About the ISF: Discover the Fire!
The International Symposium on Fireworks is the world’s premiere international gathering of the pyrotechnic industry. Each Symposium focuses on bringing together individuals of diverse pyrotechnic background, to provide a fertile atmosphere in which to see the newest technology, to trade experience and ideas on ways to enhance the industry and to move the science forward. The emphasis of the Symposia is on the presentation of papers and the discussion of topics dealing with the safety, scientific, engineering, artistic, and regulatory aspects of fireworks and other pyrotechnics associated with entertainment and celebration on a global basis.
Since its inception in Montreal in 1992 when attendees from more than 20 nations met, there have been a series of very successful fireworks Symposia:
- Montreal, Canada, 1992
- Vancouver, Canada, 1994
- Walt Disney World, Orlando, 1996
- Halifax, Canada, 1998
- Naples, Italy, 2000
- Walt Disney World, Orlando, 2001
- Valencia, Spain, 2003
- Shiga, Japan, 2005
- Berlin, Germany, 2006
- the 10th anniversary back in Montreal, 2007
- Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, 2009
- Porto/Gaia, Portugal, 2010
- Malta, 2012
- Changsha, China, 2013
- Bordeaux, France, 2015
- Omagari, Japan, 2017
- Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, 2019
- Malta, 2023
- Liling, Hunan Province, China, 2025
- Valencia, Spain, 2026
About the International Symposium on Fireworks Society Ltd. (ISFS Ltd)
The ISFS Ltd is a nonstock, non-profit organization, incorporated in the State of Wisconsin, USA, since 2017. It is headquartered in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin.
Its purpose is to promote, organize and execute approximately every 18 months, an International Symposium on Fireworks (ISF) at locations, worldwide, which have an internationally recognized reputation and engagement in the manufacture and substantial use of fireworks.
The ISFS Ltd comprises nine (9) Officer/Directors. Currently (2026), three of the Officer/Directors are citizens of Canada, two are citizens of Mexico, and the remaining four Officer/Directors are citizens of China, Japan, France or the USA.
The Officers/Directors are not employees of the ISFS Ltd and provide their services on a voluntary basis. They are, however, reimbursed for travel and other symposium related expenses.
The ISFS Ltd has no membership. All of the expenses related to the conduct of an ISF are paid with income derived from Registration fees, Trade Show Exhibitor payments and Sponsorships.
Most of the nine Officer/Directors have a photo and brief professional profile under the Board of Directors tab.