A Memorable Gathering: KPTA Hosts the 2025 IAPBT Convention in Sinan, South Korea

In mid-June this year, the Korea Piano Technicians Association (KPTA) welcomed piano enthusiasts and professionals from around the world to the 2025 IAPBT Convention in the serene setting of Sinan, South Korea.

The journey began at Incheon Airport, where international travelers gathered at 11 a.m. for a bus transfer to Piano Island. Spotting fellow piano aficionados in the crowd was effortless—our group quickly filled an entire bus for the scenic 6.5-hour ride. The route took us south from Seoul, through picturesque rice, onion, and salt-producing countryside, across Korea’s longest bridge, and finally to the secluded Piano Island and the Ramada Plaza—where we stayed in a piano-themed bubble for a few days.

The convention boasted a diverse yet intimate attendance, predominantly Korean, with a strong contingent from Japan and a distinguished delegation from China. A handful of Western technicians added to the international flair—three Australians; three from Thailand and Vietnam; two Americans; and one German.

The exhibitor hall lined the convention center's lobby, showcasing an array of specialized tools and innovations for piano technicians. Highlights included magnet-operated sound-enhancing devices, silent systems, and pianos from renowned makers like Kawai, Sauter, and Steinway Spirio. Among the standout exhibitors was APS, proudly looping product videos with Korean subtitles, alongside TungSteel, La Guillotine, Scanavini’s Hammer Reshape Jig, Microfinishing Film Kits, and Hammer Head Extracting Pliers.

The event balanced formal IAPBT meetings with lively discussions, followed by only three concise simultaneous lectures—two by Yamaha and Kawai representatives and one by Gunther Schreibe from BDK. However, the crown jewel of the convention was an all-day lecture by piano technician Jan Kittel. With meticulous detail, he dissected the instrument, examining the principles of good and poor piano design. His critique of long-standing, often unquestioned design flaws in many pianos was particularly insightful.

APS’s presence didn’t go unnoticed—our innovative tools drew compliments from peers. Midway through Kittel’s lecture, a visit from the CEO of the Samsung Cultural Foundation, flanked by cameras, added a futuristic twist. In a brief speech, he addressed AI’s growing role in music and the piano industry, emphasizing that adaptation is inevitable—and that technicians like us will play a crucial part in this evolution. As the delegation toured the exhibitor hall, they paused at our booth, where TungSteel was presented to them in Korean.

On the closing night, our hosts invited each group present to take the stage to perform a piece of music. We Westerners were quite taken aback and were put on stage just to bow, as we had nothing prepared. There was some very good music played, including pan flute performances, Korean and Western songs, and a touch of classical...

And let’s not forget the food—exceptional in quality and boundless in quantity.

With such an inspiring experience, one question lingers: When’s the next one? Oh yes, right. Christchurch New Zealand, 3rd to 5th of October 2025. See you there!