2003 Eastern Conference
2003 Eastern Conference |
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19th Annual Eastern ConferenceOctober 31 - November 2, 2003, Le Château Montebello Montebello, Quebec Experience the unique Canadian tradition of Le Château Montebello... Join your friends and colleagues at the 19th Annual Eastern Conference of the Timber Framers Guild Oct. 31- Nov. 2, 2003
Le Château Montebello combines remarkable architecture with rustic elegance in a country resort of international renown. It is the largest log hotel in the world and features gourmet meals unequaled at past Guild conferences. In February 1930, the site where Fairmont Le Château Montebello now stands was just a clearing in the woods. In just 120 days, 5,000 carpenters erected the massive cedar château - a construction feat that captured the popular imagination of the time, inspired newspaper features across North America and attracted crowds of onlookers.
Activities at Montebello include golf on a championship 18- hole course, mini-golf, fishing and boating on the Ottawa River, horseshoes, indoor tennis and squash, exercise room, saunas and swimming in the largest indoor pool in Canada. We will expand the international flavor of our recent Conferences by hosting visiting carpenters from France and Germany who will be demonstrating their skills and leading Pre-Conference Workshops. Keynote speaker Patrick Hofsummer from Belgium will describe the typology and evolution of roof structures in Europe from the 11th through the 18th centuries, and the techniques carpenters used to build them. In addition, we have a continuous track throughout the weekend on Natural Building techniques, including straw bale, straw/clay, and cordwood enclosures, living roofs and interior finishes related to timber framing. Equally strong is the Design and Business track, with seminars on promoting your business, joinery and frame design, and management. Rounding out the schedule are presentations relating to the history and practice of timber framing both on-site and in the shop. All in all, this year's event includes the largest number of presentations ever at a Guild Conference! Room reservations: Lodging is not included in your conference fee and must be booked with the hotel directly. Call the hotel at 800-441-1414 or 819-423-6341; be sure to mention you're with the Timber Framers Guild to get the special Conference rate. Rates are $159 Canadian (approximately $110 US) for a single or double occupancy. A third person sharing is an additional $30 CAN per night. Children 18 years old and under and sharing their parents' accommodation are complimentary. The hotel will add 7% GST and 7.5% PST plus a $5 CAN per room per day service charge. The GST and PST are rebatable on room charges for non-Canadians. If more than 75% of the conference registrants are non-Canadian; applications can be obtained at the hotel.
Alternative lodging:
If you wish to book accommodations somewhere other than the Château, go to www.montebello-quebec.com/ or contact the following hotels nearby:
Le Lycée sur la rivière, 676, rue Notre Dame, www.lycee.ca, 819-423-0001, 877-423-0011 (has camping, too). Travel Arrangements: Located on the Ottawa River, Le Château Montebello is 90 km east of the recommended Ottawa International Airport (YOW) and 120 km west of the Dorval International Airport - Montreal (YUL). A map and directions will be sent with other conference materials upon receipt of registration. Shuttle services from either airport may be obtained by calling Maestro Limo at 819-246-5081; however from our research, it appears that rental cars are much more affordable.  Border crossings for non-Canadians: Those coming to Montebello from the U.S. should have proof of citizenship, such as: a certified birth certificate PLUS a photo ID (such as a driver's license); or a passport. A child without a passport, or who is not included on a parent's passport, must have a birth certificate, and if not the child of the adults accompanying them, a letter from the parents (with telephone and address contact information) is required. For a child traveling with a single parent, you should have a letter from the absent spouse showing permission to cross the border with the child. Citizens of other countries may be required to have a passport and/or visa. Remember to obtain Canadian currency before arriving at the hotel. We will not be able to change currency in large amounts at the Conference. |
Conference Description Schedule Special Events Benefit Auction Sponsors Pre-Conference Workshops Registration Form Register Online Conference brochure click on the photo for a larger view 
The Gazebo finished in time for the 2000 conference. See related story.
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The dream of Swiss-American Harold Saddlemire, who dubbed it "Lucerne-in-Quebec," Fairmont Le Château Montebello was inspired by the châteaux of the Swiss Alps. Craftsmen used 10,000 giant cedar logs to build the resort's three main buildings, all cut and set by hand. The central log château, which houses all the guest rooms in the resort, has a three-story central atrium, at the heart of which stands a massive six-sided stone fireplace.