Float is always one of the highlights of the balloon calendar, and this year was no exception. The theme for 2022 was “Again, we rise”, and we certainly saw the party industry dust itself off and confidently step forward once again after a difficult few years.

This year Gemar was represented by the talented Alisson Vasconcelos and Gemar Ambassadors Irina Lobanova & Lia Leottau. The first day saw Alisson and Lia take to the stage with the only interactive workshops of the convention. These show stopping classes gave everyone a chance to get hands on and help to create the decorations for a show stopping beach party. Lia’s students worked on beautiful palm trees and corals, learning how to combine colours to great effect. Alisson’s class was full of great tips and techniques, focusing on building secure structures as they created an amazing tiki bar.

That evening everyone was invited to the Gemar Float Beach Party, which proved to be an astounding success. A team of 20 balloon artists had used 10,000 balloons to build a beach paradise, complete with 12 foot high waves, beach boards and (of course) the coral, palm trees and fabulous tiki bar. A collaboration with Anagram foils provided the perfect finishing touch. It was a truly amazing night, everyone partied the night away and collapsed into bed exhausted and ready for a good night’s sleep.

Excitement started to build over breakfast the next morning. Irina was preparing for her “Boho Dreams” workshop and had promised everyone a big surprise announcement. It came when Maria Bove, accompanied by Gemar Ambassador Yulys Charles, Irina and the whole Gemar USA team, introduced a brand new Gemar colour! Latte is the newest addition to the Natural range and, judging by the reaction, the audience simply couldn’t get enough of it.

Irina made fantastic use of this stunning new shade in her Boho Dreams sculpture and also incorporated another Natural shade, Olive Green. These subtle shades really do complement each other beautifully. Many of those attending the class shared their love of Irina’s work, saying they were big fans of her talent and skills and found her inspirational. We can’t help but agree.

Irina is not the only inspirational Ambassador though, Lia’s final class attracted so much attention that the room was packed and people had to be turned away! Incorporating stuffed animals and plants as well as balloons, Lia took a fresh approach and created decor for a gender reveal on a safari theme.

All in all, it was impossible to deny Gemar’s presence at Float. Six different Gemar vendors attended the showcase, which was full of positive energy and wonderful feedback. Everywhere you looked you saw the iconic “Gemar Loves U” carrier bags, filled with goodies after a successful shopping spree.

As the event drew to a close one thing was very clear. The party industry is back on its feet, with the passion and dedication for balloon art growing stronger every day. Gemar has been there through the rough times and will continue to be there during the good times. After all, who knows what extraordinary things we can achieve when we work to lift the moment together.

>> Pictures of the event <<