It’s that time of year! Your AAAA Board is looking for submissions for the Bob Ruppenthal Education Award and the P.B. “Slim” Rawley Crew Award!

Do you know somebody who’s gone above-and-beyond to support the ballooning community, AAAA, and/or your balloon team? Nominate them for one of these awards and give them the recognition they deserve!

DEADLINE to submit nominations:

Monday, March 11, 2024

at 11:59 pm Mountain Time

Award winners will be announced at the

AAAA Annual Meeting on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.

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Bob Ruppenthal Education Award

This award is given in honor of Bob Ruppenthal, a charter member of AAAA, and an avid balloonist, who chaired the first AAAA Education Committee.

First awarded in 1981, this award is presented to an AAAA member who has contributed significantly to the education of others in the areas of balloon safety and operation.

This person must have contributed significantly in time and effort and must have participated actively in the organization and/or instruction of ground schools and safety seminars for AAAA and/or the ballooning community at large.

Click on this link to submit a nomination: https://www.cognitoforms.com/aaaa23/_2024bobruppenthaleducationawardnomination

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P.B. “Slim” Rawley Crew Award

This award is given in honor of P.B. “Slim” Rawley, a AAAA member since 1976 and an avid, dedicated crew member.

It is presented to an AAAA member who has contributed significantly to the sport of hot air ballooning. The recipient should be someone who has distinguished him/herself in support of ballooning through such activities as participating as a crew member, observer, scorer, event volunteer, AAAA committee member, or goodwill ambassador to the community.

This award was created to go to the “unsung hero” who has gone above and beyond to promote, expand, and support the sport of hot air ballooning.

Click on this link to submit a nomination: https://www.cognitoforms.com/aaaa23/_2024slimrawleycrewawardnomination