Those who have had the opportunity to be present at the European Professional Competition for Carpenters will be able to confirm without fuss or quibble: it is an experience! And not only for the young journey-level carpenters from all different corners of Europe, but for spectators and visitors as well.

It is enormously impressive what the future generation of carpenters in Europe accomplish during the three day competition. The young carpenters professionally master tasks which are far beyond the level of master craftsmen. Within a prescribed time, they create roof truss models which are remarkably challenging. Even experienced master carpenters and timber industry professions have been known to gasp while viewing the competition. Furthermore, there is the human aspect of the competition: every competition, whether sport or for us in this profession, is influenced by tension and strain, by highs and lows, by happiness and sorrow. The competitors grow beyond themselves and give everything in order, often, to finish their model in the very last moment.

This is clearly visible to each visitor to the European Professional Competition for Carpenters and the professional and personal accomplishments demonstrated by the future generation of the timber construction industry will capture each spectator. Therewith, I am so pleased to be able to invite you to Stuttgart for the Professional European Competition for Carpenters.

Use the opportunity to peek over the shoulders of our future generation of carpenters.