Do I need to become Certified, and why become Certified?
Important Dates
October-November 2020, Bulletin No. 219 submission deadline: Sept, 15, 2020
2021 PGI Convention in Fargo, ND: August 7-13 2021
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IMPORTANT NEWS
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
May 27, 2020 –The Red River Valley Fair Association (RRVFA) and Pyrotechnics Guild International
(PGI) have decided to postpone the PGI Convention until 2021 for the safety of everyone
involved in the PGI Convention due to the coronavirus pandemic and the guidelines that are in place
for large events that have been set by the CDC and the North Dakota Department of Health. The PGI
Convention and fireworks shows were scheduled for August 8-14, 2020. The 2021 PGI Convention will
be August 7-13, 2021.
‘This is a difficult decision to make to postpone the upcoming PGI Convention at the Red River
Valley Fairgrounds but the health and safety of everyone involved in the PGI Convention and who
would attend the PGI Convention is our top priority,’ President Paul Smith said. ‘We are looking
forward to greater days and we can’t wait to come back to West Fargo and the Red River Valley
Fairgrounds.’
The 2021 PGI Convention will be August 7 – 13 with firework shows on Sunday, August 7th, Wednesday,
August 11th and Friday, August 13th. Tickets that have been purchased for the 2020 PGI Convention
will be honored for the 2021 PGI Convention or the tickets can be refunded.
‘We are looking forward to welcoming the PGI Convention back in 2021 to the Red River Valley
Fairgrounds. We look forward to this great event that many in our community enjoy taking part in.
The 2021 PGI Convention will be one to remember for everyone involved,’ Red River Valley Fair
Association General Manager Cody Cashman said.
Additional information for PGI members can be found on the PGI website (pgi.org) and continue to follow the PGI on
Facebook for the latest information.
No, you are not required to become PGI Certified. The choice to become Certified depends on your individual circumstances.
Many shooters and crew members take this class even if they may never need Certification and never plan to be a LEAD SHOOTER. This training class provides a basic level of knowledge which we feel helps make you a safer, more informed shooter or crew member no matter what your role in displays.
The PGI D.O.C. Course was designed following NFPA Codes because virtually EVERY fireworks insurer and most states REQUIRE you to follow NFPA Codes.
If you are the LEAD SHOOTER of Displays, you may want to opt for Certification because:
- The PGI Certification helps assure prospective clients, permit granting authorities, AHJs, your peers in the pyrotechnic community, and others that you know what you are doing.
- It helps prove to prospective clients, or to permit granting authorities that you have been trained on compliance with current NFPA Codes.
- It verifies that you have, or have gained practical experience by actually working at least five displays. In certain venues, it is a pre-requisite to obtaining a Display Permit.
- In some venues, it may serve in-lieu of being licensed as not all states issue display operator licenses.