IMTS balloon begins farewell tour
Show management for IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show 2016 has announced the cross country Farewell Tour festival schedule for the hallmark IMTS hot air balloon. The IMTS show itself is slated for Sept. 7-12 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
The IMTS balloon will begin its Farewell Tour at the Kentucky Derby Festival, April 23-25 in Louisville, Ky. As part of the Farewell Tour, members of the IMTS community can enter a contest to win a chance for a free IMTS balloon ride.
The balloon, which made its inaugural flight in 2004 with a purple design, has achieved almost iconic mascot status. The current version, an orange and ribbon striped design, debuted in 2008. “We can’t think of a better way to begin the orange balloon’s Farewell Tour than being part of the Kentucky Derby
Festival,” said Peter R. Eelman, Vice President – Exhibition and Communications, AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology. “In the manufacturing technology industry, IMTS evokes the same good feelings and excitement that the Kentucky Derby does in the horse racing world. Both are icons in their own space. The IMTS community has always broken into smiles and known it’s time for the show when they see the big, orange IMTS balloon hovering above the lawn at McCormick Place.”
The balloon will be on display at these events:
Kentucky Derby Festival
Louisville, Ky.
April 23 – 25, 2015
kdf.org/
Great Galena Balloon Race
Galena, Ill.
June 20 – 22, 2015
www.greatgalenaballoonrace.com
Michigan Challenge
Howell, Mich.
June 26 – 28, 2015
www.michiganchallenge.com
Stoweflake Festival
Stowe, Vt.
July 10 – 12, 2015
www.stoweflake.com
Quick Chek Festival
Readington, N.J.
July 24 – 26, 2015
www.balloonfestival.com
Pro Balloon Race
Ottumwa, Iowa
Aug. 28 – 30, 2015
ottumwaproballoonrace.weebly.com
Adirondack Festival
Glens Falls, N.Y.
Sept. 17 – 20, 2015
www.adirondackballoonfest.org
Balloon Fiesta
Albuquerque, N.M.
Oct. 3 – 11, 2015
www.balloonfiesta.com
Great Midwest Balloon Fest
Olathe, Kan.
October 23 – 24, 2015
IMTS – International Manufacturing Technology Show
The largest and longest running manufacturing technology trade show in the United States is held every other year at McCormick Place in Chicago, Ill. IMTS 2016 will run Sept. 12-17. IMTS is ranked among the largest trade shows in the world. Recognized as one of the world’s preeminent stages for introducing and selling manufacturing equipment and technology, IMTS attracts more than 114,000 visitors from every level of industry and more than 112 countries. IMTS is owned and managed by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology.
AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology represents and promotes U.S.-based manufacturing technology and its members—those who design, build, sell, and service the continuously evolving technology that lies at the heart of manufacturing. Founded in 1902 and based in Virginia, the association specializes in providing targeted business assistance, extensive global support, and business intelligence systems and analysis. AMT is the voice that communicates the importance of policies and programs that encourage research and innovation, and the development of educational initiatives to create tomorrow’s Smartforce. AMT owns and manages IMTS — The International Manufacturing Technology Show, which is the premier manufacturing technology event in North America.
