ARTIFACT ENTHUSIASTS "COLLECT" GROWING CROWD

Contact: Jim Bennett
567-203-7098

ARTIFACT ENTHUSIASTS "COLLECT" GROWING CROWD

Fort Mitchell, KY/July 5, 2007—When members of the Authentic Artifact Collector Association (AACA) gather at the Drawbridge Inn in Fort Mitchell July 20-22, they will be collecting and trading more than arrowheads and other ancient pieces of history. In all likelihood, they'll be collecting more people who want to join their fast-growing organization.

The AACA, which didn't exist until ten years ago, now boasts more than 3,600 members. That number increases 10-20 percent annually. Experts estimate there are more than 50,000 dedicated prehistoric artifact collectors in America.

AACA Founder Jim Bennett says the group doesn't charge fees or dues and is strictly run by volunteers. "The goal of the AACA is to fight the sale and proliferation of reproduction artifacts and to educate collectors of all levels about the hobby."

One hundred fifty tables will display ancient Indian arrowheads, axes, pottery beads and more with some goods dating back to the first inhabitants of America over 12,000 years ago. Experts will be on hand to authenticate artifacts and answer any questions about the hobby. One highlight of the weekend will be Gary Fogelman, Editor of Indian Artifact Magazine demonstrating the use of an ancient spear thrower called an "atl-atl" during one of the weekend demonstrations.

Bennett says the public is welcome to attend. Adult admission is $3, which includes a pass for all weekend. Children of all ages are free. For more information: call 567-203-7098 or online www.theaaca.com/expo.

The mission of the Northern Kentucky Convention and Visitors Bureau is that of an aggressive sales, marketing, service and informational organization whose primary responsibility is to positively impact the Northern Kentucky economy through conventions, meetings and visitor expenditures. The direct economic impact of visitors' spending in Campbell, Kenton and Boone Counties in 2006 was $263 million.