About Us
American Balloon has been at the forefront of the sport since 1970. Early on, we competed in balloon races as they were established. Later, we organized and managed: The Bix Biederbecke Jazz Memorial Reunion Balloon Race in Davenport, Iowa; The Great Lake Michigan Balloon Race (over Lake Michigan) for the city of Chicago; and a 100 balloon event, (50 balloons, pilots and crew from the Midwest and 50 from California), for the out-going El Presidente of Mexico and millions of spectators. We also competed in the Kool Professional Hot Air Balloon Race Series and managed a series of races for Coca-Cola in the South and Southwest.
In sports ballooning we have:
1. Treated over ten thousand people to the excitement, fun and adventure of flying in a hot air balloon;
2. Trained over fifty people in the art and skill of ballooning who went on to become FAA Licensed Balloon Pilots;
3. Exposed millions of people (as well as a considerable number of dogs, cats and other creatures) to the sight and beauty of a balloon in the sky;
4. And at the end of every flight, in the time-honored tradition of the early Aeronauts, shared champagne (or "pretend" champagne), with every willing landowner, curious spectator and, of course, our passengers and their guests.
For a birthday, wedding, anniversary or any special occasion, give your loved ones the gift they'll remember for a lifetime. Treat them to a Champagne Balloon Voyage!
On a corporate level, we helped create and fly flight programs for:
1. Thermogas, a large Midwest propane company
2. Bandag, an international retread tire company
3. Happy Joe's Ice Cream & Pizza Parlors, a major Midewest restaurant franchiser
4. The First National Bank of the Quad Cities in Moline, Illinois
5. And Orville Redenbacher's Gourmet Popping Corn (Yes, Virginia, it was shaped like a piece of popped corn).
There's no faster way for your company to gain attention than to launch a custom-designed, balloon. Hundreds of companies around the world know how powerful it is to add a dynamic balloon to a conventional marketing program. A custom balloon can turn every promotional opportunity into an exciting, one-of-a-kind event. See our Bios page, then contact us for consultation on your ideas.