PGI Convention
Join/Renew
A new membership
site is on the way!
If you are not already
a member or your
membership has lapsed,
you can still join or
renew by clicking
HERE.
NOTE: Membership is valid for 365 days
from the date joined
----------------------
Renewals add 365 days from
the current expiration date
For sign-up/renewal support
contact membership@pgi.org
For webpage or password support
contact support@pgi.org
Important Dates
2023 PGI CONVENTION
Oshkosh, WI - See Convention Page
August 12-18, 2023
The May 2023 PGI Bulletin No. 231 has a deadline of APR 15, 2023.
The 2024 PGI Calendar Photos have a due date of Oct 15, 2023.
Submit PGI Bulletin items or PGI Calendar photos to: VPComm@pgi.org
CHANGES AND UPDATES
The 2023 Convention
location is:
Sunnyview Expo Center - Oshkosh, WI
500 E County Rd Y, Oshkosh, WI 54901
Use WatchThatPage.com
to get updates for webpage changes.
‘
OSHKOSH IS APPROVED - SEE YOU THERE!
AUGUST 12-18, 2023
The Town Board of the Town of Oshkosh unanimously voted last night to approve our fireworks permit. We can now move on to working on other key details for our 2023 convention at Sunnyview Expo Center. This is another new site and one that has real potential to be part of our rotation among several convention sites. We are handling the organization and set up for on-site camping and will be making the members aware of what is available at Sunnyview soon.
Our Vice President of Communications, Craig Foster is currently working on updating the forms for the 2023 convention in Oshkosh, WI.
We announced last year that we have engaged Dwight Odelius of Go Creative Arts to further improve and maintain our online system and website. He has worked on our website and you are now seeing the updated version of pgi.org. This is a work in progress and more is to be added and updated. So, check back and see the changes being made. If something disappeared it will be back as he moves things to their place on the updated website. (Please note: pgi.org is the public website. The member only site is accessible via the Member Access tab at the top of the page - use your usual login information). If you see an issue or have an idea to improve our web presence, please send a note to board@pgi.org.
As things continue to come together for the 2023 Convention be aware that we will have public displays on Sunday night and Friday night. Our business manager is finishing up our display lineup and we will get that out once it is complete, later this Spring.
On behalf of the PGI Board,
Paul
Family Friendly
The PGI convention is a family friendly event. Families can enjoy shooting consumer fireworks together, watch displays and participating in seminars. The convention also has special youth oriented activities through the Junior Pyrotechnics Association (JPA) – a ‘club within a club’ that is made up of youth, aged 6 to 17, who are either related to a PGI member or who are PGI members on their own. Under adult supervision, the JPA plans, organizes and presents their own fireworks display using consumer fireworks on Wednesday night of the convention.
Educational
Learn the art of fireworks from members who have advanced skills and are recognized for their capabilities.
There is a full week of lectures, seminars and classes on everything from how various fireworks are made to creating musically choreographed displays that move your audience to tears. There are even ‘hands-on’ classes and you get to make a firework to fire that evening, or participate in setting up a display. Where the participant is building a shell or rocket work as part of the course, there may be a small fee for materials.
The PGI’s Nationally Recognized Display Operator’s Course is presented every year at the convention.
Safety and safe practices are the backbone of the PGI. You’ll learn how to make, use, store, and transport fireworks safely both for you and your audience.
Manufacturing opportunities
Facilities are provided for members to conduct certain types of fireworks manufacturing activities under safe and controlled guidelines. Seminars, workshops, and member experts show you how.
Consumer fireworks vending and open shooting
Nightly open shooting of consumer and display fireworks nightly (Class B and C). There are wholesale vendors right on site where you can buy consumer fireworks and walk to an open shooting area set up with everything you need to safely shoot your purchases. There are friendly safety personnel on hand to help if you have any questions or need help using your fireworks.
World Class Fireworks Displays
During the week there are nightly fireworks displays, both traditional and pyro-musicals, fireworks product demonstrations and displays of many kinds. The final night includes the "All Stars" display featuring the work of the PGI’s most talented fireworks makers. This is where the best of the best is seen.
Fireworks Competition
There are fireworks competitions for judging ember’s pyro manufacturing skills Members can compete to be judged under rules for many categories of display. These can be aerial shells, ground displays, proximate shows, class C extravaganzas, etc.
Trade Show and supplies vending
A large room or a building is allocated for the sale of fireworks related T-shirts, tools, books, and memorabilia related to fireworks. There is also a supplies vending area where fireworks related supplies are available.
Collectors Corner
There is a dedicated area for collectors to display and sell their historic fireworks memorabilia.
Art Show
There is an art show where members exhibit their fireworks related creations – including paintings and drawings, photographs, sculptures and a popular feature are the fireworks related quilts that many bring to display. The membership gets plenty of opportunity to appreciate their fellow member’s artistic talents and vote for winners in the various art categories.
Auction
Each year there is an auction where many interesting pyro-related items are available to the highest bidder. Items include fireworks related books and literature, pyro tools, firing systems, pyro collectables and historical items, consumer fireworks, and many other pyro-related items.
Banquet
On Friday afternoon there is the Annual Banquet. This is where awards for the competitors are presented, including the coveted Grand Master Award. It is a fun occasion with a buffet dinner preceded by a social hour.