informative event.

QBN@SBC Q&A 30,000 piece order to run special color (16" met. yellow, grey, truer turquoise, etc.)

QBN@SBC Q&A New bubble balloons packaged in a four pack with longer necks to link together easier. No black color.

QBN@SBC Q&A New bubble balloons coming next week - 10 Solid colors. Not recommended use in over 100 degree heat. 15" round bubble

QBN@SBC Q&A Asked about 6" Geo Donuts. They said possible as a one time run if many people band together to place large order (30,000 pcs.)

QBN@SBC Ted & Betty Vlamis explained black latex is toughest latex to make. Coloring is very difficult to get right.

QBN@SBC Ted Vlamis explains coloring in balloons is inorganic & fights w/ organic latex material. The more coloring the stiffer the balloon

QBN@SBC Ted Vlamis explains color in balloons is not organic like the latex. "We fudge it a little bit" with the "all natural" label

QBN@SBC World Balloon Convention Apr. 15-18 2010, Dallas. Special bonus Tour of Qualtatex plant in Dallas.

QBN@SBC Qualatex added more colors & sizes. Sees bubble balloons as their biggest additions. Considers them new category of balloon. Do you?

QBN@SBC Moment of silcene for Linda Bruce

QBN@SeBC New US gov't labeling requirements means if repackaging you too must re-label. Can take wording right from Pioneer bags

QBN@SBC Pioneer pledges to lead PR program to use balloons properly

QBN@SBC Best Balloon Practices will now be Smart Balloon Practices 4 legal compliance, marketing, proper handling espc. in California

QBN@SBC 13 new CBA's. Funny, nobody failed. Hmm.

Made it to Vegas. It's hot here as always...and the weather is too!! Booth setup later. Border Grill at Manadalay Bay-FANTASTIC!!

Waiting for Vegas

So this is it, this is how we get treated.

Check in at Continental.com. Get a boarding pass, but wait!! No seat assignment. Uh Oh.

Call Continental FIVE TIMES!!! We're booked with NO SEATS!! Need to show up 2 hours to 2 1/2 hours early to maybe get a seat. 2 hours on the phone to find that out. Three hours of sleep, rush to the airport, show up two hours early, place is mobbed. Get to counter - STILL NO SEAT!! Go to the gate (hurry up now) and guess what? NOBODY'S THERE!!

Wait another 20 minutes and they have overbooked a bigger plane, changed to a much smaller plane and loads of very "happy" people are being told they can't fly. Now there are four agents at the gate getting yelled at. FUN!!

And then they find us two seats - WHAT?? On the next flight at 1PM. Now we've been here since 6:50 AM.

Don't you just love flying??

Oh, and by the way, if you want to complain, Continental Customer Care is only open during the day. So while most of these issues are happening there is no one you can really talk to about it.

Later!! I hope :-)

So much for getting to Las Vegas early to relax a little before "Camp" begins for us.

To paraphrase the words of some Mad Man in the 60's, "Is this any way to run an airline? You bet it isn't!!"

Sitting in airport, bumped to Vegas. Losing half day. So much for early arrival to be ready!!

Always killing the arts first. Here's how and why http://ping.fm/A3dR5

"Let balloons rise to the occasion as a simple yet stylish way to fill a big space. The secret to a grown-up look? A simple color palette. Attach them to ribbons to make garlands for the ceiling."
saith Martha Stewart!

How to guarantee productive conversation and learning at banquet rounds http://ping.fm/Etmnv

Summer Balloon Camp Las Vegas - Andy and I will be tweeting and blogging all next week. Check in to see what we're seeing.

Don't say "tablecloth" anywhere near these patterned tables and chairs, offered for rent by Taylor Creative http://ping.fm/D5CuJ

Legislation Could Block Government Discrimination Against Resort Destinations. http://ping.fm/obPHL

Follow JetBlue on twitter for special discounts Today, NY to Nantucket = $8.00!!

Got customers that aren't worth your time and business? Write them a "we'll miss you" letter.