Raleigh, NC: Hot Air Marketing, LLC formally announced it has secured WRAL-TV as title sponsor for a major hot air balloon festival and skills competition coming to Raleigh, Zebulon and Wake County. The WRAL Freedom Balloon Fest launches Memorial Day Weekend 2015 (May 22-25, 2015).

Organizers are bringing one of the nation's premier hot air balloon festivals to Zebulon's Bennett Bunn Plantation with planned public events also scheduled for Spring Forest Road Park in North Raleigh. More than 30 balloon pilots and teams from 15 states and overseas will compete.

“We are delighted to be part of this new Memorial Day weekend event,” said Steven D. Hammel, Vice President & General Manager WRAL-TV.  “This is yet another vibrant activity for the Triangle. We hope this will become an annual tradition, celebrating freedom with family, saluting those who have served our country.”

“Securing WRAL as a title sponsor, with the enduring trust the community has in them, is just wonderful. They bring so many resources to this inaugural event.” said Brian Hoyle, event organizer and Managing Member of Hot Air Marketing. “With WRAL's capacity to support other sponsors' investments and build audience through its television, radio, and new media capabilities, we are very confident in the promise of the WRAL Freedom Balloon Fest to become a lasting cultural resource for our community.”  

WRAL Freedom Balloon Fest will invite the public to a mass ascension of all participating balloons, followed by a balloon "glow" just after sunset on Friday, May 22 at Bennett Bunn Plantation in Zebulon. Events in Zebulon continue on Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings with competition balloon flights. 

Everyone has a bucket list of some sort - even if they don't admit it. We all have that burning desire to do something that seems just out of grasp, but we really want it.

A hot air balloon experience routinely ranks among the top 10 (usually top 5) bucket list items people want to have in their lifetimes. VisitNC.com has launched a campaign called #NCBucketList geared toward fulfilling "don't miss" travel experiences across The Old North State.

So as a brand manager, social media marketer, or sales manager working with customers for big orders, what kind of lasting emotional impression do you think you'll leave on your consumer or customer if you fulfill one of their top 10 bucket list items? It's serious food for thought.

Love your customers and they will love you back. Fulfill a dream and it will be very hard to turn you down when it comes time for purchase. Brands win every time they participate in the lives and future good memories of their consumers.

Let us help you develop a new level campaign that builds brand, participates authentically in the lives of your customer or consumer, creates opportunity for them to truly become ambassadors of your brand, product or service, and let them fall in love with you. Hot Air Marketing is your bucket list specialist

Soft landings...

Upon first glance, the weather looked like we might not get much flying in during our recent visit to the vibrant Alabama Gulf Coast community of Foley. In spite of the weather, the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival had many things going for it - a nine year track record of crowd pleasing fun, a huge volume of tourists, a diversity of other things to do around the hot air balloons when they cannot fly, a supportive business community, and an active regional media presence looking to tell the story.

Hot Air Marketing's touring Big Red Hot Air Balloon Team pilot and crew were delighted to be on hand to help work with regional media to "tell the story" in support of our team sponsor and the event's title sponsor Tanger Outlet Centers and provide a pre-event glow at the mall as well.

Friday midday heavy rains followed by good weather meant some of the balloons were unable to participate in the tether and glow operations (many of the fields needed to dry creating cramped quarters for the numerous balloons). Earlier weather notwithstanding, the crowds showed up and the pilots were ready and able to put on a show for the assembled masses.

Hot Air Marketing stepped in to supply its "Mile High Hot Air Balloon Simulator" for guests at the event to get an up close experience of what balloon flight is like and receive a free, social media souvenir - a photo of the experience suitable for uploading to their favorite social media outlet. Each photo showcased the Tanger Outlet name in thanks for their sponsorship of the team and event. Fans and families were treated to a unique event experience they will carry with them for years to come (and share with friends around the social media sphere).

Ultimately, guests, sponsors and pilots were treated to a great weekend of celebration and all things hot air ballooning. Tethers, glows, a mass ascension and competition flight. Thanks to all of the organizers, volunteers, spectators and of course, our sponsor Tanger Outlet for putting on another great hot air balloon event. We love to share the magic of hot air ballooning!