Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

No Drone Zone

The Garrity Group partnered with event organizers to raise awareness about the risks drones present to hot air balloons.

Challenge

The popularity of drone photography literally and figuratively took off in advance of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the largest event of its kind in the world with more than 550 hot air balloons. Event organizers secure a four-mile radius of airspace so the hot air balloons can launch without concern of unauthorized aircraft encroaching their airspace. During previous events, there were 992 drone detections. Drone propellers pose a great risk to hot air balloon envelopes.

Solution

Partnering with local law enforcement, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), The Garrity Group launched an awareness program for the Balloon Fiesta to raise awareness about the risks to human life and penalties for drone pilots who get caught entering the secure airspace without permission.

Results

Worked with the Federal Aviation Administration to establish the “No Drone Zone” campaign.
Created talking points, news releases, and staged media awareness events.
Communicated information to the event’s hot air balloon pilots and guests.
Media outreach to local and regional media resulted in more than 100 stories about the 239 drone detections in the Balloon Fiesta airspace, a 75% reduction from the previous year.