EGB Symposium Programme 2025

HTBLA Hallstatt 5-7 December

 

Friday, December 5th

10:00 Greetings & Registration

Kick off the symposium by checking in and connecting with fellow attendees.

 

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM: School Tour

Join a guided tour of the prestigious HTBLA Hallstatt departments. Explore a variety of disciplines, including instrument making, restoration technology, carpentry, boat building, and woodturning. This is a unique opportunity to see students’ projects, witness their skills firsthand, and engage with the future of craftsmanship.

 

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Lunch Break*

 

2:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Beyond Tonewood

Dive into the future of guitar building with a deep exploration of alternative and organic materials. This session includes:

• Wood Alternatives, a compelling presentation by luthier Rachel Rosenkrantz that delves into the world of organic wood alternatives, exploring their unique sonic properties and acoustic potential. Rachel will examine the difficult choices luthiers face today and open a discussion on the future of sustainable instrument materials.
• Pecha Kucha presentations from EGB members, sharing their experiences with alternative materials and innovative finishes. All attendees are warmly invited to prepare a brief presentation. Click this link to see how it’s done.
• An interactive brainstorming session to develop new EGB initiatives focused on sustainable materials.

 

Saturday, December 6th

 

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Hands-on Workshop #1

Expand your skillset in a practical workshop led by school lecturers. Choose between two specialized sessions:

• Woodturning: Learn techniques to shape pegs and knobs with precision and artistry.
• Carving Tops: Discover expert methods for shaping guitar tops.

 

These sessions are designed to introduce luthiers to new techniques and provide practical tricks that can be immediately integrated into your work.

 

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Lunch Break*

 

2:00 PM – 4:30 PM: Futuring Workshop

Join Freija van Duijne, a professional futurist, in a workshop designed to help us strategically prepare for the future of guitar building. This session will cover an introduction to strategic foresight and include exercises and a dialogue on how to navigate a changing world and reflect on the direction of our individual businesses.

 

4:30 PM – 6:00 PM: Business Strategy & Resilience Roundtable

Participate in an open and unfiltered discussion on the business challenges facing the artisan builder community. Share experiences, find solutions, and learn from one another in a supportive environment. This roundtable is a testament to the EGB’s commitment to seeing its members and the broader community thrive.

 

Sunday, December 7th

 

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Hands-on Workshop #2

Building on Saturday’s format, this morning offers another chance to learn from experts. Choose one of the following specialized workshops:

• Wood Bending: Discover the techniques for shaping wood.
• Gilding: Learn the art of applying gold leaf to elevate and differentiate your creations.

 

These sessions are designed to provide you with unique skills to enhance your craftsmanship.

 

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Lunch & Closing Remarks*

Enjoy a final meal together as we wrap up the symposium and reflect on a weekend of learning, collaboration, and inspiration.

 

* More detail about the lunch break arrangements will be communicated nearer the time. Note that this cost is not included in the registration fee.