IMPORTANT UPDATE from the promoter

[KingsGene]

Via ProgPower USA Facebook post 1/27/2025:

IMPORTANT UPDATE: As many of you know, I am the most straight shooting promoter on the planet. If there is an issue that could affect you, I'm going to tell you about it as soon as possible.

There are two USCIS visa application centers: California and Vermont. Historically, the petitioner's state residence dictates where to file the application. The rule of thumb is Vermont takes 2-4 months to process while California can take up to 6 months. As a result, I went from applying in March to January. The process changed last year as now all applications go to a distribution center in Texas first that in turn, assigns them to either processing center based on their own private criteria. However, I still managed to get all of mine to Vermont last year and had zero stress. We repeated the exact same steps this year and I just received notice today the first application went to California.

California recently raised their processing time to 10 months. Vermont's current processing time is 2 months. I still have to play Russian roulette 7 more times with the application center assignment. Per my attorney, a small portion of approvals have come from California within 3 months. However, if you don't hear within 3 months, then you can expect it to go for the full 10 months. Needless to say, even applying in January is not early enough now for routine processing. In other words, I played by the rules, planned accordingly, and then the rules changed mid-game.

The additional cost to expedite a single band is $2,800. If all 8 bands I petitioned for go to California, that is an additional $24,000 that is not in the budget. I will take the loss on one or two bands, but not eight. The brutal reality is I cannot pay 28K and would have no choice but to cancel bands. I ran into this similar situation once in the past and the general public came to the rescue via a Go Fund Me campaign. I may need your assistance again come April after I know the exact situation of all bands. For now, all we can do is hold our breath. Regardless of the outcome, I'm 100% committed to giving you the best roster I can this year and next. You just deserve to know the truth in advance of whatever happens.

Glenn
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[KingsGene]

Follow up:

I just want to thank everyone for the overwhelming kind words and support on here, other pages, Instagram, etc. This shit hit me like a ton of bricks today and I truly feel you all have my back. I’m blessed beyond words to have such an extended family. - Glenn

 

[NorseBlood]

Hopefully there won't be any issues with Vanden Plas.

Its been said, when one door closes another one opens. Bureaucracy sucks, but we got your back Glenn just as we did before.
If a band cannot make it, do consider the band Eternal Champion and/or Sumerlands. They're American so no visa issues with them.

 

[KingsGene]

From the PPUSA Facebook page:

"The worst case scenario has been confirmed. Any assistance you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Full details of the situation are available at the link. The show will go on one way or another. - Glenn"

Donate to ProgPower USA: The Visa Madness, organized by Glenn Harveston

I have been the most straight shooting promoter on the planet for 25 years … Glenn Harveston needs your support for ProgPower USA: The Visa Madness

www.gofundme.com

 

[KingsGene]

FYI - for those that do not have Facebook, the above GoFundMe goal has been met, however Glenn is keeping it open to hopefully help with Day 1 and 2 promoters who most likely will be in the same sh*tty boat as this fundraiser was only for Day 3 and 4. Those promoters may issue their own announcements as their Visa applications are being processed, and I will relay that information here in subsequent posts.

Also, Glenn mentioned in a video post that he would like to bring back the print version of the PPUSA program which was only available online last year due to increased printing costs beyond budget and lack of participating sponsors. He may use the remaining donations to help that cause.

 

[KingsGene]

Via Facebook:

We are so incredibly grateful to this community for coming together in our hour of need. Thanks to your generosity, the final donations tally was $37, 760 raised in 48 hrs.

In case you missed the previous video update, full transparency of where it is going:

1. Expedite visa fees for bands/crews for Fri/Sat.
2. Bringing back the free paper program (at least for this year).
3. Any remaining amount will be split equally between Milton & Nathan for the expedites they require.

Once again, thank you to the extended family for being there.

Glenn

 

[KingsGene]

Via Facebook:

Would a ticket increase of $20 for next year decrease the chances of you buying a ticket for 2026? Full disclosure- this is simply for a stronger roster top to bottom, not to help offset visas costs next year (as I will start the process 11 months out this time).

To help offset that and reward those in attendance, I will sell tickets to 2026 at the box office in person on the Saturday only. This will help cut some of those Tbastard fees. They would go on sale online a month later as usual.

Glenn

 

[KingsGene]

From ProgPower USA Facebook 2/25/25:

ANNOUNCEMENT:

Many of you have asked me over the past couple of years if the festival was truly over after PPUSA XXV. I have always answered you honestly and said "I'm done." I believe it is no secret that Milton approached me in the past about continuing it after I retire. I have told him "no" several times as I did not believe he could continue it at the same level, despite his best and sincere intentions. His performance over the last year on site and behind the scenes has recently changed my mind. He has earned my trust and will continue the legacy I leave behind after my 25th show in 2026. I will of course be a consultant for him, but it will truly become his festival.

Nathan will retire as a promoter with me. I truly thank him for everything he has done not only for the fest, but for me personally as well over the years.

The festival format will move to 3-days in 2027.

I'm guessing some of you are wondering why I would announce all this now instead of some big moment at the festival itself in front of everyone. It's about transparency and moral standards for me. I do not want to book a band with them being under the impression that 2026 is the last festival. That's not fair to them. I also do not want to accept any sponsorship money for bands in the same scenario. That's not fair to sponsors either. Finally, I do not want anyone planning to attend 2026 because it is the last show. I would be an asshole to sell tickets under that assumption.

For now, it's business as usual.

-G.

 

[KingsGene]

From ProgPower USA Facebook 2/27/25:

Hey everyone,

I am overwhelmed with the support and feedback from the news earlier this week.

When I attended ProgPower for the first time (PP3), I knew it was a special thing from the moment I got to the festival. Fast forward to now, more than two decades later, we still get the same feedback from first-time attendees. It truly is a special event... too special to let it go away.

I’m honored to be able to continue carrying Glenn’s legacy, and I thank him for the trust with that. Needless to say, you can all expect the festival to continue to deliver the same level of rosters, experience and atmosphere that sets ProgPower USA apart from other festivals worldwide.

When the time comes, I count on every single one of you to help me carry the festival’s name. But for now, let’s focus on this year and next. We still have a lot of tickets left for Days 1&2. I humbly ask you to help Nathan and I sell our days out. And trust me when I say this: you are not ready for what we have planned for 2026.

Thank you all for the support and the trust over the years!

-Milton