PGI Convention 2017 Fargo, North Dakota

[Rick_In_Tampa]

Hey there fellow pyros! I'm headed to the PGI convention in Fargo in a few weeks. Just wondering if any of you were headed that way too. Maybe we can get together for a beer or two between shoots. Always nice to be able to put a face to a name.

Let me know! :cool:

[PYRODAN]

I would like to go, but I need to save the vacation time to go pick my son up in September from Parris Island. One more hard charging Devil Dog !!! (If he makes it.) Maybe next year. I am going to try to get to a few demos next year.

[displayfireworks1]

Wow, that great you are heading to the PGI. Let us know how things go. I will not be there this year.

[kingsixx]

I would like to go, but I need to save the vacation time to go pick my son up in September from Parris Island. One more hard charging Devil Dog !!! (If he makes it.) Maybe next year. I am going to try to get to a few demos next year.

Semper Fi PYRODAN. Nice to see a fellow Devil Dog with a passion for fireworks. Good luck to your boy, I'm sure he'll be fine.

3/7 India Co
WPNS Plt
0331

[PYRODAN]

Marine Aviation logistics Squadron-16: 6132
Heavy Marine Helicopter Squadron-466: 6113

[chriskrc]

I would like to go, but I need to save the vacation time to go pick my son up in September from Parris Island. One more hard charging Devil Dog !!! (If he makes it.) Maybe next year. I am going to try to get to a few demos next year.

That's awesome pyrodan, I was an Army grunt but good luck to your son and hopefully he makes it. Hopefully one year I will get to pgi or some other events and meet a few fellow pyros.

[joed2323]

Never been to a pgi event ever.

I live in Western North Dakota, when is this event, does anyone have any info on where at in Fargo this event is and how much does it cost to attend?

[PYRODAN]

https://www.pgi.org/convention/2017/

[Daniel]

I am going to be attending the convention. This is the first year in PGI. Don't know what to expect.;)

[Daniel]

@displayfireworks1
I was hoping to meet you there. Oh well maybe next year.

[displayfireworks1]

Take some pictures of the fireworks for sale. I would love to see them. I hope you enjoy yourself at the event.

[joed2323]

Anyone know what days they are doing training seminars, and if their is a way to sign up in advance or before a person arrives? on the website it shows seminars up to may, I probably wasn't looking in the right spot?

[Daniel]

pgi.org under convention it gives the schedule. Training for the DOC is all day Wednesday August 9th. You can still sign up by sending the registration form and paying with credit card. But sense I am new to the PGI I am not positive. You could call and talk to Julie Wozniak Tel.: (219) 872-2503 or E-mail: membership@pgi.org
Not sure exactly when she is leaving for Fargo ND
Just my thoughts.

[joed2323]

Wow that kinda sucks that the training is only one day during the event? Kinda makes it tough for people that work ... Sounds like a sick day is in order

[Rick_In_Tampa]

Take some pictures of the fireworks for sale. I would love to see them. I hope you enjoy yourself at the event.

Will do. As a veteran PGI attendee, do you have any advice for us new guys? Anything we need to make sure we attend? Anything we should stay away from? Any tips/tricks/recommendations would be appreciated.

[cherrybomb1]

Dave,You ever consider designing some T-shirts that support your website that your members could wear to events like this?.I see a lot shit being talked about your forum on another website.Personally if it wasn't for Pyrotalk.com i wouldn't have shot my show this year with a Cobra 18r2 and 2 18m modules and saved a bundle of money thru Wf boom.Keep up the good work and hopefully ill be able to throw in some 1.3 into the mix someday!

[PyroManiacs]

He actually did have apparel for sale at one point.

[displayfireworks1]

At cherrybomb1 thanks for the words of support. At one time I had a T-Shirt for pyrotalk. I may design another one in the future. That stuff you read only has entertainment value at this point. As far as I can see, I have the support of the main players in the industry. Stay focused it sounds like you are heading in the right direction. I hope the PGI heads in the right direction. Unfortunately some of the old PGI leadership is still in the same positions. If you new to the PGI just go and have a good time, whatever the politics are, it should not change the overall experience of the average member attending.

[joewad]

Would love to go but can't I'm sure it will be cooler in temp than Indiana's heat and humidity was last year.

http://www.pyrotalk.com/bulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=2567&stc=1

[cherrybomb1]

Rick_In_Tampa.You getting ready for the PGI convention?.How many days your wife letting you stay out there?.Have a good time and can't wait to see some pictures.

