Colourful competition spotlights rising regional popularity of balloon décor for weddings, parties, and special themed events

Dubai, UAE, March 11, 2019:    Middle East balloon artists are invited to showcase their balloon talents at a unique competition in Dubai, creating magical designs that are proving popular at weddings, parties, and themed events across the region. 

Armed only with an air pump and their own imagination, contestants of the Qualatex Mystery Box competition will be presented with individual boxes containing the same assortment of Qualatex balloons, before they’re given 20 minutes to conjure their own stunning balloon décor.

One competition will be held on all three days of Paperworld Middle East 2019 trade fair, which runs from 18-20 March at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.  The winner from each round will claim a spot on the Qualatex Balloon School for the Gulf – an educational roadshow of balloon art and trends.

Qualatex is the world’s largest manufacturers of latex balloons, favoured by event planners, retailers, children’s stores, and balloon professionals worldwide.  Made in the USA and Canada from 100 percent natural, biodegradable latex with no added fillers, Qualatex balloons are distributed throughout the Gulf by Gravitas International.

Louis Chemaly, Gravitas International’s Managing Partner said: “We’re launching the Qualatex Mystery Box at Paperworld Middle East 2019 to invite customers to interact with our products and to express their creativity with Qualatex balloons.  We’ll lay down a challenge, proving that we have the very best balloons in the industry to play with.  Judges will evaluate each entry on overall impression, design and construction, use of balloons, unity and harmony.”
Chemaly said balloon art has become hugely popular in the Middle East, with spectacular balloon décor and bouquets now regular features of special events and occasions, from anniversaries to religious festivals: “There’re some extremely talented balloon artists in the region, whose work has been featured across the Qualatex platform, from social media, to catalogues to the balloon images publications,” he said.

“As with any market there’s always room for improvement which makes working in our industry fun and exciting.  We see the most growth potential through corporate events, including national day events as these are big across the Middle East.”

The Qualatex Mystery Box competition at Paperworld Middle East 2019 is the latest new addition to a full programme of special highlights at the region’s dedicated trade fair for paper, stationery, and office supplies.

Qualatex is one of nearly 300 exhibitors from 40 countries at the annual three-day event.  A debut exhibitor this year, the American company will also showcase its newest product ranges across latex, foil and bubble balloons, whilst also delivering live demonstrations on how to make sellable balloon designs in under 30 minutes. 

“Qualatex and the Mystery Box competition will be located at the Playworld Village, a dedicated area at Paperworld Middle East replete with children’s toys and games,” Alexandria Robinson, Show Director of Paperworld Middle East, said.  “The brand new competition reflects the More than Paper theme that we’ve introduced this year, as part of our strategy to offer a more diverse product range to trade buyers and professionals from across the Middle East and Africa.”

Another new addition to reflect Paperworld Middle East’s More than Paper theme for 2019 and beyond, is the Corporate Gifts Avenue, comprising high-end corporate gift items, from luxury confectionery and high-tech gadgets, to unique accessories and niche leather goods. 

They’re joining regular show highlights such as Leatherworld, the region’s only B2B platform for finished leather goods and accessories; a Corporate Gifts section; the Wrap Star competition; and the Green Room for sustainable stationery and office supplies.  A two-day seminar programme will also ensure industry professionals and insiders will be kept up-to-date with the latest Middle East market trends.

Now in its 9th edition, Paperworld Middle East is organised by Messe Frankfurt Middle East, offering a whole new world of business opportunities for thousands of regional trade buyers, distributors, retailers, corporations, and educational institutes.