MEDIA
Michigan business owner chosen among the balloon industry’s top educators to help professionals from around the world attract and serve corporate clients.
NORTHVILLE, Mich. — While many people think of balloons as party decorations, Detroit native Julie Cylla has spent more than two decades proving they can be powerful tools for branding, engagement, and creating unforgettable experiences.
That expertise has earned Cylla international recognition and, most recently, the distinction of being selected twice as a panelist for FULCRUM, an official educational event held by FLOAT, one of the balloon industry’s most respected professional development organizations.
Cylla first appeared as a FULCRUM panelist in 2025 in Lombard, Illinois, near Chicago. Following the success of that appearance, she was invited back in 2026 to Reno, Nevada, where FULCRUM was held during the FLOAT Balloon Convention and sponsored by Premier Balloon Imports.
Designed for balloon artists, decorators, and business owners seeking to elevate their skills and strengthen their businesses, FULCRUM brings together some of the industry’s most accomplished educators, innovators, and thought leaders from around the world.
Being selected once is considered a professional achievement. Being selected twice places Cylla among a small group of industry experts trusted to help shape the future of the profession.
“FULCRUM brings together some of the brightest minds in our industry,” said Cylla. “To be invited back a second time is an incredible honor. It reinforces the value of helping balloon professionals think beyond décor and understand how strategic experiences can create meaningful results for clients.”
As founder and CEO of Top Notch Balloon Creations, Cylla has built a business model that differs significantly from traditional balloon décor companies.
Rather than focusing solely on decorations, her company specializes in creating immersive brand experiences that help organizations increase engagement, strengthen brand visibility, celebrate milestones, recognize employees, and create memorable event experiences.
Her FULCRUM presentation, “Choosing Your Customer,” focused on helping fellow industry professionals understand how to identify their ideal clients and build sustainable businesses around serving them.
Drawing from years of experience working with corporations, educational institutions, and major event producers, Cylla shared strategies for attracting corporate clients, building trust with decision-makers, and positioning balloon décor as a valuable business investment rather than a commodity purchase.
“My business philosophy has always been centered around creating impact, experiences, branding, and engagement,” Cylla explained. “When you understand who your customer is and what challenges they are trying to solve, you can create far more value than simply delivering a product.”
Known throughout the industry as an international instructor, speaker, and multiple international award-winning designer, Cylla has traveled extensively to study advanced techniques, educate professionals, and contribute to large-scale charitable balloon projects around the world.
Her company, Top Notch Balloon Creations, has become known for delivering high-profile installations and branded experiences for organizations seeking elevated event environments and exceptional client service.
Today, the company is recognized as one of Michigan’s leading providers of corporate balloon décor and experiential event branding, serving clients who value professionalism, creativity, reliability, and measurable impact.
Industry leaders note that Cylla’s success stems not only from her artistic talent but also from her ability to bridge the gap between creativity and business strategy, a skill that continues to make her a sought-after educator and speaker.
As the balloon industry continues to evolve, professionals like Cylla are helping redefine what balloon décor can accomplish, transforming it from simple decoration into a powerful tool for communication, engagement, and brand storytelling.
About Julie Cylla
Julie Cylla is a Detroit native, international balloon artist, instructor, speaker, and founder of Top Notch Balloon Creations. With more than 20 years of experience, she is recognized for creating large-scale corporate installations, branded event experiences, and innovative balloon décor solutions. A three-time award-winning designer, Cylla is dedicated to advancing professionalism within the balloon industry while helping organizations create impactful and memorable experiences.
About Top Notch Balloon Creations
Top Notch Balloon Creations is a certified, award-winning balloon décor company based in Northville, Michigan, specializing in corporate events, branded experiences, large-scale installations, grand openings, employee engagement events, and custom event décor. The company serves organizations throughout Michigan and beyond, helping clients create meaningful experiences that elevate their brands and engage their audiences.
