Balloon Build 2026
LET’S PLAN A PARTY BRINGS NATIONAL BALLOON-ARTISTRY EXPERIENCE HOME TO TAMPA BAY
WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. — This August, Chonya Alvarez, owner of Let’s Plan A Party, traveled to Orlando for GuildCon 2026, a three-day balloon convention that brought together approximately 60 talented balloon artists from across the United States.
Throughout the convention, artists worked collaboratively to transform large spaces into immersive balloon environments. The featured themes included Under the Sea, Into the Jungle, Up, Up and Away, and New Year’s Eve.
The large-scale installations included balloon walls, columns, ceiling décor, organic balloon designs, helium-filled foil and latex balloons, and detailed sculptural elements. Each room required teamwork, creativity, careful planning, and problem-solving to bring the individual pieces together into one complete experience.
“It was incredible to work alongside so many talented balloon artists from around the country,” said Alvarez. “Everyone brought different ideas, skills, and experiences to the builds. It was both a teaching and learning opportunity for me, and I came home inspired by the creativity and teamwork that went into every room.”
GuildCon provided Chonya with the opportunity to share techniques with newer artists while also learning new construction methods and design approaches from other experienced professionals in the balloon industry.
The event was supported by The Balloon Guild and industry sponsors, including HI-FLOAT, Qualatex, and Sempertex.
Alvarez founded Let’s Plan A Party in 2010 and has spent more than 16 years helping families, schools, businesses, nonprofit organizations, HOAs, and community groups create memorable events throughout Wesley Chapel and the Greater Tampa Bay area.
What began as a local, family-run event company has grown into a full-service business offering custom balloon décor, event planning and coordination, face painting, balloon twisting, bubble shows, photo booths, DJs, specialty entertainers, and other family-friendly event services.
“Continuing education is extremely important in the balloon and event industry,” . “Events like GuildCon allow me to bring new techniques, larger-scale design ideas, and even more creative options home to our clients. I’m excited to take what I learned and use it to create unforgettable experiences right here in our community.”
The experience also demonstrated what can be accomplished when artists work together on designs much larger than the work any one person could complete alone.
“Seeing the finished rooms was amazing,” “You really had to step back and take it all in. I was proud to represent Let’s Plan A Party and the Tampa Bay area while working alongside artists from across the country.”
Let’s Plan A Party creates custom décor and entertainment for corporate events, school dances and homecomings, grand openings, fundraisers, community celebrations, holiday parties, birthdays, weddings, and private events.
For Let's Plan A Party, attending GuildCon was not simply about creating beautiful balloon displays. It was an opportunity to grow as an artist, strengthen industry relationships, support other professionals, and return home with new ways to help local clients turn their ideas into memorable celebrations.
ABOUT LET’S PLAN A PARTY
Let’s Plan A Party is a minority woman-owned, family-operated event company based in Wesley Chapel, Florida. Founded by Chonya Alvarez in 2010, the company serves clients throughout Tampa Bay and surrounding communities with custom balloon décor, event planning, coordination, entertainment, and interactive experiences.
Fully insured and an approved Florida school vendor, Let’s Plan A Party is known for providing creative, professional, family-friendly services while helping clients “take the stress out of their next event.”
MEDIA CONTACT
Chonya Alvarez
Owner, Let’s Plan A Party
Email:
info@letsplanaparty.com
Website:
www.letsplanaparty.com
Service Area: Wesley Chapel, Tampa Bay and surrounding Florida communities
