Canon Sues Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Wants $250000 Back

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Canon, a long running sponsor of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta has a legal dispute with the event organizers.

Canon asks a $250,000 reimbursement and claims the event organizers violated the terms of a three-year sponsorship agreement. Once more, it’s the Covid pandemic to cause issues. As Yahoo News reports:

The dispute appears to center on whether the 2020 event was “canceled,” as Canon alleges, or “postponed” — the term fiesta organizers have used to describe last year’s shutdown.

In June 2020, fiesta officials announced that last year’s event had been “postponed” until Oct. 2-10, 2021, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In its lawsuit, Canon alleges that “the 2021 Fiesta is not being advertised as the postponed or rescheduled 2020 Fiesta. The 2020 Fiesta was canceled, and the 2021 Fiesta is in fact its own separately-scheduled event.”

To support its allegation, Canon cited a variety of media reports that described the 2020 balloon rally as having been canceled.

So far the event organizers have just answered that the 2021 balloon fiesta will be held beginning October 2, 2021, and that 600 hot-air balloon have been registered.

The 2017 agreement between Canon and the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta organizers obliges Canon to sponsor the event with $720,000, of which $250,000 would have been for the 2020 event.

In July 2020, fiesta organizers sent Canon a proposed amendment that would have extended the terms of the 2017 sponsorship agreement for an additional year, according to the lawsuit.

The amendment also would have applied Canon’s $250,000 sponsorship fee to the 2021 Balloon Fiesta. Fiesta leaders offered Canon the proposed amendment a second time in September.

Canon USA rejected the proposal to extend the sponsorship agreement for a year and now it is a lawsuit.. The full story is at Yahoo News.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta sponsored by Canon

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Canon press release:

Canon U.S.A. Renews Sponsorship of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Canon Will Continue to Engage and Educate Visitors at One of the World’s Most Photographed Events Through 2020

MELVILLE, N.Y., September 21, 2017 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is proud to announce a renewal of its partnership with world-renowned event, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, taking its role as presenting sponsor of the event through 2020. This renewed sponsorship marks Canon’s commitment to the Albuquerque community, an area where Canon calls home to one of the two U.S. support centers that service the Company’s customers. To mark this momentous three-year sponsorship renewal, Canon has and will continue to sponsor the opening Mass Ascension and closing Night Magic™ Glow events.

“It’s been a true honor to serve as the presenting sponsor of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta since 2015,” said Eliott Peck, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “It is a place to let your imagination run wild and is truly awe-inspiring as colorful balloons fill the sky – making it the ideal setting for photographers and videographers to capture spectacular images.”

As one of the most photographed events in the world, the balloon fiesta offers many photo opportunities to create memories of a lifetime. This year’s 46th annual event will take place Oct. 7-15, 2017 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, featuring over 500 hot air and gas balloons, of which the Fiesta anticipates almost 100 of those to be special shaped balloons.

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Canon as the Fiesta’s Presenting Sponsor for the next three years,” said Balloon Fiesta board president, Mike Rice. “This event is a crux of the Albuquerque community and Canon’s support over the years has helped our guests create lasting memories.”

With this renewal, Canon will continue to host hands-on activities, allowing attendees to try its wide array of products to bring their experience to life. Attendees will have the opportunity to borrow the latest Canon equipment* from the Main Street booth where they can also sign up for photo walks and use Canon’s interactive photo booth. Canon imaging experts will also be on site to provide educational experiences to help attendees capture once-in-a- lifetime photos and videos.

About Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is an annual festival of hot air balloons that takes place every October in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. It is the largest gathering of balloons and balloonists in the world. For details on events, schedule, entertainment and photographs visit our website www.balloonfiesta.com and follow us on Twitter @BalloonFiesta and Facebook.

Click here to open the rest of the article