Media Contact
Julie Cylla
Top Notch Balloon Creations
Phone: 1-247-946-1161
Email: [info@topnotchballooncreations.com](mailto:info@topnotchballooncreations.com)
Website: [www.topnotchballooncreations.com](http://www.topnotchballooncreations.com)
Balloon and Beyond: Making a Difference One Balloon At A Time
Julie Cylla, CBA owner of Top Notch Balloon Creations has been selected and to lead a talented team of international Balloon Professionals, tasked with creating a gigantic immersive Balloon Wonderland using more than 100,000 balloons all in aid of Operation Breakthrough.
As part of one of the biggest most unique projects, Julie Cylla, will be using her skills she has developed over the last 20 + Years to create a magical enchanted journey to Toyland with 65 other Balloon Professionals who will be leaving their businesses for five days to create this incredible project for children and family in need in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.
The Producer of the event Stuart Davies said “We are thrilled to have been granted the licensing rights to recreate several famous HASBRO toys within the build, completely out of balloons. What an amazing event this is, Julie is going to be part of so many of these iconic pieces that are loved throughout the world … all in support of ‘Operation Breakthrough’, demonstrating how the joy of balloons can also make a difference to the lives of so many.”
Operation Breakthrough provides a safe, loving and educational environment for children in poverty and empowers their families through advocacy, emergency aid and education Operation Breakthrough is a nationally accredited, not-for-profit corporation that began in 1971
Julie is excited to contribute her creativity to help make a difference in the world.
For more information about Top Notch Balloon Creations visit (https://topnotchballooncreation.com) www. Topnotchballooncreation. com ( https://topnotchballooncreation.com/ )
Contact
Julie Cylla, CBA
Topnotchballooncreation. com ( https://topnotchballooncreation.com/ )
info@ topnotchballooncreation. com ( info@topnotchballooncreation.com )
313-384-8245
Local Artist helps build Balloon Wonderland to Raise over $50,000 for Give Kids the World Village
Northville, Mi – Julie Cylla from Top Notch Balloon Creations helped Give Kids The World Village raise over $50,000 by presenting the Qualatex Balloon Wonderland.
In July 2022, Julie worked with 300 other balloon professionals at Orlando’s Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress to recreate a kids’ charity resort and raise donations.
Using 500,000 Qualatex balloons, they created a life-sized reproduction of Give Kids The World Village, a charity resort in Kissimmee, FL, that provides critically sick children and their families free week-long dream vacations.
Balloon artists like Julie from 46 different countries were chosen to build life-size replicas of seven iconic Village venues where guests may roam around the replicas and be amazed by them. This took over 15,000 hours and 500,000 biodegradable balloons.
Pamela Landwirth, the president and CEO of Give Kids The World, said, “Children with critical illnesses have a lot of appointments, treatments, and hospital stays, and they are often told ‘no’ because their illness limits them.” With the help of Pioneer Balloon Company and Julie Cylla of Top Notch Balloon Creations, we can give these children and their families a magical week of ‘yes’ where they may forget their worries, experience joy, and create unforgettable memories in a storybook oasis.
Give Kids the World constructed the Balloon Wonderland over the course of five days by creating the most challenging, beautiful balloon structures. The charity utilized the event to raise awareness and funds for Wish Kids with terminal illnesses.
Julie said that being able to use her talent to help so many kids and their families was the best thing she had ever done in her life. “This is my third time participating in a build like this, and I’m always happy to give back. The finest part is seeing the joy on the faces of the children and parents. “
Giving is always better than receiving. I’ve also included my local work as well.
Michigan Business Wins #LiftUpSomebody Photo Contest
Trenton, N.J. – Julie Cylla of Michigan, has been named a winner in the International Balloon Month #LiftUpSomebody photo contest sponsored by The Balloon Council (TBC).
The contest asks balloon enthusiasts around the world to post their best photos on social media to show how they used balloons to “lift up” somebody in their local community as part of the #LiftUpSomebody campaign.
