FLOAT Contests

Theme: “Ducks”

Design Medium: Table Centerpiece

OK, you might not think of ducks when it comes to table centerpieces, but in the July “Frequent FLOATEE” challenge you’d best find a way!

This time around, our monthly design challenge offers up a truly unique set of conditions; create a table centerpiece focused on or including….ducks….yep….ducks….

Here are the contest rules:

1. Anyone in the professional balloon world can enter this contest; unlike the FLOATEE Awards at the FLOAT Convention, there is no requirement of past involvement in FLOAT or FLOAT’s support events order to enter. However, sponsors and that were part of FLOAT 2024 are ineligible to enter, as well as anyone who served as an official member of the FLOAT 2024 crew. FLOAT faculty members ARE eligible to enter as long as they are not salaried employees of sponsors or vendors from FLOAT 2024.

2. There is no charge for anyone to enter this contest, but with that in mind, contestants are limited to ONE entry and one entry only. Anyone submitting multiple designs will be disqualified, so please put your focus into one piece.

3. While only one entry is permitted, contestants may submit as many as five (5) images of the same piece, in order to show different angles or aspects of the design.

4. All entries MUST be received by no later than July 26th, 2024, in order to be eligible. However, there is no timeline requirement for the creation of your entry, so designs or creations that were made before July 1st, 2024, may be submitted without penalty.

5. Submitted entries should be free of any company branding on them, nor should they include any images of people who may be recognized by the judging panel. If an entrant wants only branded versions of their photos posted, they should consider sending two versions of the entry photos, one with branding that we may post and one without for the judging process.

6. Entries must be submitted to [email protected] on or before July 26th, 2024. FLOAT cannot and will not allow for any late entries, including for reasons such as internet outages, heavy work schedules, travel plans and the like. Clients don’t accept your decor the day after their event, do they? Neither do we…

7. Entries may not use any copyrighted or trademarked designs, concepts or images without expressed written permission. This includes the use of licensed characters, corporation logos and in this case, school logos that are not part of licensed products and the like. The exception to this is the use of licensed products used in the design; because such permission is issued through the purchase of a licensed balloon or item, that would be allowed. Anyone wishing to create a copyrighted, trademarked or owned design or concept must submit written approval for such use on or before July 26th, 2024, in order for it to be accepted.

8. In this case and for the sake of this competition, a “centerpiece” is defined as a balloon decor creation designed for people to decorate the center of a table, whether it’s intended for food, gifts or otherwise. Centerpiece footprints are limited to no larger than 36”, so organic table runner concepts are not permitted in this competition.

9. All entries must adhere to the design theme of “ducks.” This means that a bird breed of duck or ducks must somehow be incorporated into the design submitted. Entries turned in that fail to follow the theme will be disqualified.

10. Please note that the focus of this contest is on the design of the centerpiece. While entrants may include supplemental balloon work as part of the background or overall presentation of the design, the centerpiece element is considered the most important part of the entry and that aspect is what will ultimately be judged.

11. There is no rule against using pre-fabricated kits or other framed concepts that already exist in the event world to be used with your centerpiece design.

12. Anyone submitting an entry in this contest agrees to allow FLOAT the right to add their information to our general email list as well as gives us permission to post photos of their work for marketing purposes.

13. Designs will be judged based on cleanliness, originality and overall composition. In this case with three prizes eligible, FLOAT management will determine the top five (5) finalists. Then a panel of five (5) anonymous judges will determine which of the top five finalists are declared first, second and third.

14. Entries will only be judged on the quality of the work completed. Any supplemental content or “back stories” pertaining to the design where the design needs to be explained somehow will be disregarded for this contest.

15. Three (3) prizes will be awarded in total:
First Place – $150 credit line with MSR Wholesale Balloons
Second Place – $100 credit line with MSR Wholesale Balloons
Third Place – $50 credit line with MSR Wholesale Balloons

All values are in US dollars. Credits are for items sold by MSR Wholesale Balloons, and is not eligible for use on shipping charges, taxes, special orders or anything other than regularly stocked merchandise.

16. All prizes have been provided by MSR Wholesale Balloons. No substitutions for prizes will be permitted, including cash options. All prize collection is between MSR Wholesale Balloons and the winners of the challenge. FLOAT will not be held responsible for any issues between the winners of this challenge and MSR Wholesale Balloons should any arise.

Any additional questions should be directed to [email protected].