EAA AirVenture, deemed “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration,” brings in an estimated $257 million in total annual economic impact to Wisconsin’s Fox Valley region, according to a new study from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.
The report, based on 2024 attendance data, reflects the event’s record-setting 686,000 visitors. Researchers used the same methodology as a 2017 study to track both direct and indirect spending tied to the weeklong fly-in convention. Of the $257 million total, $171 million comes from direct spending across Winnebago, Fond du Lac, Outagamie, Calumet and Brown counties, with an additional $86 million generated through ripple effects across the local economy.
In Oshkosh alone, the study noted $117 million in total impact, including $95 million in direct spending. The event also supports 2,092 jobs across the region, with 815 of those within Oshkosh.
“The growth of AirVenture since our last economic impact study in 2017 made it essential that it reflect the current environment,” said Jack J. Pelton, EAA’s CEO and chairman of the board. “It was very important to have an independent study that looked at the value of the event for our region, as those benefits ripple across nearly every local business sector during AirVenture week while the world literally comes to Oshkosh and Wisconsin.”
Lodging and camping represent a major share of visitor spending, accounting for 35% of an average $300 per day per visitor. Notably, over 70% of attendees travel from outside Wisconsin—bringing what economists call “new money” into the state. That influx also contributes an estimated $328,000 in additional property tax revenue for the Oshkosh area, not including EAA’s own tax payments.
“EAA AirVenture is Wisconsin-born and raised, and is welcoming the world to the state every year. The vast majority of the annual economic impact from AirVenture comes not on the event grounds itself, but in the businesses and communities within Oshkosh, the Fox Valley, and Wisconsin,” Pelton said.
While the study focused on the Fox Valley, EAA officials note that cities across Wisconsin benefit as visitors travel and stay throughout the state.
$300 per day per visitor? Who the heck can afford that? Since 2015, the cost of one day admission for a non-member has risen from $45 to $68, a 51% increase. One day of parking has increased from $10 to $25, a 250% increase. So the total cost to attend just one day has increased from $55 (already a LOT of money) to $93, nearly 70% increase. Inflation-adjusted from 2015, the current cost should be “only” $75, not $93. A day of camping in Camp Schoeller has gone up from $26 to $39, a 50% increase for the same tiny plot of grass, crowded showers and port-a-john. And you must pay for a minimum of 3 nights, even if you only spend one night camping. The total cost then is a whopping $117 per day, with expensive food, drinks and very expensive merchandise added to it. I have attended often, including as a volunteer, Sport Aviation writer, chapter president and exhibitor, but just can no longer see the value in this event, since most of the same information is available online. How will the EAA attract the young adults or anyone with a modest income or a bunch of kids to feed? The EAA is becoming a club of the aviation elites.
I have to admit some sticker shock during last years show. That is with a significant number of volunteers contributing to the event. I purchased fuel from the FBO folks (Basler) and as I recall gas was over $7 a gallon, I kind of expected to see a competitive fuel price. Its a good thing I didn’t need a fill up, just enough to get down the road a bit to $5 gas.
Stop at Y50, 30 nm due west. $5/gal and it’s an easy in and out. The EAA Chapter 1331 is having a Sunday fly in breakfast at their hangar near the fuel pit 0700 to 1200.
This’ll be my 44th year in attendance since 1977 … I only missed five when I was in the USAF. I view the show as the one week / year for ME to immerse myself into all things aviation. That said, the prices are getting onerous. Every year I tell myself I’m not gonna put up with it the following year but then … I always do. There are ways to reduce those costs but it’s still not an event John Q Public with a family can justify just to see an airshow.
I winter in FL and feel the same way about the season opener Sun-n-Fun show. In fact, I HAVE given it up for the reasons you describe. That show sells itself as Oshkosh South yet, it isn’t. At best, it’s a ‘mini-me.’ The savings of not attending help pay for OSH. I quit AOPA for the same reason. I choose EAA as my vehicle for aviation in person attendance and that’s it. They DO do a good job of most things but price ain’t one of 'em.