CBA @ the WBC!

Taking your CBA final assessment is a big step for many people. So how about taking it at the World Balloon Convention... that is exactly what 50 delegates from all over the World elected to do!

The day started very early with a hive of activity to prepare the room for the impending assessments. Candidates started to arrive bright and early... loaded up with 'goodies' in preparation to create their own personal centerpiece and expression bouquet designs.

After a short introduction and a briefing as to how the 4 hour assessment process would run from Chelsea Gaspard CBA, Pioneer Balloon Companies, Marketing Communications Director, it was finally time to start...

So what's involved in taking this final assessment?

Each candidate is required to complete the following:

1. One social expression bouquet of your own design.

The CBA room  FULL of balloons! 

2. One bouquet duplicated from a photo (materials provided).

3. One table centerpiece of your own design.

Here are some of the designs that were created on the day, unfortunately I do not know who made them... if you know, please tell me so that I may credit them - sue@suebowler.com

Kristen Mettlen CBA

'Ladybug Illusion' - Donna Hudson CBA

4. One Balloon Flower duplicated from a photo (materials provided). Instructions for the Balloon Flower can be found at “Instruction Sheets” on Qualatex.com or in the “QBN Balloon Deliveries & Bouquets” Kit.

5. A 5', air-filled, 5-balloon cluster Garland, using 11" balloons inflated to 10"-11" (materials provided).

6. A temporary knot and a permanent knot per the QBN curriculum (rope provided). 

7. Answer six questions from the curriculum and either demonstrate a mock balloon delivery sales phone call

or make a mock balloon delivery presentation during an assigned, 15-minute panel interview.

After 4 incredibly quick hours (how is it that time can just fly by) ... time was up and we had a room filled with some truly amazing designs and we started the judging process.

I would like to congratulate everyone listed below who passed their CBA exam on Wednesday 21st March 2012. You will never forget this day, and you should not forget this day, be happy and be proud, and know that all those who have taken their CBA exam in the past totally understand exactly how you felt both before and after those 4 hours! And of course, welcome to the 'CBA' family!

Manal Alzayani CBA, BLOOM - FANTASY, Bahrain

Tammy Bessette CBA, Party Town, Rhode Island, USA

Mary Bragg CBA, BeYond Balloons, Oklahoma, USA

John Brew CBA, We Like To Party!, Australia

Angela Cabrera CBA, Fiesta & Bridal Shop, Massachusetts, USA

Marco Antonio Cardenas Rodriguez CBA, Globos y Figuras, Mexico

Moraima Carrasquillo CBA, Gemelas Precious Balloons, Puerto Rico,USA

Lydia Cartagena CBA, Balloons For You Corporation, Puerto Rico

Nora Cisty CBA, Ideas con Globos, Argentina

Anthony Cook CBA, Anthony's Balloons, Illinois, USA

Tampilipe Corbelin CBA, Tampilipe, Switzerland

Angeles de Mendoza CBA, Globos y Sonrisas, Mexico

Normalinda Garza CBA, The Soiree Concierge,Texas, USA

Rosa Garza CBA, TULIOOS, Mexico

Rosa Gaytan CBA, RIE, Mexico

Tracy Hawes CBA, Balloon Empire & Floral Designs, Manitoba, Canada

Elaine D.Holmes CBA, Elegance in the Air & More, Georgia, USA

Donna Hudson CBA, One Stop Costume & Party Shoppe, Missouri, USA

Glenda Ellington CBA, Lufkin, Texas, USA

Jessica Jackson CBA, Arte Globos Producciones, Venezuela

Mary James CBA, The Balloonery, New York,USA

Silvia Klock CBA, Klock Balloons, Washington, USA

Janice Martin CBA, Party Town, Rhode Island, USA

Christina Martinez-Hatfield CBA, Party On Bounce Off, Texas, USA

Taulbee McJunkin CBA, Arizona's Balloon Artist, Arizona, USA

Kristen Mettlen CBA, Jubilee Event Decor and Balloon Creations, Colorado, USA

Edward Antonio Munoz Sojo CBA, El Genio de los Globos, Caracas, Venezuela

Brandon Nowell CBA, An Occasion Station, Inc. Texas USA

Juan Paniagua CBA, GlobalPak, Costa Rica

Marlys Parra CBA

Amanda Pierce CBA, Custom Baskets & Balloons, Florida, USA

Maria Pinto CBA, Cocoglobo Balloons, British Columbia, Canada

Danielle Popovich CBA, POPO's Parties, USA

Jose Quiles CBA, JL Party Design, Puerto Rico

Luanne Richards CBA, Mickey's Balloons, New York, USA

Scott Richards CBA, Mickeys Balloons, New York, USA

Xiomara Rios CBA, Fashion Balloons , Puerto Rico

Malachi Robinson CBA, Bunch of Balloons, New York, USA

Kathryn Seguin CBA, Balloonatiks, Texas USA

Bernadette Sneyers CBA, Antwerpen, Belgium 

Shanta Speller CBA, Bunch of Balloons, Jackson Heights, New York USA

Annabelle Tan CBA, One-stop No.1 Entertainment,Singapore

Islaine Tanahashi CBA, Joy Company, Japan

Calvin Teo CBA, One-Stop No.1 Entertainment Singapore

Limary Traverzo CBA, JL Party Design, Puerto Rico

Amy Veltman CBA, It's My Party, Indiana, USA

Teresa Ward CBA, Meadowview Gardens, Missouri USA

Linda William CBA, Linda's Balloon Twisting, North Carolina, USA


Does everyone always pass? Sadly no, there are many reason's why someone my not achieve a score of 80% or more on the day. I try and relate this to a driving test, sometimes you can pass on your first attempt and for others it may take another go, and having done it once the second time seems so much easier!

For anyone who is not sure what a CBA is....

What is a Certified Balloon Artist (CBA)?

CBAs are people who work for a Qualatex Balloon Network (QBN) Business Member and have successfully completed the program's online tests, as well as the CBA Practical Examination to demonstrate their knowledge of the QBN curriculum and ability to produce quality balloon work.

Technically, a CBA is a balloon professional who has:

• Taken and passed (with a score of 80% or above) all of the QBN tests.
• Taken and passed (with a score of 80% or above) the CBA Practical Exam—a timed, 4-hour, hands-on exam designed to confirm knowledge of the QBN curriculum.

Professionals who earn the CBA designation have chosen to grow their businesses through networking with other balloon professionals, continuing their education, giving and receiving referrals, and taking advantage of the marketing support available to CBAs.

There are currently more than 2,500 Certified Balloon Artist professionals worldwide.

A finally a huge thank you and congratulations to Rebecca Tjarks who coordinated the whole CBA process!

If you would like to learn more about this program, please click here

If you are in the process of preparing to take your CBA final assessment, don't forget to check out one of my earlier blogs:

A few tips for those who are ready to take the CBA Practical Exam... I promise there is nothing to be nervous about!

See you soon!
Sue
www.suebowler.com