EAA AirVenture Oshkosh - A Massive Economic Boost for the Local Area

Have you ever considered the economic impact on the area surrounding the annual EAA AirVenture Oshkosh fly-in convention? Undoubtedly, this aviation event is one of Wisconsin’s premier tourism attractions. According to an independent study conducted by the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, it contributes a total economic impact of $257 million to the Fox Valley region annually.

The total attendance is based on the figures from EAA AirVenture 2024, which recorded a record attendance of 686,000. As the 72nd edition of the Experimental Aircraft Association gathering is set to commence on July 21, this event, recognised as the world’s largest fly-in convention, continues to serve as a significant economic driver for the region and the state of Wisconsin.

“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.”

The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh study, employing the same methodology as the 2017 analysis for consistency, revealed direct spending of $171 million in the five-county Fox Valley region (Winnebago, Fond du Lac, Outagamie, Calumet, and Brown). This spending generated an additional $86 million in "ripple effect" impact as it circulated through the community. Furthermore, the study indicated that the Oshkosh community experienced an economic impact of $117 million, which included $95 million in direct spending. AirVenture also directly created 2,092 full- and part-time jobs in the region, with 815 of those positions located in Oshkosh.

“While the initial numbers are very impressive as far as economic impact, given the growth of the event and inflation since 2017, digging below the surface provides further indication of the benefits of EAA AirVenture,” said Dr. David Fuller of the UW Oshkosh economics department, who compiled both the 2017 and 2024 studies. “The increased earnings and community value during AirVenture alone means an additional $328,000 in property tax revenue for the Oshkosh-area economy, which does not include EAA’s annual property tax payments. This also does not include local revenue from areas such as room taxes, sales taxes, where applicable, and other sources.”

The benefit to the region and state is significantly enhanced by the fact that over 70% of AirVenture’s visitors are from outside Wisconsin, introducing "new money" into the state and, in some instances, into the U.S. as a whole. In 2024, attendees represented 94 countries. Similar to 2017, lodging and camping accounted for 35% of the average daily expenditure of $300 per visitor, with accommodations spanning hotels, campgrounds, college dormitories, and private residences. Additionally, sectors such as food, entertainment, and clothing/retail are major beneficiaries, alongside less expected areas like event staffing, landscaping, and other related industries.

“The success of EAA AirVenture helps promote our community in many ways, but most importantly in the visibility that occurs worldwide as fly-in visitors ‘Discover Oshkosh,’” said Amy Albright, executive director of the Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Furthermore, the revenue that funds our operations allows us to promote the community and all the other features and activities that make Oshkosh such a great place to live and visit.”

While the independent study focused solely on the economic impact within the five-county Fox Valley region and the Oshkosh community, cities and counties across Wisconsin also benefit from the event, as visitors come and stay in various communities throughout the state.

“Wisconsin has seen many wonderful events in recent years that boost our state’s economy, from sporting events to political conventions, which are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities,” Pelton said. “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.”