I was wondering what everyone's opinion, or knowledge, on what makes a company qualified to participate in Montreal?

It is very well known in the fireworks industry, that the Montreal competition is the «Olympics of fireworks». So I would assume that some sort of experience would be required to be invited. This could include participation in other competitions, shooting big pyromusical shows, etc.

In the past, I was under the impression that a company would be required to contact the organizers and indicate their desire to compete. At that point, the organizers would determine if you were qualified. Not sure if that is still the case.

Sean

Hi Sean,

There's a few things an interested company can do but the usual path starts with visiting Montreal to see at least one or two shows two years or more before the year the company would like to compete in. Having a reasonable portfolio of attending other competitions helps, as well as putting on other displays that would be of a similar order of magnitude in complexity as is required in Montreal. Another route is to meet the organizers at the International Symposium on Fireworks (the next edition will be in October 2026 in Valencia).

It's rare that just an email to the organizers from a company saying they would like to take part would be successful without having done at least one of the above. I know people who have planned in the background on an eventual participation by acquiring «interesting» products along the way. Of course, for Canadian companies this is much more difficult unless already competing in other international competitions in Canada.

For next year, I believe all of the participants will be previous entrants as it is a special anniversary year.

Another route that might help would be to put on the opening show — but this is more difficult for companies that are not local.

Hope this helps,

Paul.