Pack and Prepare for In-Person Balloon Training

Pack like a Boss for Balloon Training
Tips to make the most out of your investment!

It is never too early to prep and make the most out of your in-person balloon training experience.

*Make a checklist of everything you want to pack

Prepare to reduce distractions:

• Assign someone to answer and respond to your business phone and email.  Write a script for them to follow, with step by step details of the customer intake process you have.
• If you do not have a person who can answer clients calls, put a new phone message and email response that you are out of town at training to enhance the services you provide and will return messages __________. (Set a date you will return or “within 48 hours” and call during evening break. Set the deadline of when you plan to be able to get back with them).
• Let them know how to email or fill out your contact form to save the amount of time you need to spend on the phone. 
• Make a plan for family members or friends to take care of your kids or family while you are away.  Make sure if forms at school need to be filled out for someone new to pick up your child in case of emergency, that those are completed.
• Set a plan with your family or loved ones when you will communicate with them – will it be phone or text and the time frame.  I found that setting the expectation in advance that I would not be able to talk during the majority of my day helped. Depending on your time zone, having a morning chat before they head to work or school or nighttime routine will keep you connected to meet their needs around the event schedule.
• If you have events going on while you are away, print any paperwork you may need to follow up with your staff on break and evening, or before class in the morning.

Expand your network of balloon professionals:

• Find out where people are from you never know when someone may contact you for an event in another state or country and now you have someone to refer the job to.
• Build a network with other balloon professionals that you can reach out to when feeling frustrated, burnt out, or needing help.  Make an effort daily to meet atleast one new person and engage in conversation with them during a meal, break or while building balloons.
• Get a boost of energy during a time when burnout can easily happen.
• Be open to gaining knowledge.  Example there are multiple ways to frame and build balloon walls.  Learn as many different ways as possible so that you always have a plan B, C etc to fall back on depending on circumstances.
• our business to be able to  someone else. 
• Take photos with the people you are buidling balloons with, have your new balloon friends take photos of you inflating and building balloons to use in your marketing.
• Take photos of you in your logo shirt with the designs you build during the week.

You can order groceries to be delivered to the hotel or Door Dash etc. from the many local restaurants.  

What to Pack 

• Hearing Protection when inflation equipment running . If you are bothered by noise or would like to protect your hearing, bring ear plugs or noise canceling earmuffs/headset.
• Swimsuit for an evening swim.
• Sunglasses or hat/sunscreen if you plan to come early or stay after to enjoy the sun or sneak out during lunch break for some sunshine.
• Uber app on your phone with credit card attached for transportation out to eat or shopping.
• Positive Mental Attitude
• Be OPEN to looking at things from a different perspective. It’s easy to get stuck in the mindset of, “I’ve always done it this way”. Listen to take in the training and apply some new concepts to your business.
• CLOTHING (Pack like a Boss):
  
  • Your Business Logo clothing 
  • Jacket or sweater if you tend to get cold easily.   We often have the AC on during the event and some will be warm and others will be cold so dressing in layers is wise.
  • Closed-toed shoes are best during the week to protect your feet during group build.
  • Balloon Tshirts 
    
    

Other items to pack

• Check what the size and weight requirements are for suitcases from your airline.
• Put suitcases out at least a week in advance and start packing early so you are not rushed at the end. (The last week before a trip always seems to be crazy).
• Hotel and air reservation typed into calendar (printed out if needed)
• Delete photos from phone, tablet, and camera or purchase additional memory cards to have room for lots of photos!
• Pack business cards, BalloonTags.com tags, or electronic business card  to exchange and network.
• Bring a special case or zipper pouch to put others cards in as you collect them.
• Pack your POWER CORDS for all electronics (WBC 2012 Jani Blocker was nice enough to buy me a universal power cord when I left my laptop cord at home – not cheap!)
• Pack an extension cord with multiple 3 prong plugs or power strip if you need for all your electronics
• If you have backup power packs or batteries for your phone,  bring all you have since you spend full days away from a power plug!
• Hand held luggage scale you can purchase at Walmart or online helps from extra fees at check-in at your flight.
• Chap Stick
• Hand lotion
• At least 1 pair of scissors in your checked luggage. If you like to wear an apron during hands-on builds, bring it.
• Hand pump if you have one with name on it.
• Notebook. It’s nice to have extra pad of paper for notes.
• Pens – easy to lose a pen or run out of ink.
• Gum/Mints
• Vitamins. You will probably get a little less sleep than usual. Having an extra boost of vitamins starting the month before you come and during the event can help you feel your best.
• Pain reliever, allergy medicine, any medications you take.
• Travel cup  or bottle to stay hydrated during the day with your name on it.
• Travel Kleenex
• Nail Clippers and file. With all the balloon work you may break or chip a nail!
• An individual bottle of your favorite hand sanitizer (in checked luggage or sized for carry-on)
• Work out clothes if you would like to hit the hotel gym or sidewalks for a wake-up or end-of-the-day workout.
• FILES for the weeks events, if you are running crews while you are away and plan to be in touch with them. Email the information to yourself if you wish to review.
• If at all possible plan for a full 8 hours of sleep the night before your flight. Once you get to the event it is easy to lose track of time and be up in the lobby talking to a new friend til all hours of the night and morning!
• Water Bottle with name on it to stay hydrated
• Favorite granola bars, nuts, dried fruit etc. as many times you don’t take time to eat because you are visiting with people. Good to keep your energy level up.
• Leave room in your suitcase for shopping

TIPS While at Balloon Training

When you meet someone you do not know – take a photo of them holding their name tag (or business card)  by their face so you remember their name when you get home.

Get connected on Facebook and Instagram while you are there.

Eat meals with different people. It’s great to see old friends, but make some new ones too!

If you are not an outgoing person and have a hard time meeting new people, ask someone to introduce you to a few folks.

Let the media and  social know you are attending Industry Training!

• Send a press release out to local media prior to going to your training.  TV, Paper and Radio are all looking for positive news to share. 
• Post on Social media you are attending the event (let your customers know you are continuing your education.) 
• Friends and clients LOVE to see that you are investing in your business and fun photos of your travels keep people interested in your business!
• Post thank you messages, and send a note of thanks to the instructors that give you those ah-ha moments (without giving away the actual training you paid to learn).
• As you post photos in the future of jobs you land, or increased income from what you learn give a shout-out and tag the instructors and event.

I hope this gets you excited for your training. 
For information on where to find upcoming industry training go to BalloonCoach.com
or email 
Joette@ballooncoach.com

Your Partner in Success,

Joette Giardina, CBA

Mentor. Motivator. Speaker.

BalloonCoach.com