“TBC would like to congratulate all of the winners, and thank all of the people who posted photos this year,” said Lorna O’Hara Executive Director of The Balloon Council.
The Balloon Council (TBC), a non-profit organization made up of responsible retailers, distributors, and manufacturers that are dedicated to educating others about the wonders of balloons and the proper handling of them.”
Cylla, owner of Top Notch Balloon Creations won first place in the “Best Promotion of Smart Balloon Practices” category.
Top Notch Balloon Creations (Michigan) had an awesome display sharing our message “Don’t Let Go: Inflate. Weight. Enjoy.” (winning entry picture below).
Check them out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/topnotchballooncreations/
Cylla’s winning photo will be on display during the FLOAT 2020 Convention on Jan. 26.- 30 in St. Louis, Missouri, featured on the TBC website and social media platforms, and she will receive a gift basket filled with the hottest trending balloon items from contest sponsors Anagram, Betallic and Qualatex.
Invitation to attend the 2019 Big Balloon Build in Wales, UK
Julie Cylla, Certified Balloon Artist, of Top Notch Balloon Creations located in Northville, Michigan, invited to the 2019 Big Balloon Build in Wales, Uk. Has been invited again for 2020.
“We used over 60,000 air-filled balloons to build an enchanted forest adventure for the local children with disabilities. Stuart Davies shared his visual of what he wanted to accomplish in 3 days. “A 12’ x 24’ Giant Children’s Story Book as the entrance into the fairy forest. The fairy in the story book would ask the question, “Are you ready for an adventure to Santa’s Village through the Enchanted Forest?” and would instruct the children that the only way in is through the Magic Book.
The magic book and fairy forest trail was built inside the Tonyrefail Leisure Centre Gym/Physical Fitness Center’s 60’ x 110’ basketball court – Tonyrefail, United Kingdom. Three times the size of any prior Big Balloon Build projects. (Facebook video link)
https://www.facebook.com/stuart.davies.9231/videos/3336370726379070/
I wanted to be a part of the Big Balloon Build when I first heard about it in 2018 from Liz Romaniz, another balloon artist of Valley Party Supplies, while attending a balloon workshop in Florida. She was the first American to be invited. I went through a selection process before receiving the invitation to join the Big Balloon Build Team. I was ready and willing to commit 3 days in the UK and to work from Sunup to Sundown on whatever project I was assigned to do.
Before arriving in the UK, Stuart Davies suggested to the team to get familiar with the word Cwtch, (pronounced kutch) it is probably the most significant word in Wales and the Welsh language, and to Welsh People.
‘Cwtch’ has no literal English translation, but is an emotionally significant embrace and an intrinsically Welsh word that evokes a sense of home
“A Cwtch is what parents give to their child if they fall over, it’s something a husband and wife do to show how much they love each other. It’s what you give friends when they’re stressed or sad.
My first day in Wales was a bit of figuring it out because my flight arrived after the build started and I had to catch a cab to the center.
The cab driver drove through the narrow streets and stopped for me to take photos of hills with sheeps that looked like little white cloud spots,and the Gingerbread looking homes. Lol. Once I arrived at the center, Davies divided four to five teams of volunteers and assigned them to team leaders to execute his vision.
I immediately jumped into action. ”For me, it didn’t feel like a challenge when I heard how many balloons were expected to create the build. It felt like balloon paradise, total paradise to be surrounded by balloon artists around the round, focused on creating the vision. From what I understand, we finished before the expected deadline. It was amazing. We stopped for lunch and dined for dinner as a team. I believe we dined at the Beefeaters restaurant. The service, food and drinks were delicious and my experience there will never be forgotten .
“I felt privileged to be part of the Big Balloon Build, and meeting people that volunteer their time to travel to the UK for a cause. I can’t imagine what Davies has planned for us in December.
What to know, follow me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/topnotchballooncreations/
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