Airstar lighting balloons were used on a number of events surrounding the inauguration of President Obama. The company was snowed under with work for the inauguration celebrations, and achieved its second biggest job in its history (the first being for the Formula 1 night race in Singapore in September 2008).

Ten days before the Presidential Inauguration, Airstar America was contacted for two different jobs in Washington, involving both its event and film/TV departments.

Forty-eight balloons were contracted by Nautilus Entertainment Design to light and d¨¦cor the ballrooms for six inaugural balls. The balls' lighting designer, Jim Tetlow, came up with the idea of using the Airstar balloons. "They balloons were a cost-effective and elegant solution for lighting large areas of the Inaugural balls, said Larry Estrin, technical director for the special events firm Hargrove. "The quality of light and clean, white appearance were ideal for this type of event."

On the same day, 51 units were requested for the Kids' Inaugural Concert, organized by RK production and airing on the Disney Channel. The stage, conceived by art director Kristen Merlino and designer Steve Bass, displayed 3', 6.5' and 8' balloons, with LEDs projecting colors on the units. A third job, for the Day of Service press conference, was contracted on the eve of the event itself.

It was challenge for the company to gather 110 balloons for the celebration in such a short span of time. Airstar's worldwide network rallied and balloons were flown from other countries to Washington, to supplement the U.S. stock (22 balloons sent in three days from Partex, Airstar's distributor in Singapore). The presence of a local distributor, Staged Right, also contributed to the on-site logistics. Only two technicians performed all the work, from set-up to tear-down. David Mohen, executive vice-president of Airstar America, asserts: "As a small company, we realized our greatest strength is the solidarity of our network. The inaugural celebrations were the most globally visible and emotionally charged events I have had the opportunity to manage."

Airstar America is a subsidiary of a French company created in 1994. Airstar is the inventor and worldwide leader of lighting balloons, and does business in three main markets: construction/rescue, events (Sydney Olympic Games, Super bowl...) and film/TV.