PRESS RELEASES from RNC Committee on Arrangements

Tampa, Fla. - Students from Tampa's Gaither High School will inflate more than 120,000 red, white and blue balloons on Friday, August 24 starting at 9:30 a.m. in the Tampa Bay Times Forum as preparations move forward for the iconic "balloon drop" the final night of the 2012 Republican National Convention, Thursday, August 30. 

In addition to this unique photo opportunity of student volunteers blowing up in excess of 20,000 balloons an hour, Treb Heining, of the GlassHouse Balloon Company, Inc., of Anaheim, Calif., will be on hand to answer questions. 

In 1988, Mr. Heining developed a system that allowed large numbers of volunteers to inflate upwards of 20,000 balloons an hour in preparation for the Republican National Convention in New Orleans.  With minor modifications, his system is still in use today and will be utilized by the Gaither High School students at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on Friday- August, 24th.

WHO:            Gaither High School students
                     Treb Heining, GlassHouse Balloon Company, Anaheim, Calif.

WHAT:         Massive balloon inflation for the 2012 Republican National Convention

WHEN:         Friday - August 24 - 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

WHERE:       The Tampa Bay Times Forum, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa 
                     Near Section 308 - 6th Floor

PARKING:     Media parking will be available at the Times Forum's West lot by PERMIT ONLY.
                     Permits will be issued to RSVPed media.

RSVP:          Media must RSVP to Caroline Gonzmart by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 23, 2012.
                     RSVP's/Parking Permit requests are accepted via email 
                     at CGonzmart@GOPConvention2012.com.

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Tampa, Fla. - A Tampa Bay student Youth and Government Club will get the chance to paint the colorful signs that will make history at the 2012 Republican National Convention. The painting will take place on TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012 between 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. at River Church, Building B, 3738 River International Drive, Tampa, Florida.

The students, who range from grades 6 to 12, will paint thousands of red, white and blue signs, consistent with the convention theme "A BETTER FUTURE," that delegates will wave on the floor of the convention, which will be held August 27-30, 2012 at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

WHO: Students from the Youth and Government Club

WHAT: Hand painting signs to be used by delegates to the 2012 Republican National Convention

WHEN: Tuesday, August 21, 2012 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

WHERE: River Church, Building B 3738 River International Drive Tampa, Florida

RSVP: Media must RSVP to Caroline Gonzmart at cgonzmart@gopconvention2012.com by 5 p.m. on Monday, August 20th