What do you get when you combine hundreds
of artifact collectors, hundreds of thousands of dollars in relics and the
Drawbridge Inn in
The AACA National American
Artifact Expo!
Recap
of the 2003 National Expo
By Jim Bennett, AACA Founder
Thursday – “The Gathering Begins”
Although Expo 2003 didn’t officially start
until Friday night with the preview Party kick-off, Thursday found many
collectors arriving at the Drawbridge Inn Hotel to help set up as well as those
who had driven long hours and wanted some time before the main event to rest
up. Others collectors had flown in from various points across the
Friday – “Preparing For the Expo”
The pre-show staff of around a dozen AACA
members met for breakfast and to review the plans of the day’s events. While many of us were still a tad “foggy”
from our unplanned evening out which we hated to see end, the plans were laid
for preparing the 13,500 square ft. show hall for the main event. The plans included trying to provide the
“little things” that would probably go unnoticed by most, but would help to
make the Expo a pleasurable experience for all.
Items such as maximizing the hall lighting, skirting the tables,
providing extra table coverings for the vendors, providing staff to help the
vendors carry in their wares as well as directing them to their tables. By
Friday Evening – “Preview Party”
As the doors opened to the line of people
eagerly anticipating the beginning of the AACA’s inaugural Exposition, they
were greeted with live music and hostesses serving complimentary wine and
champagne. The turn out for the preview
party was exceptional, and the Expo quickly came to life as collectors moved
from table to table sipping wine, looking at relics, talking with friends and
enjoying the music. Before we knew it,
several hours had passed and the first event of the Expo weekend was drawing to
a close. While some decided to retire
for the evening at the close of the Preview Party, a large number of people
were not ready for the evening to end quite so soon. It wasn’t long before another gathering had
formed at the Crossbow Tavern, and the conversations and good-humored fun
seemed to pick up right where it left off the night before.
Saturday – The Artifact Exposition Main Event Begins!
The doors opened right on time Saturday
morning and a large crowd quickly filled the show hall. The day was filled with opportunities to view
offerings on 100+ vendor tables as well as to attend Atlatl demonstrations,
topical seminars, and to take a chance at winning prize raffles that took place
throughout the day. Some people came to
purchase relics, others to sell – some collectors were there mainly to hear the
seminar speakers and learn more about the hobby they love, while others were
just curious and interested in learning more about the ancient past. By the end of the day people from over 36
different states had showed up to help make the AACA Expo truly a National
event!
Saturday Night – Cocktail Party
After the show closed for the day, and
everyone had found some dinner and a chance to put their feet up for a spell, it
was time to once again enjoy some more of the social nature of the Expo. It didn’t take long for 50 or so people to
find themselves at the Saturday Night Cocktail Party listening to music,
talking with friends or dancing. The
party went on for hours, and it is safe to say that a good time was had by all.
Sunday – Expo Day Two
Again, as the doors opened on time the
waiting crowd brought the show hall to life.
Although Sunday crowds are not usually as large as a Saturday crowd, the
turnout was exceptional as collectors continued to try to find another relic
for their collection and again, the atl-atl demonstrations and seminars were
well attended. By the end of the day everyone
seemed to have enjoyed a grand weekend, and we all began looking forward to
Expo 2004.
Click
here to see over 50 images of the 2003 Expo!