[Rick_In_Tampa]

Rick_In_Tampa.You getting ready for the PGI convention?.How many days your wife letting you stay out there?.Have a good time and can't wait to see some pictures.

Arrived yesterday. I'll be here all week and head home Saturday. Signed up for the Safety Team and sat on the C line until 10pm last night. Not a great turnout so far, but it was only day 1 and an unofficial day anyway. Only 4 vendors this year. 3 showed up, 1 is MIA. The cake prices are ridiculous. They have 200G cakes they're asking $2.99 for, and 500G cakes anywhere from $25 to $100 each. Definitely not offering any "deals" here. One vendor showed up on the C line last night to demo their products. They had a cake flip over and shoot a car driving down the road. Not cool. Main festivities kick off today. Some very nice rockets and large shells went up last night. Looking forward to today's festivities. Nothing opens in Fargo until noon on Sundays!!

[jknepp1954]

Wow - not surprising though.
Who didn't show up?

[PyroManiacs]

...and 500G cakes anywhere from $25 to $100 each. Definitely not offering any "deals" here.

Hah, why even bother buying anything at all in 500G items? If I wanted to I can pay that at a local store without even having to travel to the convention for it. LOL.
They know they have everyone by the balls and are going to pay it if it comes down to that.

[Pyropug]

My wife and I got here late last night and checked into hotel. First day today, we where able to get signed up for a few seminars, which was unexpected coming in late. We checked out everything except the class c vending, we just left the grounds for dinner and will check out the vending area for maybe a good laugh later. I see not a whole lot of spent product out there. Tomorrow we are suppose to help out on a class c unlimited show and the 2 seminars we got into at last minute. We already claimed our show viewing seating, LOL. Met a few interesting characters. So far its been pretty good. Also doing the DOC on Wednesday. Gonna hopefully check out Starr sometime this week.

[Rick_In_Tampa]

Wow - not surprising though.
Who didn't show up?

Not sure. TNT is here. Phantom is here, and one other I've never heard of American Pyrotechnic or something to that effect. Been working 12 hour days since I arrived so my brain is mush right now. I have lots of videos and some pictures to post. I'm no You Tube guru like Dave, but my plan is to get them all uploaded as soon as I can. the first one is uploading now.

Of particular news for you, word is the board of directors has decided that they're going to return to how they used to do business with regard to the vendors. So it looks like the issues from last year are going to be laid to rest now.

[Rick_In_Tampa]

Tomorrow we are suppose to help out on a class c unlimited show

I'm working the C line all week 5pm - 1am except Wed when I'm taking the DOC. Stop by and say hello!

[Rick_In_Tampa]

They know they have everyone by the balls and are going to pay it if it comes down to that.

If that's what they know, they're learning they don't know enough, because people are not buying anything. The class C line opens at 5pm. We didn't have our first pyro show up until after 8pm. Then they're mainly shooting off firecrackers and roman candles. Very few are shooting cakes. one couple is here from California and the lady told me the prices are high, but they can't get this stuff in California so they're willing to pay the price here. Those folks are few and far between.

[cherrybomb1]

Not sure. TNT is here. Phantom is here, and one other I've never heard of American Pyrotechnic or something to that effect. Been working 12 hour days since I arrived so my brain is mush right now. I have lots of videos and some pictures to post. I'm no You Tube guru like Dave, but my plan is to get them all uploaded as soon as I can. the first one is uploading now.

Of particular news for you, word is the board of directors has decided that they're going to return to how they used to do business with regard to the vendors. So it looks like the issues from last year are going to be laid to rest now.

I've never been to one of these events but would like to attend next year in Iowa.What kind of work are you talking about?.

[displayfireworks1]

Rick thanks for posting your updates. I believe this is your first PGI convention. Sounds like you are really involved, that is great. Looking for ward to the pictures and video.

[Rick_In_Tampa]

I've never been to one of these events but would like to attend next year in Iowa.What kind of work are you talking about?.

You can attend all kinds of workshops or just walk around and be a spectator. You can also volunteer to be on any number of teams. There's a safety team, a security team, a build team, a maintenance team, a medic team, etc. and so forth. I volunteered to be on the safety team. In that capacity you can choose to monitor the B line (1.3 stuff) or the C line (1.4 stuff). It's strictly volunteer so you can come and go as you please. It doesn't hinder your ability to enjoy everything going on. For example, tomorrow I'll be in the Display Operator Course all day. Yesterday we sat in on the linear salute building class. Good stuff!!

