PRESENTING GUEST SPEAKER MASTER LUTHIER ANDY POWERS

We are proud to welcome Andy Powers, Master Luthier at Taylor Guitars, to present a keynote address at the VIGF Inaugural Luthier Conference on Friday morning, June 23.

“Last Man Sanding: My Journey from Independent Luthier to Taylor Guitars” is Andy Powers’ inspirational speech that will kick off the full-day conference for industry professionals and aficionados. Powers is the creative force at the helm of America’s leading manufacturer of acoustic and electric guitars, with international distribution to 60 countries.

On the company’s 35th anniversary, founder Bob Taylor recounted his search for the right person to carry the business forward: “I need a guitar maker who’s a better builder than I am, a pro player, is self taught, has 20 years of experience, is in his 30s, and can make a lifetime commitment.” A chain of events led Taylor to spend an afternoon with an extraordinarily talented builder and guitarist in the San Diego area named Andy Powers.

Says Powers: “I’m fortunate to partake in this creative process every day and savor the endeavor. I still love to sharpen my tools and watch shavings and sawdust pile up on my workbench. I still adore the shape of a beautiful guitar and the feel of new strings under my fingers.”

Photo from Guitar Player Magazine

Check out this fantastic profile of Andy's move to Taylor by Guitar Player Magazine: http://www.guitarplayer.com/frets/1422/andy-powers-guides-the-future-of-guitar-design-at-taylor/52265

PRESENTING GUEST SPEAKER DIGITAL MARKETING LEADER SANDY FLEISCHER

We are proud to welcome internationally renowned digital marketer Sandy Fleischer to give a keynote address at the VIGV Inaugural Luthier Conference on Friday afternoon, June 23.

Sandy, managing partner at Vancouver-based Pound & Grain, will present “Social Media and E-Commerce for Luthiers.”  An inspirational and highly entertaining speaker, Sandy will explore new opportunities in peer-to-peer engagement, monetization and creative discovery on a global scale for luthiers, suppliers and dealers. He will share techniques for turning fans, followers and friends into paying customers.

In two decades of digital agency experience, Sandy has presented at high profile events such as SXSW, Adobe Max, and the Society of Digital Agencies' SoDA Speaks. He contributes regularly to Strategy Magazine and is a former board member at DigiBC, the association for digital media professionals in BC. 

At Pound & Grain, he is the force behind award-winning campaigns for clients including SAP, TELUS, Electronic Arts, The CFL, Arc'Teryx and MEC. In his secret other life, Sandy is known as DJ Pescatore, and has played to crowds across Canada, the US and Italy.

MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT: Vancouver International Guitar Festival

VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL GUITAR FESTIVAL
JUNE 23-25, 2017

Vancouver, B.C. (January 17, 2017) Guitar builders, players, collectors and aficionados will gather in Vancouver June 23-25 for the first Vancouver International Guitar Festival (VIGF). The only festival of its kind in Canada, VIGF comprises three days of live music, master classes and special events during which thepublic will have opportunities to see, hear, play and purchase some of the world’s finest handmade stringed instruments. The festival will take place in the heart of Vancouver at the historic Chinese Cultural Centre.

• June 23: Canada’s first Luthier Conference, including presentation of the Industry Builder Award to Jean Larrivee.
   
• June 24-25: Open to the public, the Guitar Exhibition including instrument demonstrations, master classes and more.

The opening day Conference is a ticketed event for professional luthiers and guitar enthusiasts, with opportunities to meet legendary guitar makers and to network with industry leaders. The full day’s program includes keynote speakers, seminars, roundtable discussions, a social mixer and presentation of the VIGF Industry Builder Award to Jean Larrivee on the occasion of his company’s 50th anniversary.

The two-day Exhibition celebrates the art and craft of contemporary guitar making, acoustic and electric. More than 80 master luthiers from Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia will be on site for one-on-one discussions and demonstrations. All instruments on display (acoustic, electric, ukuleles and basses) will be available for purchase;  commissions welcome.

Festival co-producers Shaw Saltzberg and Meredith Coloma bring decades of expertise to the VIGF team. Saltzberg spent 30 years shaping the live careers of Michael Bublé, Diana Krall, Bryan Adams, Sarah McLachlan and more as Senior Vice-President of The Feldman Agency. “Writing, recording and performing live music takes talent, creativity and hard work,” says Saltzberg, “and these same qualities are present in the work of VIGF’s master luthiers. Artists working at the highest level possible.”

Coloma is one of the leading next-generation guitar builders in North America. She studied in New York with renowned electric builder Roger Sadowsky and apprenticed with master acoustic builder Michael Dunn in Vancouver. “The festival fills a void in Canada that created when the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal ended its Guitar Show in 2013,” says Coloma.. “Luthiers from around the world loved visiting Canada and VIGF now provides a world-renowned destination in which to exhibit their artistry.”

Tickets are on sale now. Purchase and registration take place at vancouverguitarfestival.com

Visit: vancouverguitarfestival.com
Follow on: Facebook, Instagram & Twitter
Contact: media@vancouverguitarfestival.com

Download a print version of the release by clicking here.

Industry Builder Award

VIGF IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE JEAN LARRIVEE WILL RECEIVE ITS INAUGURAL INDUSTRY BUILDER AWARD. 

This award is presented to an individual who has made a significant and lasting contribution to the evolution of the guitar building industry. The presentation will take place during VIGF’s Luthier Conference, June 23, 2017 with Jean Larrivee in attendance and many of his famous proteges, including Grit Laskin and Linda Manzer.

The award is presented on the 50th Anniversary of Larrivee. It’s fitting that the award ceremony take place in British Columbia, the province where Jean launched his company to the international market. Larrivee manufactured guitars in BC from 1977-2013. 

History: http://www.larrivee.com/about-larrivee

A family affair: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orewKbjFYGg

The future of his company according to Jean Larrivee: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7jlywAalOg