Media

The 2010 Media Kit will be posted online at a later date.

Albuquerque is the premier ballooning city due to the crystal skies, perfect October climate and a phenomenon called the "Albuquerque Box." With a combination of weather patterns and geographic landscape, the box allows balloonists to control and even retrace their adventure. Balloon Fiesta Park covers over 200 acres and is filled with balloons and vendors selling everything from traditional New Mexican food to Balloon memorabilia. Each year balloons come from around the world to participate in the event and news coverage originates from more than 50 countries. It has become the most photographed event in the world.

Media Registration

Online media registration is available now, please click here.

In order to be considered for media pass approval, you MUST FAX or mail one or more of the following :

Original Letter of Assignment from news director, assignment editor, publisher or producer.
Most recent publication or feature on the Balloon Fiesta or ballooning.
I.D. from an accredited media organization or association.

Fax: 505-828-2887
AIBF - Media Committee
4401 Alameda NE
Albuquerque, NM 87113 USA

You will be contacted via email by the AIBF media credential committee.

Media Coverage

Since the first Balloon Fiesta in 1972, media representing over 50 nations have covered this newsworthy event. Coverage has included live satellite broadcasts to Japan, television documentaries prepared by Great Britain, West Germany, the Netherlands and France, television specials on ESPN, Arts & Entertainment, the Public Broadcasting Service, and the Travel Channel.

In appreciation of the media attention given to this annual historic occasion, we are offering links to the web sites of media organizations featuring online coverage of our event. While there are some restrictions and limitations, please let our webmaster know if you would like your feature to be considered.

Media Credentials

It is the Balloon Fiesta’s policy to provide media credentials to employees of established media organizations, and to freelance reporters or photographers on assignment for such organizations. It is not our policy to credential those who wish to cover the event for private commercial purposes, to media with private circulation (e.g., a trade union newspaper), or to media with a very limited audience. Parking and admission fees ($10 parking per vehicle, $6 single admission) incurred to reach the Media Tent after October 2nd will not be reimbursed. One of the following MUST be presented for credential consideration:

Original letter of assignment from your news director, assignment editor, publisher, or producer
I.D. from a major market, accredited media organization or association
Valid photo I.D. is required for media tent access and all AIBF sponsored media activities

Media Registration The deadline for online media registration is Monday, September 7, 2009. After that date, you must obtain media credentials in person. The Media Tent is open for media registration and credential pickup from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Thursday and Friday prior to opening day of Balloon Fiesta. The Media Tent is also open for registration and pickup on Mass Ascension mornings from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., and for scheduled evening events from 3:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Click here for online media registration. Please direct questions to Balloon Fiesta Media Relations Director, Kathie Leyendecker.