Treb Heining

Treb Heining (born ) is an American businessman, inventor, and special effects artist best-known for creating large-scale balloon displays, large-scale confetti displays, and inventing designs for balloon-based decorations. He founded his company, BalloonArt by Treb, in 1979, and has been dubbed the "father of the balloon industry" and "the balloon guy". Heining has been responsible for orchestrating balloon drops at many major events in the United States (including Super Bowls, the Academy Awards, and those at presidential nominating conventions). He also has overseen the confetti displays at the annual Times Square ball drop since the ceremony held to ring in the year 1993.

Biography

Heining is considered a pioneer in the ballon industry, even being dubbed "the father of the balloon industry" His career began with his first job the age of fifteen in the year 1969, with the humble start of a job selling balloons to parkgoers at Disneyland. Heining worked events for many celebrities. A large balloon arch he built for a party hosted by Elijah Blue Allman resulted in a photo of Allman's mother, Cher, underneath the arch. This photo of Cher brought Heining's arch design great attention, and resulted in an influx of costumer inquiries to his company. However, as the 1980s progressed, Heining and his company ventured into designing balloon spectacles for major events.

Heining provided his expertise to oversee Balloonfest '86 in Cleveland, an event which broke that same record he had earlier set at Disneyland. Balloonfest had unforeseen complications which marred it, as the released balloons drifted back over the city and Lake Erie and landed in the surrounding area, causing problems for traffic and a nearby airport. As a result, organizers faced lawsuits seeking millions of dollars in damages, The event also interfered with a United States Coast Guard search for two boaters who were later found drowned.

Heining orchestrated a balloon release for the 200th anniversary celebration of the United States Constitution, held at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. That same year he orchestrated a balloon display in New York City for the 200th anniversary of the first inauguration of George Washington.

A fervent supporter of the presidency of Ronald Reagan, Heining published an op-ed in 2011 in which he recounted an experience in 1981 where he had erected an American flag balloon display across the street from Century Plaza hotel when Reagan was staying there to express his support for the president. At the time, Reagan's stay was attracting protests from those opposing him over his firing of air traffic controllers in response to the PATCO Strike. Heining recounted that his flag display expressed his support for the president's leadership. Heining created balloon displays for Reagan's second inauguration in 1985 and Reagan's vice president George H.W. Bush's own presidential inauguration in 1991. and has thus far been in charge of every Republican National Convention ballon drop since (most recently orchestrating the balloon drop at the 2024 Republican National Convention). and 2024. He also acted as a consultant for balloon drops at other Democratic conventions. At the end of the year 1992 (and start of the year 1993), Heining's company introduced a confetti effect to the Times Square ball drop that has continued to be used in the decades since,

Disney Parks has contracted Heining to design balloon displays for events such as the grand opening of new attractions. In the 1990s, the company had Heining design the so-called "Glasshouse Balloon". A high-selling product, the balloon featured as a clear balloon containing a smaller big-eared Mickey Mouse shaped balloon inside of it. He has continued, in the decades since, to design balloons for Disney's theme park resorts. balloon drops at Democratic National Conventions (2000, 2016, 2024) 1984 Summer Olympics opening ceremony Balloonfest '86 displays for United States presidential inaugurations

He has also orchestrated: Times Square ball drop confetti display (annually since 1992)