Balloon Festival Gets into Position for 2025

Cathedral City Poised to Approve Vendor for the Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival

CATHEDRAL CITY — High season has barely ended in the Coachella Valley and already city staff here are securing events for next season, including the International Hot Air Balloon Festival.

The City Council on Wednesday is scheduled to approve SoundSkilz as the vendor for the Cathedral City International Hot Air
Balloon Festival based on the evaluation panel’s scoring and recommendation.

The Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival is a signature three-day event held annually in November, the weekend before Thanksgiving. Since its inception in 2015, the festival has grown from several thousand local attendees to over 25,000 regional visitors, generating significant tourism impact for the greater Palm Springs region, according to Ryan Hunt, communications and events manager.

The event features hot air balloon launches, competitions, and evening balloon glows. The festival opens each morning with sunrise balloon launches and competitions visible across the valley. Festival grounds include live entertainment, food vendors, a beer and wine
garden, and an artisan market. Special activities include tethered balloon rides (weather permitting), family entertainment zones, and headline musical performances.

Here’s a peek at the process:

After advertising a request for proposals, the city received four proposals for the Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon
Festival. Proposals were submitted by SoundSkilz, Revel Republic, Fantasy Balloon Flights and JJLA.

An evaluation panel consisting of the following members conducted a thorough review of all proposals:Ryan Hunt, Communications & Events Manager (lead); Chris Parman, Events Consultant and 2025 LGBT+ Days event producer; Adam Chastain, Events & Recreation Coordinator; Colleen Pace, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer with Visit Greater Palm Springs; and Erin Hyland, Parks & Community Events Commission Chair.

The evaluation committee scored each proposal on a scale of 1-100. The average scores
were as follows:
1. SoundSkilz – 92.2
2. Revel Republic – 89.0
3. JJ-LA – 85.8
4. Fantasy Balloon Flights – 76.6

SoundSkilz received the highest average score of 92.2 points. The committee found that SoundSkilz demonstrated superior qualifications and experience in all categories, particularly in:

• Event Production Experience: SoundSkilz has extensive experience producing large-scale events, including hot air balloon festivals and other major community events.
• Marketing & Promotion Plan: Their comprehensive marketing strategy included innovative digital marketing approaches, traditional media outreach, and strategic partnerships with regional tourism entities.
• Implementation Plan: Their detailed festival implementation plan addressed all key aspects of the event, including balloon operations, entertainment programming, vendor management, and safety protocols.
• 4. Government Experience: SoundSkilz has successfully worked with multiple municipal governments on similar events throughout Southern California.

A standout element of SoundSkilz’s proposal is their partnership with Carol Popejoy-Davis, who has been hired as a consultant for this project, according to Hunt. Popejoy-Davis served as the Executive Director of the Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival for 17 years. Under her leadership, that festival grew into one of Southern California’s premier events, attracting over 40,000 attendees annually and generating significant economic impact for the Temecula region. Her extensive experience in balloon operations, safety protocols, vendor management, and entertainment booking adds considerable value and specialized expertise to the SoundSkilz team.

Following City Council approval, staff will work with SoundSkilz to negotiate and finalize specific contract terms, timelines, deliverables, and payment schedules.