Balloon fiesta on course

It may seem like the annual Wairarapa International Balloon Fiesta rolls into town every year for your entertainment pleasure all by itself, such is the smoothness with which it runs.
In reality a dedicated team are working behind the scenes for 10 months leading to the event to make sure the fiesta, which begins next Wednesday, is of an international standard and a quality event for both Wairarapa people and visitors.
Two of those doing the unseen stuff are publicity co-ordinator Lisa Sims and events manager Kristina Lyall.
Mrs Sims, of Kitchen Sims Communication, is responsible for generating publicity and attracting sponsors for the event, which is crucial as aside from the Night Glow event the whole fiesta is free to the public.
"Given that we only charge for one event we rely on those sponsors to make it happen. The majority of sponsors come back every year."
Bringing the sponsors in is a lot easier if the event is well known and respected, and over the years Mrs Sims has worked to build a strong reputation for the event, in New Zealand and abroad.
It must be working as this year 32 balloonists and 29 balloons from New Zealand and the United States will descend in Wairarapa. Many are return visitors and there will be two new special shape balloons.
"We have relied quite heavily on the news media for exposure," she said.
Sometimes you can hit pay dirt.
"In 2001 pictures of a polar bear balloon, this stunning balloon, appeared in the media flying over Wairarapa all over the world. Once in five years you'll get that, when it's so perfect you get that kind of exposure. You can't buy it."
She has also taken it to the world by getting stories showcasing the Wairarapa event into American ballooning magazines, which reach enormous readerships.
Ms Lyall, from Wellington company Avenues Events Management, is more on the logistical side of things, making sure the stars of the show ? the special shapes ? get here, and co-ordinating large numbers (up to 160 pilots and crew) of people over several locations.
"It's like nine events rather than one."
The special shapes provide plenty of work for her.
"We bring them here from anywhere in the world ? this year it's the US ? and spend a while searching for the new shapes and liaising with the pilots to make sure they come. We deal with them from the time they leave their end to the time they get here."
This involves organising freight and making sure customs requirements are met, as the balloons spend a lot of time outdoors in various countries.
Both women were keen to acknowledge the work of the more than 100 people who volunteer as ground crew for the pilots and provide other input.
Two such figures were David Paris, who orchestrates the music for the nightglow, and Ross Gregory, who co-ordinates the volunteer crews.
Getting people to volunteer isn't too hard, Ms Lyall said.
"I get emails starting in April or May for the next year from people saying 'I want to crew'."