It is not a good news to learn that Explosive Entertainment is out the business, since this company have produced good displays and had an original artistic viewpoint (many displays were organized around a specific theme, like Romeo and Juliette in 2003). Their website is on-line yet, but it has not been updated since a long time:

http://www.explosive-entertainment.net/

Smoke, I did not make an announcement about a Mexican display. I just suspect that, but I am not sure. Many professionals, as these Mexicans, are at La Ronde each year during the competition, but it is not a guarantee that they will compete.

Finally, I repeat my question for Paul: Do you know when the name of companies are going to be released by La Ronde?

Frédérick

The company names are normally released in January, around the 20th if memory serves me. There were times in the past when they announced everything in November. Then, more recently, they announced the dates in December (as now) but not the companies or countries.

All the companies competing, though, know the names in November. It was killing me last year not to give the game away since I also knew then too!

Paul.

Hey guys,

I just got back from Christmas shopping! Really hectic out there!

Lars, thank you for bringing it to my attention that former Explosive Entertainment is now "Syd Howard Fireworks" and that Lacroix Ruggieri is out of business. Obviously, I didn't know this, so therefore, I'm going to have to flip around some of my predictions once more. As Fred said, it's a shame to lose them because I do know that they've done some very nice displays in the past when I witnessed them.

Anyways, yes, I was sure that the names of the firms were released in January. Paul, this is going to be an interesting year.

Fred, sorry about the misunderstanding. I thought the way you were saying it was definite. However, the possibility exists! Having a Mexican firm would be nice!

Finally, in my own opinion, I'm happy that the regular awards are back (gold, silver and bronze). For somereason, I find that it makes things more exciting, especially during the closing show. It also stimulates more discussion on 3 places on the podium. In this context, I'm happy it's a regular year.

Regards,

Trav.

Trav,

you're reading too fast. Lacroix-Ruggieri is certainly not out of business, it's Explosive Entertainment that's not doing fireworks anymore. Also, you have it backwards too: Syd Howard became Explosive Entertainment after Syd retired from the business. Howard and Sons (the other side of the family) are still in business; apparently the Howard brothers haven't spoken for years.

As for Mexico, they did have a team in the early days of the competition. If you speak to anyone who was there at the time, you'll understand why there haven't been any teams from Mexico since.

Paul.

Paul,

Oops, sorry. You're right, I guess I was reading too fast! Like I said, I did a lot of running up and down with all that Christmas shopping, so I guess I was reading the posts awkwardly because I was pretty much half asleep! My appologies to Lars and Fred.

Anyways, thx for the clearing up! There have been a lot of changes.

Regards,

Trav.

Why does this have to happen during exam periodes

I was wondering, if they know which country will participate, then how come they can't confirm the company? I mean it's not like they can change the countries?

It's called Marketing. Create a buzz, get people talking. There's still a lot of time between now and next June and so by releasing information in smaller chunks, it gets people talking and anticipating the next press release. Plus, there is a chance that not 100% of the companies are confirmed. This has happened in the past, even though the countries were chosen.

Paul.

Marketing is a very powerful tool, especially about fireworks. The most fundamental concept of it is build up, especially when one links advertising, excitement and time! And, as Paul said, it's the anticipation we feel when info is released in small parts. This really gets people, like all of us are presently doing on this forum, talking about it. In this case, fireworks. And personally, you can really feel the excitement when information is released in small amounts! It makes you look foward to the next set of info!

BTW, guys, we're making good progress. It's been almost 5 months since the competition closed. We have roughly 6 months before the first display (Australia) of the 2005 competition! Talking with you guys really kills time!

Regards,

Trav.

Paul,

Regarding the Mexican team in the early days of the competition, do you know if they presented in between 1985-1989? I started attending in 1990, but my memory is vague of the competitors back then, so I would not remember if they went that year or in 1991 or 92. Also, I think I remember a little less amounts of displays back then than now i.e. today we have usually 10 displays, including the closing and sometimes the opening and back then I recall roughly 7-8 competitors plus the closing.

Regards,

Trav.

The fourth display showed in 1985 has been produced by a Mexican team, Fonart. No other company from this country has competed since that time.

On June 9, 1985, in La Presse, the title of Georges Lamon's paper about this show was "Les feux mexicains un peu décevants"...

Frédérick

Fred,

Thanks for the response. I have another related question.

Does anyone know where I can find the schedules for the years 1985-1992? I just want to see the firms and countries that played at those times. Plus, I want to see the participants when I first watched the competition back in 1990. This is because I barely remember the competitors back then.

Regards,

Trav.

You just have to look on Mondial SAQ's website:

http://www.lemondialsaq.com/fr/Competition/Participants.asp

Fred

I also have a list of all the competitors and their themes from the beginning of the competition up until now. I just haven't got around to making a page out of it yet!

One day ...

Paul.

Fred and Paul,

Believe me, I would've gone to the Mondial SAQ website in the first place, but I always get an error message when trying to access the site.

Paul, I look foward to that day! I would like to see the competitors in the mid to late 80's.

Regards,

Trav.

Fredbastien, what does this mean:

"Les feux mexicains un peu décevants"...

I'm not that good at french...

Lars