Service: Event PR, Community Outreach, Media Relations
Client: The Great Reno Balloon Race (GRBR) | Project: 38th Annual Festival in Reno, NV
The Challenge
Every September, Reno wakes up to magic in the sky — The Great Reno Balloon Race, the world’s largest free hot-air ballooning event. For its 38th year, GRBR wanted to create a bigger media splash, highlight new special-shaped balloons, and promote Donor Awareness Day on Sunday, Sept. 8.
The Solution: A Story-First PR Strategy
Droptop PR worked hand-in-hand with the GRBR team to tell their story in a way that would warm hearts, drive attendance, and boost national media exposure.
Here’s how we helped:
✅ Engaging Press Releases – Crafted a lively release full of event color, new features, and emotional quotes from GRBR leadership
✅ Media Kit Development – Created downloadable image packs and fact sheets for newsrooms and influencers
✅ Community Awareness Support – Pushed blue-wear support for Donor Awareness Day to local audiences
✅ Nostalgic, Family-Friendly Messaging – Highlighted emotional connections families build at the event, from the Glow Show to Mass Ascension
The Results
Record-breaking press mentions in local and national media
Special shape balloons (like Darth Vader & Billy the Kid) became crowd favorites
A successful and visible Donor Awareness Day with hundreds showing up in blue
An estimated 120,000+ attendees filled the park with joy, awe, and camera flashes
Words That Stuck
“There’s just something about bundling up early and watching these balloons light up the sky,” said GRBR Executive Director Pete Copeland. We made sure that quote landed everywhere — because it told the story perfectly.
An Event That Floated Into Hear
With a mix of family-friendly storytelling, smart press distribution, and beautiful visuals, The Great Reno Balloon Race flew high in both attendance and love from the community. Droptop PR was proud to help bring the story to life
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