Albuquerque International

Balloon Fiesta®  
NAVIGATOR NEWS
 June 2015

In This Issue
 
A New Look For BalloonFiesta.com!

 

The Balloon Fiesta website is keeping up with the times! Check it out at www.BalloonFiesta.com 

Our new website is "responsive," which means it will automatically adjust in size and layout to fit any size screen - phone, tablet, desktop, etc.

We hope you enjoy our new look. If you see any errors, or have any questions, please send a note to

 

 

FAST FACTS:
Why is Smoking Prohibited on the Field? Part II

 

Last month we explained that smoking was prohibited on the field because a lit cigarette could ignite a pocket of propane. There are other reasons that smoking is not allowed.  

 

The City of Albuquerque has adopted an ordinance prohibiting smoking on City property. Balloon Fiesta Park is owned and operated by the City of Albuquerque, so this ordinance applies.

 

Additionally, a burning cigarette butt dropped in the grass can also burn a hole in a balloon envelope, requiring an expensive repair.   

 

If you see someone on the field with a cigarette, politely ask them to put it out. If they do not comply, contact the nearest Public Safety officer.

 

 

 

MUSIC FIESTA
USHERS NEEDED

 

Music Fiesta gets bigger every year. As a result, we need more people to help manage the two concert seating areas - Reserved and Premier Lawn Seating. If you would like to help out and serve as an usher, ticket-taker, and all-around helper in the Music Fiesta Guest Services Team, contact Barb Turnbaugh at barb062969@gmail.com 

 

Music Fiesta takes place this year on Saturday, Oct. 10th. Hours served on this team will count towards your hours required to earn your jacket. Click here for more information about Music Fiesta.

 

 

  
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
4401 Alameda Boulevard N.E.
Albuquerque, NM 87113
swylie@balloonfiesta.com
(505) 821-1000, ext. 109
  
Visit Navigator Central

The source for everything AIBF Navigators need to know  

 

Check out a new page on the Balloon Fiesta website called "Navigator Central." This page is just for you!  

 

Featuring all of the information pertaining to Navigators, you'll find a calendar of events with training and meeting dates, a list of classes with registration links, access to log in to your Navigator profile, Navigator News articles, downloadable documents such as the Navigator Handbook, and more.  

 

Be sure to bookmark Navigator Central and check back often for updates and additions.  

Balloon Fiesta Welcomes a New Event Director!   
Don  Edwards Retires from Balloon Fiesta but not Ballooning

We are pleased to announce Paul Petrehn as our new event director.  Petrehn ta kes over for Event Director Don Edwards who announced his retirement earlier this year. Petrehn is an accomplished balloon pilot and event director, having served in that capacity for both the North Central Championship in Missouri and Frontier Days Balloon Shoot-out in Michigan.
Progress on The Sid Cutter Pavilion

If you haven't visited Balloon Fiesta Park recently, you'll be surprised to find a new building. In place of the large tent, formerly known as the Pilots' Landing, is the new "Sid Cutter Pilots' Pavilion." Below is a photo showing the progress.

The 12,000 sq. ft. space will cost the city $2.5M to build, and it will be complete in time for the 2015 Balloon Fiesta.

During Balloon Fiesta, the new building will continue to be the headquarters for pilots, crew and officials. The rest of the year, it will be used for city-run events such as Freedom 4th.

Stay tuned for more updates.
Soaring in to Service

Providing outstanding service to all of our guests 

 

You might expect an article about customer (guest) service to be about, well, the guest. But excellent guest service starts with you.

 

Ask anyone who volunteers or works at Balloon Fiesta and they'll agree - while those 9 days are exciting and exhilarating, they can also be grueling. In fact, you may even hear the term "Fiesta Crud," referring to the illness brought on by too little sleep, too little nourishment, and too many hours of work. 

Weather Official Position Now Open 

The Balloon Fiesta Weather Officials team is looking for a new member. This team is responsible for acquiring the latest and most accurate weather information from a variety of sources, interpreting that data as it relates to balloon launches, flights and landings, and advising those in charge of flight operations on weather issues that affect flight safety. 

 

June Happenings...
(Click on the event title for more information)

Project Heart Start Day

Saturday, June 20

8:00-9:00 a.m.

UNM Johnson Field and Center

    

Saturday, June 20th
9:00 a.m. - Noon
Balloon Fiesta Offices (4401 Alameda Blvd. NE)

Saturday, June 27th
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Balloon Fiesta Offices (4401 Alameda Blvd. NE)