Blowin' Up Monday, August 31, 2009 Indoors or outdoors, inflatable structures can bring a bit of fun, attraction, and a unique look to an event footprint—and the capabilities of inflatable producers are allowing for more detailed creations than ever before. For touring events, the big benefit of inflatables is the portability. The structures can be packed down and set up quickly, and the list of options (arches, pylons, domes, tents, product replicas) is long. And combining inflatable elements with traditional architecture is another option that can gain big attention. Pushing Limits. Because the inflatable market is maturing, more suppliers are now focusing in on high-end detailed creations. “Our clients push our limits a lot in terms of detail, and we almost have to become experts in what our clients specialize in,” says Stephanie Meacham, vp-operations at Landmark Creations. Designs can get very complex in the level of detail, and mixing in media is the next level for inflatables. Projecting video inside inflatable domes is an increasingly popular and immersive solution for outdoor environs, but keep in mind that the inside wall of the inflatable has to be smooth in order to pull it off properly. “I think both organic and architectural inflatable styles, merging more with emerging technologies like video and touch technology is the future. I think inflatables will be more integral with the other components in the booth,” Meacham says. Benefits and Capabilities. Inflatable production technology has advanced to the point that almost any shape and size can be created. Creative Inflatables recently built a 50-foot long iguana structure to promote a reptile show at the Boston Museum of Science. Keep in mind that the more intricate inflatables are, the more expensive they get, and the more interior baffling needed to create the shapes. Integrating printing into the custom designs is critical from the get-go. Full color, high-resolution digital printing is the norm today, so work with suppliers to find the best graphic solution. Four to six weeks is the ballpark timeframe figure for custom design work, and up to eight weeks for super complex designs, according to Adam Melendez, ceo of Creative Inflatables. Pitfalls. The bigger the structure, the bigger the chances are of it ripping. “Wind loads are critical; a 50 mile-per-hour gust could be devastating or deadly,” Melendez says. Design enough space in a footprint for proper tethering to avoid problems in this area, be it sandbags, anchor bolts, or water bags. Also, a slightly smaller scale can reduce the risk while maintaining the visual impact. Inflatable tents are a bit larger than the average tents, needing a larger footprint to be blown up and supported. An exterior 15 by 15 footprint inflatable tent results in an 8 by 8 interior. “They do take a little more room. People have to keep in mind that we do need masts that hold the structures up. They do come with a metal frame backup just in case of power issues and for safety purposes,” Melendez says.
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