What is Nozzle Up? Europe's balloon convention explained
Nozzle Up is the balloon convention of Sempertex Europe: a multi-day event where professional balloon artists and decorators from all over Europe come together to learn from international top instructors, build together and meet the community in person. What started in 2018 with 52 participants has grown into one of the main highlights of the European balloon world. The next edition, Nozzle Up 2027, will take place from 1 to 3 October 2027 at the Van der Valk Hotel in Eindhoven. Ticket sales start on 1 October 2026.
What is a balloon convention?
For those not in the balloon world this is of course something very new. Balloon conventions are multi-day trade events where artists from all over the world come together. Imagine training in balloon decoration mixed with a festival. That is Nozzle Up! Classes and workshops from international instructors, live demonstrations, large group builds, a big evening gala, fashion show, and above all, lots of people sharing the same passion.
How powerful such a gathering can be is proven by our own history: the founders of Sempertex Europe met each other in the early 2000s at a balloon convention in Belgium. And the rest is history👀
"Nozzle Up is an immersive, loving, educational bath for the balloon artist".
- Sofie Vandewyer, CEO
The story behind Nozzle Up
The dream of having our own convention has existed since the start of Sempertex Europe in 2011, but remained in the background for years. In 2018, the first edition took place, in Germany, chosen because it was beautifully located in the middle of Europe.
That first edition was small and completely handmade. 52 participants, without any real marketing. Since then, Nozzle Up has grown with each edition, moved to the Netherlands, and a full team has come behind it. Nozzle Up consciously broke an old tradition: where conventions used to be mainly twister events, Nozzle Up brings decorators and twisters together, with their own programme for everyone. But the core has never changed: started small, grown large, and still built by people from the community itself. Because the most important thing about Nozzle Up is not the size of the convention, but the atmosphere and the hearts of the community members who are present.
If you want to see the full history, on our YouTube channel you will find a three-part documentary series about how it all began, the previous edition, and what to expect for 2027.
What happens at Nozzle Up?
The programme revolves around three things:
- Learning. Classes and hands-on workshops from international instructors, covering decoration techniques, twisting and large-scale installations to the business side of the profession. For 2027, there are eight teachers scheduled, including world-renowned artist Ting Yu and Sempertex ambassador Denise van Dooren. To see the full line-up, check the official Nozzle Up website.
- Building. Think of live demonstrations, competitions and collaborative builds. The event is designed to be interactive, not just to watch and take notes.
- Meeting. The heart of the event. Meet like-minded people and enjoy a three-day magical outing.
"The meeting other people and the discussions are maybe even more important than just the education".
For whom is Nozzle Up?
For anyone who is professionally involved with balloons or seriously plans to: balloon artists, decorators, twisters, starters, balloon specialty shops... You name it! You don't need years of experience; the classes are structured so that you can participate at any level and learn something new. If you're still unsure whether this profession is for you, first read how to become a balloon artist, and then come back with what you've learned!
As Denise says in her interview:
"The moment you get home, you dive into your business with new insights and new ideas. It just boosts your business on so many levels".
Nozzle Up 2027: what we already can tell
The date is set: 1 to 3 October 2027, at the Van der Valk Hotel in Eindhoven, Netherlands. The tickets are all-inclusive, so your food and drink for the full 3 days are already arranged! Three days of complete focus on the event.
The theme for 2027 is Enchanted. Magical forests, mysterious adventures and visually stunning to build. The decor will be a world you step into, discovering room by room how magical balloons can be. And everything that is built is immediately content and inspiration that participants can take to their own clients.
Sofie says it herself: "this is the best lineup we have ever had. The people we are bringing together for this edition have never stood together anywhere in the world". Eight international teachers of the highest level. The balloon fashion show and competitions are also returning this edition.
Ticket sales open on 1 October 2026. For those who want to be first: sign up for the newsletter, and you will hear it before the rest of the world. More details about teachers, programme and tickets will follow in the coming months, also here on the blog.
