Student Testimonials

Below are letters / postings from our students

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I thought I would let everyone know about my experience.

It was fantastic!!

At first I wasn’t sure if I felt comfortable spending money on classes right now. Then I started looking at all the other conventions I had been to. Although I always learned something, 45 minutes to an hour and a half per class just never seemed like enough time. When I started adding up all the expenses involved in going to conventions, I thought I would have to be foolish not to spend the money to be able to get 100 hours of instructions from one of the industries best! It was money well spent!!!

It was everything I was looking for and more! I have been a CBA for 8 years and wasn’t too sure that I really needed to take the balloon classes, but even in those I picked up some great tips and learned some new things.

There were a couple of classes I wasn’t sure I was going to like, and they ended up being my favorites! I discovered new talents I didn’t even know I had.

I met some wonderful people, including Carmen and her family. I could not believe how much time Carmen spent working with us and on the classes. We were supposed to be done at 5:00p every day, but I think there was only one day that we actually left at that time. If you had any questions at all, or needed help with something we were learning, Carmen would take the time to go over things with you. She answered all of our questions (no matter how many we asked). The days were long, but the amount of information that we learned was priceless.

As much as I love balloon decor, I had been looking for somewhere
I could go to learn more advanced decor ideas to incorporate with my balloons. I left the academy feeling much more confident in what I can offer to my customers and 10 steps ahead of any of my competitors!!

If anyone has any specific questions, please feel free to email me.
Although I won’t give away any of the precious secrets learned
(you’ll have to take the classes yourself) I would be happy to answer any other questions you might have about the academy.

Rosemarie
A Balloon Affair
New York

just returned from Carmen's newly formed Event Deocrating Academy. And I had an amazing time! The classes and structure of learning modules were incredible. And the students enrolled were from all other the world - England, California, Louisiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and New York. It was wonderful.

Everything was in sequence comfortably. The tools at your reach easily. And the pace extremely relaxed for all students to learn.

Your hospitality was delightful - especially the terrific food from the Garden Restaurant. Boy, those folks really know how to cook. And my favorite was the apple pie square! Please advise all of your future students to try it. They will not be able to stop ordering it.

As for the Howard Johnson, many thanks to you for coordinating that special room rate! This made it very affordable to attend the Academy. For other overnight balloon conferences and workshops, this part of travel can make attendees think twice about attending as these expenses are often large. But at the rate you extended, it
just made the decision-making so easy, knowing that if you share a room, the rate gets that much more attractive. Thanks!

Carmen, a special, special thanks to you again for your ability to teach balloon decorations and event planning! You were a gem to share all of your techniques and strategies for making lots of money, especially with your fabric draping ideas. Your fabric designs were some of the best I have ever seen, and you made it look so easy
to accomplish. You did not hold back to enlighten all of us with your know-how tips for overcoming any event decorating nightmare. One tip alone paid for the entire course at $1895, but you gave so much more. Your willingness to share knowledge and create artists (not decorators) will stay with me for many, many years to come. You have changed my life! And this certification will be grand addition to my list of abilities.

I am thrilled to have been a member of the first class at the Academy. Though I did not hesitate enrolling, many prospective students out there may be leary about paying the cost and spending two weeks in a classroom. To them I say, do not be afraid! It is worth every dollar invested and time spent, and so much more. Carmen will turn
you into a professional in no time. She will teach you how to paint, build sculptures and props, create florals, and most important, run a business. Many students have spent thousands of dollars to earn a four-year business degree, but their prospective program provided little to no information about how to make money. Carmen, however, will teach you not only the techniques for becoming sought-after artists, but products that will make you
money - and in a short period of time. Her tuition cost is priceless compared to similar workshops and conferences.

Lastly, thanks to all the corporate sponsors who supported our experiences at the Academy. One of the highlights of the Academy was that Carmen worked out many agreements with industry leaders
such as Betallic, Clik-Clik,Hi-Float and many others for her students to try their products. I was thrilled about the opportunity to REALLY work with them. I emphasize REALLY because I have worked with several of these products in other workshops, but not like I did at the Academy. Carmen put us to work with them every day, and we used them in ways unimagineable. You will be shocked at what Carmen does with these products. She will take an ordinary use and turn it into a spectacular money maker!

Carmen, thanks for your time, desire to teach, and wisdom of artistry! My business will be so much better as a result of spending time with you. Should you need me as a reference for any student, I am just a phone call away...use it! I will be thrilled to talk about my positive experiences at the Academy and your professionalism as a event decorator and artist. BRAVO Carmen, a job well done!

Take care, and see you soon,

Tony Austin
New Orleans

On November 8th I attended the Event Decorating Academy (EDA) for an intensive 2 week course, and let me truly say decorating will never be the same. I made the decision to attend the course coming all the way from England., not sure of what to expect,but I can say I was not disappointed.

I have been doing balloon decorating for 18 months and was always seeking to do other things to compliment it, well my search was not in vain. Carmen Ballering with her infinite skills was the answer to my prayers. Everyday was something different, and after each day you would go home feeling confident with a new skill under your belt. Carmens' approach to teaching was exemplery, at any time when a question was asked she would answer without hesitation and was attentive to all individually and as a group. Many projects were taught as well as balloons, such as fabric draping,lighting, props, floristry,sculptures,etc,and from each, a invaluable amount was learnt., this course far exceeded my expectations.

Carmen after 19 years in the business still has great enthusiasm and a passion for what she does, which is so evident to all, and is truly an inspiration. Along with those wonderful people I met from all over America who welcomed me graciously helped to make my stay even more memorable. This has been a great benefit to me and I am going to enjoy displaying and profitting from my new found skills. I just wish I had found a place like this when I had just started out, but being relatively new to the business and having taken this course I envisage a great future for my business.

Annette Knight
London
(first English visitor)

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I Have Been In A Mind Of A Genius

For years I have looked and wondered how Carmen Ballering is able to come up with such great ideas and execute them. She has the ability to make her art come to life. When I first learned about the Event Decorating Academy, I immediately said I wanted to be a port of it. Carmen has opened my mind to more ways than I expected. I thought just because I had my CBA that when it came to the balloon classes I would be wasting my time. Not So! I've gained more knowledge, tips, and tricks that took my breath away! And that was just the beginning!

Carmen had a wide variety of subjects, and each one of them peaked my interest, even when I thought it wouldn't. She answered all our questions; and even stayed late after class to answer more. Would you even believe a field trip to the Home Depot to make sure we had the right tools and parts we need to make our lives easier and more profitable.

I want to thank Betallic, Conwin and Click-Click for their materials and donations to help further my education. Regardless if you're in the medical, law, or any other profession I have learned that education is the key; and an on-going thing. We have to stay current on the up and coming trends or our competition will leave us behind!

Overall I would like to encourage all to make the investment in their future. If you want to see your business grow and succeed in greater profits, this is the course for you!

I have learned how to think outside of the box. Carmen has instilled in me to believe in myself and not to give up. To her there is no meaning in the negative words such as I cant. Carmen has a way to empower you to be successful. Carmen I thank you for starting the school. It has opened more doors for me to walk thru. This is what I have been looking for. Please consider looking into some advance classes. You are truly gifted and blessed.

I have truly been in the mind of a GENIUS!

Ravin Robinson, New York