[Rick_In_Tampa]

Rick thanks for posting your updates. I believe this is your first PGI convention. Sounds like you are really involved, that is great. Looking for ward to the pictures and video.

I'm doing my best to take it all in Dave!! I just got done posting videos on my You Tube channel (Pyro In Tampa). I'll try to throw some links up on here later. I need to get going now though.
I didn't forget about you either!! I videoed all of the vendor tables. Hopefully you can make out the pricing and product info. I didn't think everyone else would be interested in that, so I didn't put them on my You Tube site. Let me know how you want me to get those to you.

[Rick_In_Tampa]

Okay... My pyro buddy is running late so here are some links to some of the videos I just posted...

Random pictures
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLQ8htHi4-M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLQ8htHi4-M
.
Open Ceremonies - National Anthem
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbRmi0ESLHM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbRmi0ESLHM
.

Casabella Demo - There are 5 videos for this!! The battery in the laptop used to run the demo died. So they had to keep restarting the demo. Ergo, 5 videos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsmBAT2Z9II

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsmBAT2Z9II
.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=be16gKaYfo4
.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMqxsm3td5c
.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04ln0fhYL6s

[displayfireworks1]

Thanks for taking the time to post some video. I would enjoy seeing the consumer fireworks vending when you find the time post it. No hurry continue to enjoy your time at the event. Shoot me an email when you get them on youtube I'll help you post them if you need help. I see them on your channel. You can also email me pictures if you want I can help those also.
.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvcYZ6bF2A0
.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbRmi0ESLHM

[RalphieJ]

The pyro for the National Anthem was pathetic. Two "rockets" for rockets red glare and what 5 salutes for bombs bursting in air? It should have been a flash curtain of 50+ salutes. Disgrazia. Beautifully and respectfully sung, however.

[Pyropug]

class C vending is ridiculous, the only allowed companies TNT, Phantom, Winco and FOA are way overpriced and a very slim selection. Good news though, next years vending will be opened up again like the past with some new rules on overloads. I will try to get some pics to post, of the oppressive class c vending area. When I hear/see something being shot over there it makes me sick. I guess that a small number of folks are not in the know.

[Rick_In_Tampa]

That's pretty much the feedback we've been getting from people. There were 3 people in the vending area last night at one point. Scott Smith and his crew from Cobra came through and I think they had two cases of cakes. That is the most anyone has brought to the C line all week so far.

[Rick_In_Tampa]

Here are a few more vids from opening night...

Memorial hand lit show for long time PGI member who just passed away.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qiEnqBr-oc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qiEnqBr-oc
Large shell competition part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHlD8ZnwvAc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHlD8ZnwvAc

Large shell competition part 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb-E4u_FPJ8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb-E4u_FPJ8
Rocket competition
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epl6mBn16FU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epl6mBn16FU

[cherrybomb1]

class C vending is ridiculous, the only allowed companies TNT, Phantom, Winco and FOA are way overpriced and a very slim selection. Good news though, next years vending will be opened up again like the past with some new rules on overloads. I will try to get some pics to post, of the oppressive class c vending area. When I hear/see something being shot over there it makes me sick. I guess that a small number of folks are not in the know.

Hey Rick!.Just saw your you tube videos,they should hand out jars of K-Y-Jelly before entering those Class C tents.Keep up the good work!.Dave should put you on his payroll.lol

[Pyropug]

update class c vendors drastically cut their prices Tuesday night, over heard winco rep complaining they have a contract to 1am and the shooting was shut down by 11pm, he was pretty upset.

[Rick_In_Tampa]

Hey Rick!.Just saw your you tube videos,they should hand out jars of K-Y-Jelly before entering those Class C tents.Keep up the good work!.Dave should put you on his payroll.lol

Thank you Sir! I think Dave's You Tube status is safe for the time being. Lol... Not my forte at all. I do love the pyro I've been watching though. Scott smith from Cobra has some really neat gadgets and much bigger mods coming out soon too! So be on the lookout.

I am pissed about one thing though... I bought 3 T-shirts yesterday and then today they started selling them buy one get one free. Oh well.... I did take and pass the display operator course today. So it wasn't a total loss.

[Pyropug]

We where in that course as well, and passed. looked like a quite a few fails happened.

[Rick_In_Tampa]

update class c vendors drastically cut their prices Tuesday night, over heard winco rep complaining they have a contract to 1am and the shooting was shut down by 11pm, he was pretty upset.

