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balloon industry reinforce the need for all of us, from manufacturers and retailers to balloon artists, to work together to continue to raise awareness and educate consumers about smart balloon use." One way e Balloon Council is helping balloon companies find solutions to the challenges facing the industry is by using materials that offer more eco-friendly advantages, such as balloon-grade helium. "e helium shortage of 2019 is over, and there is an adequate supply to meet demand," O'Hara explains. "In fact, some experts believe there may be a surplus of helium in the future. e industry has been working with industrial gas companies to extract 'lift only' balloon-grade helium directly from the ground utilizing a new specialized filtration process. Balloon-grade helium is not usable for most commercial, medical and research applications, but it is perfect for balloons!" O'Hara also points out that, over the years, the balloon industry has made significant changes by designing balloons that are lighter, stay inflated longer (up to 20 days) and use fewer materials (up to 25 percent). e initial helium shortage also encouraged designers to create new styles of balloon displays and décor that do not use any helium. Looking at the financial effects of COVID-19 on the balloon industry, O'Hara summarizes, "Initially, the industry was hit hard at the start of the pandemic, but sales have rebounded significantly as people continue to use balloons for all their life celebrations. Balloons were used in communities across the country to lift the spirits of people of all ages during the pandemic, particularly during lockdown. We saw them as part of drive-by birthday and graduation celebrations, adorning houses and lawns, and even on closed storefronts to encourage hope and strength and to bring a little joy to residents." As for the future of the balloon industry, O'Hara is optimistic. "Demand has been strong over the past several months. However, as with many other industries, there are significant challenges due to supply-chain issues that have impacted the ability of manufacturers to adequately meet the rising demand, but the industry is working diligently to fix these issues." Photo Courtesy Monday Morning Flower and Balloon Co.

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