Ten lucky new 2003 K'NEXperts will be chosen from thousands of entrants who reside in the United States and Canada. "Wanna-be" panel members will be asked to build unique construction models made entirely from K'NEX pieces, then enter them for consideration as "the best of the best." The final K'NEX junior advisory panelists will be chosen based on age, innovation, and imagination as well as the creativity expressed in their builds.

All entries will be due by August 16th 2002, giving kids something to do during the early "dog days" of summer. The lucky 2003 K'NEXpert Panel members will be announced on August 30, 2002 -- their yearlong term on the panel begins January 1, 2003. Additional details on the search can be found on the K'NEX website -- www.knex.com.

"K'NEX is proud to announce the third annual K'NEXpert Panel Search Challenge. We at K'NEX like to recognize and reward the outstanding imaginations and terrific determination shown by kids around the globe," said Chris Campbell, Vice President of Worldwide Marketing for K'NEX. "We're particularly excited to view the 2003 K'NEXpert entries since the stakes are set a little higher this year!" The 2003 entrants have the chance to win the coveted title of "K'NEX Builder of the Year" as well as the entire 2002 K'NEX product line, which has retail value of more than one thousand dollars!

Each of those landing a spot on K'NEX's 2003 junior advisory board will be rewarded with a variety of great K'NEXpert perks throughout the year, including his or her own personal web page at www.knex.com, free K'NEX gear, new K'NEX products, a generous discount on K'NEX parts that are purchased online, and a K'NEX birthday present.

Also, K'NEXperts are extended an exclusive invitation to visit the K'NEX plant and headquarters and to have lunch with top-level K'NEX officials, which may include the inventor himself, Joel Glickman.

This year's contest has a fun new spin in celebration of K'NEX's 10th Anniversary. In addition to the traditional benefits of being a K'NEXpert, one young person from the 2003 panel will be voted "K'NEX Builder of the Year" and earn the bragging rights as the "King" or "Queen" of K'NEX! From August 31 through November 1, 2002, K'NEX is allowing all website visitors and participating retailers to vote for the K'NEXpert who they think is the best builder on the 2003 panel by logging on to http://www.builderoftheyear.knex.com/. The excitement doesn't stop there - just by voting, web visitors will be entered in the "K'NEX Builder of the Year" sweepstakes! Participants become eligible to win the grand prize of the entire 2002 K'NEX product line (just like the chosen K'NEXpert) and a variety of other fun K'NEX prizes like their popular Electronic Arcade sets, 10th Anniversary Building Sets, Idea Books, and cool K'NEX 10TH Anniversary T-shirts!

Finalists who landed a coveted spot on the 2002 K'NEXpert Panel ranged in age from 7 to 16, and included kids from across the United States. These K'NEXperts and their imaginative winning constructions are now displayed on their individual web pages within the K'NEX website. Among other amazing creations, a number of reconstructions of famed architectural and historical landmarks, such as the Empire State Building, Twin Towers, USS Arizona, and the Mayflower are included.

Many of the 2002 K'NEXperts have enjoyed a great deal of local press attention, due to the fact that K'NEX announced their exclusive panel membership in news releases earlier this year.

K'NEX world-renowned construction toys are composed of rod and connector pieces which snap together easily to create a universe of fun and entertaining toys. Over the years, K'NEX has added wheels, pulleys, gears, motors and more to bring these toy constructions to life. Four unique lines of toys are now offered by K'NEX: CyberK'NEX, Cool Machines, Missions in Space, and Robot World. Easy to follow, color-coded instructions are included in every set to make it simple for kids--and adults--to create models. In addition to building the models, with the infusion of a little imagination, the possibilities for building totally unique masterpieces are endless!

Founded in 1992, K'NEX Industries was formally established to make and sell what has become one of the world's leading integrated construction systems for children. Winner of over 150 international awards and recognitions, K'NEX seeks to build young minds with its exciting product line and critically acclaimed K'NEX Education program. For more information, consumers can visit www.knex.com or call 1-800-KID-KNEX.