The Winco rep is FOS. I've been working the "C" line since I arrived Saturday. The "C" line has been open all night every night. His folks came over 2 days ago to do an unannounced demo, and they were telling the people who were there shooting that they had to stop during their demo. Then they were pissed because the people shooting kept shooting. It's clear these vendors have no idea how this is supposed to work. Then today a PGI guy came over with a sign he wanted posted that said people can only shoot "PGI purchased items" on the "C" line. He had no idea how he expected us to enforce this. Needless to say, as long as everyone was being safe, they could shoot whatever they brought.

Obviously, there's much work that needs to be done with regard to the vendors.

[Rick_In_Tampa]

We where in that course as well, and passed. looked like a quite a few fails happened.

That course was a hot mess. I get that they wanted to update their slide deck and keep things current and relevant. But I would expect that the instructors came prepared to brief the new material. It was clear that none of them (expect the guy who created the slide deck!) were familiar with the material. that was pretty disappointing. I could go on but..... I passed so. Yay...

[Rick_In_Tampa]

Casabella's second show of the convention.

https://youtu.be/9OKep2bdyMc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OKep2bdyMc&feature=youtu.be

[PyroDre]

i wonder what's causing that weird "duck" sound in the vids.. maybe an echo from a nearby structure?

[PyroManiacs]

i wonder what's causing that weird "duck" sound in the vids.. maybe an echo from a nearby structure?

Ive been on many displays and have heard sounds like this, lol.

[Rick_In_Tampa]

i wonder what's causing that weird "duck" sound in the vids.. maybe an echo from a nearby structure?

We're sitting about 20' from aluminum bleachers. It's the shock wave of the pyrotechnics reverberating off the bleachers.

[PyroDre]

We're sitting about 20' from aluminum bleachers. It's the shock wave of the pyrotechnics reverberating off the bleachers.
funny you said that.. i shot a show right near a high school stadium and those bleachers made a sound like someone was cracking a whip LOL

fun stuff

[Rick_In_Tampa]

We got rained out last night, so there's a jam packed schedule tonight. The JPA starts the festivities, followed by Spirit of 76, and then a big commercial vendor I've never heard of has a 32 min show going up. We're told they have multiple strings of 8's going up, and five 16" shells. Should be one hell of a good time. I'll try to post those videos as soon as I get a chance.

Here are some vids from a few nights ago.

Northern Lighters Show

https://youtu.be/ebhReWm-WGg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebhReWm-WGg&feature=youtu.be

Class C Show Competition 1

https://youtu.be/xSk4q_-laBE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSk4q_-laBE&feature=youtu.be

Class C Show Competition 2

https://youtu.be/svPnOVE-GwE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svPnOVE-GwE&feature=youtu.be

[displayfireworks1]

Rick, thanks for taking the time to get some video and posting it. What day are the election of open officer positions? If and when you hear the results let us know. No hurry, enjoy yourself with the time you have there.

[Pyropug]

Rick, thanks for taking the time to get some video and posting it. What day are the election of open officer positions? If and when you hear the results let us know. No hurry, enjoy yourself with the time you have there.

Vote was today Enzer Vs. Steinberg

[Rick_In_Tampa]

Vote was today Enzer Vs. Steinberg

I'm told Steinberg won by 26 votes.

[Pyropug]

I'm told Steinberg won by 26 votes.

Must have been the vote of the old crowd, I'm surprised, there was a lot of support for Enzor. So nothing changes, status quo.

[Rick_In_Tampa]

Here are a few more shows from PGI you might enjoy.

The All Star Show

https://youtu.be/-hmCk_Op3is

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hmCk_Op3is&feature=youtu.be

Spirit of 76 Show 2 - All Class "C" Stuff!!

https://youtu.be/8b2kzZDVRBw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8b2kzZDVRBw&feature=youtu.be

Hollywood Pyrotechnic Show

https://youtu.be/mhPSJUREfys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhPSJUREfys&feature=youtu.be

[PyroDre]

i saw in the pictures that they had some 16 inch guns out there. Did they shoot any 16 inch shells?

[Rick_In_Tampa]

i saw in the pictures that they had some 16 inch guns out there. Did they shoot any 16 inch shells?

Absolutely!! Filled the sky. next year at Mason City I'm told they're bringing some 24" guns. :cool:

[PyroDre]

Absolutely!! Filled the sky. next year at Mason City I'm told they're bringing some 24" guns. :cool:any footage?

