Eligibility to Enter:
Only fully-registered attendees are eligible to enter the competitions. Sign-up is available during registration.

Entry Limitation:
Participants are allowed to enter only one figure per category.

Collaboration Guidelines:
While receiving help from friends is permitted, you must be the primary designer and hands-on twister of your creations.

Supply Policy:
T&S does not provide balloons, inflators, or other materials for sculptures. However, participants are free to seek sponsorship for products.

Material:
All entries must be made from balloons. At least 90% of each sculpture must be made from latex balloons.

Attachment and Decoration: All methods of construction (ex. Glue, wire, monofilament, EMT) are permissible. Surface decoration (ex. Paint, marker, vinyl, gemstones) are allowed.

No Confetti allowed

Balloons should be the predominant element of the sculpture.

Sound Additions:
Allowed, but volume should be moderate to avoid disturbing others.

Size Compliance:
Sculptures must fit within size limits without compression or alteration.

Construction Location and Time: You may build your pieces at any time and accessible place, including the jam room.

Small:
Maximum dimensions of 12" x 12" x 12" (30.5 cm)

Medium:
Maximum dimensions of 36" x 36" x 36" (91.4 cm)

Large:
No size limit for 2025 (subject to change based on hotel ).

Un-Inflated:
No size limit; all balloons must be un-inflated or 'puffed'. Stretched latex balloons will be categorized as Small, Medium, or Large. Stuffing allowed.

Sculpture building can occur at any time or location. Sculpture (or parts of it) can be built before the convention. You are responsible for the security of your equipment and supplies.

Priority access to the Competition room is available for large sculpture building.Space may be available for Balloon Dress & Costume construction, contact us for details.

Competition Room access is available for competitors in Large Sculpture:
• Tuesday 6 am to 6 pm
• Wednesday 6 am to 6 pm
• Thursday 8 am to 12 noon

All entries are submitted for judging on Thursday in the Competition Room

All entries are submitted for judging on Thursday in the Competition Room

Un-Inflated: between 1 pm to 3 pm only
Small: between 1 pm to 3 pm only
Medium: between 3 pm to 5 pm only
Large: between 8 am to 12 noon only

Tagging and Verification:
Upon entering, you will receive a numbered tag for each sculpture. A staff member will check that your sculpture complies with the size requirements of its category without being compressed or altered.

Tag Placement:
Place the numbered tag visibly in front of your sculpture. It doesn't need to be attached; positioning it close by is fine.

Photography:
Our T&S photographer will handle repositioning and photographing your sculpture. Personal photos are not allowed during this process.

Communication and Compliance: Promptly respond to any requests for information regarding your entry. We will reach out for specifics about the size and any technical aspects of your sculpture. Failure to respond to inquiry or adhering to guidelines may disqualify your entry.

Process & Eligibiity: Fully-registered audience members can cast up (1) vote in each category during the viewing period for people’s choice award. Sculptures will be on display Thursday after the timed competition’s conclusion for half an hour, and on Friday from 9am - 1:30 pm for voting. All ballots must be cast by Friday at 1:30pm.

Panel Review: Seven judges, chosen by convention organizers, will represent a mix of balloon professionals, laypersons, fashion and entertainment industry experts. Highest and lowest judges score will be thrown out. 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place will be awarded based on total scores of judges.

Pieces will be awarded up to 25 points/category: Design, Craftsmanship, Originality and Overall Impact.

Up to 100 points will be awarded/entry Each competitor's scores will be calculated by discarding the highest and lowest scores from the judges. The total of the remaining five scores will determine the competitor's final score.

Design and Color Balance (up to 25 points)Has there been attention paid to details in the sculpture? Is color used effectively in the design? Are the balloon accessories added to the piece appropriate or does it make it feel “messy” or “overwhelming”? Does the sculpture appear balanced or unbalanced? In either case, does that add or detract from the design?

Technical Skill (up to 25 points) Is the technique(s) used to create the piece constructed cleanly or does it appear to be sloppy? Are there leaks or obvious damage to the sculpture? Do support elements / mechanics work properly and are they cleanly hidden or are they exposed (if applicable)?

Originality (up to 25 points) Is the subject matter of the sculpture unique or creative? Does the artist use a technique or unique approach to the subject matter of the piece that makes it different or “original”? Does this sculpture look like others you’ve seen before or is it something totally new to you?

Overall Impact (up to 25 points) Is the overall impact or message of the sculpture clear and concise or are you confused by what it is when you look at it? Does the sculpture strike a strong emotional response from you? Do you think it coincides with what the artist wanted you to take away from it?

Decisions made by judges are final and binding.

Tie-Breaking:
In case of a tie, judges will reconvene to determine the winner through an additional evaluation.

Winners of the Artistic Sculpture competitions will be announced at the Saturday night banquet.

Score Sheets: A copy will be provided to competitors after the convention upon request.