The American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) is an American trade association of companies engaged in the consumer fireworks industry.

The American Pyrotechnics Association was established by a group of seven fireworks manufacturing companies in 1948 with the aim of addressing industry issues such as safety and compliance with state and local pyrotechnics laws.

APA members include many participants in fireworks industry – professional display, consumer & proximate pyrotechnic, manufacturers, importers & distributors, both domestic & foreign.

The award is named for pyrotechnics pioneer Milton Dropo, founder of TNT Fireworks (and brother of baseball player Walt Dropo).

[3] Recipients of the Award include Jim Souza,[4] Bob Souza,[5] Julie Heckman,[6] and Michael Ingram.