[PyroDre]

BTW that Vortex firework show is one of the best shows i have ever seen..

if it was a competition they should have won

[Rick_In_Tampa]

any footage?

Hmmmmmmmmm...... I *believe* they were part of the Casabella Day 2 video I posted earlier. Around 3:36 I believe, and 10:34 and 10:52 are a few.

[Rick_In_Tampa]

BTW that Vortex firework show is one of the best shows i have ever seen..

if it was a competition they should have won

OMG... Hands down the best. Certainly the best finale I've ever sat under. For whatever reason I forgot to upload that show. It's uploading now!! I'll post the link shortly.

[Rick_In_Tampa]

Vortex Fireworks Show. IMHO the best show of the entire convention. Without a doubt the best salute finale I've ever sat under. The video doesn't do it justice.

https://youtu.be/UafPp_WTQ4w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UafPp_WTQ4w&feature=youtu.be

[South Carolina Mike]

Very nice!

[cherrybomb1]

Vortex Fireworks Show. IMHO the best show of the entire convention. Without a doubt the best salute finale I've ever sat under. The video doesn't do it justice.

https://youtu.be/UafPp_WTQ4w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UafPp_WTQ4w&feature=youtu.be

That was great!.I don't know how you keep your camera so steady.You using a tripod?.I always feel I'm missing out on something when I'm recording certain events.

[Rick_In_Tampa]

That was great!.I don't know how you keep your camera so steady.You using a tripod?.I always feel I'm missing out on something when I'm recording certain events.

Believe it or not, I hold it in my hand the whole time. I'm usually sitting so I can balance it on my leg and watch through the little 1"x2" screen that swings out from the side. I don't like to use a tripod because some of these shows are so big you can't get it all in the shot. So I want to be able to pan around (and zoom in and out if necessary) to get everything I want to get.

The finale to this show was just insane! Definitely should have wore some ear plugs for that one. Oh well... Lol...

[bohicarlp]

On the Class C Show Competition 2 video, can anyone tell me what cakes that are going off at the 0:35 mark? By the way thinks for all the updates Rick.

[PyroManiacs]

That was an awesome show by Vortex!

[Rick_In_Tampa]

On the Class C Show Competition 2 video, can anyone tell me what cakes that are going off at the 0:35 mark? By the way thinks for all the updates Rick.

Thanks bohicarlp! It was a lot of fun taking the videos.

I'll take a look at the video when I get home (can't get to You Tube at work) and see if I can figure out which cake you're referring to. Spirit of 76 did a few class C shows. If it's their show you can hop on their website and probably find it there.

[Pyropug]

The first class c competition show was done using all dominator 1.4 pro items fired on a star fire system with 840 cues and 400' feet apart. I know the guy who donated and helped Cody set it up, and was asked to help out but just didn't have the time. It's amazing the amount of time and work involved in 5 minute pyro musical.

[bohicarlp]

Agreed on the Vortex show! Unbelievable! Between last night and tonight I have been in search of the cake I questioned earlier. I have seen others use it in their videos but cannot remember which ones. Brain overload. That is an effect I would love to use, as I have already begun creating my big show for next years pyro musical.

[joed2323]

Agreed on the Vortex show! Unbelievable! Between last night and tonight I have been in search of the cake I questioned earlier. I have seen others use it in their videos but cannot remember which ones. Brain overload. That is an effect I would love to use, as I have already begun creating my big show for next years pyro musical.

I will have a look, I have started on my pm for next year as well. Now is a great time to get your music choice/soundtrack going for next year

[Rick_In_Tampa]

Agreed on the Vortex show! Unbelievable! Between last night and tonight I have been in search of the cake I questioned earlier. I have seen others use it in their videos but cannot remember which ones. Brain overload. That is an effect I would love to use, as I have already begun creating my big show for next years pyro musical.

You're talking about the horsetail effect, yes? If so, I know Spirit of 76 has that. You might consider pinging their rep on here and asking them to help track it down.

Possibly one of these two:

https://www.76fireworks.com/GM421

https://www.76fireworks.com/GM426_20s_Pixie_Dust_Waterfall_25sec

My guess is it's the GM421 you're looking for.

[bohicarlp]

Thanks Rick. I feel dumb. I did not even think of looking up horsetails. That is the cake.

[Rick_In_Tampa]

Thanks Rick. I feel dumb. I did not even think of looking up horsetails. That is the cake.

Not a problem man. Glad to help.