Each summer, a transformation occurs at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, turning it into one of the busiest airports in the world for a brief period. This surge in activity is due to the Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA) annual AirVenture event, a renowned airshow and fly-in convention.
The AirVenture event, held every July, draws thousands of aviation enthusiasts and aircraft to the Fox Valley, generating an impressive economic impact estimated at over $250 million. This week-long event is not only a display of aviation history but also, this year, celebrates the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States with special tributes.
“While the EAA fly-in convention has always been the gathering place for every segment of aviation, 2026 promises to be an unforgettable display of what aviation has meant to our nation and to the world at large,” stated Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, in a statement.
Last year marked a record-breaking attendance for AirVenture, with 704,000 visitors, including over 2,000 international attendees from 94 countries. More than 10,000 aircraft arrived at Wittman Regional Airport and nearby locations. “This puts Oshkosh and Wisconsin on the map, not only nationally but internationally,” remarked Amy Albright, executive director of Discover Oshkosh.
Visitors hail from around the globe, with attendees already arriving from Sweden, Australia, and various U.S. states such as Montana, Florida, and Texas. The event has evolved into a family-friendly affair, partly due to EAA’s initiative to offer free entry for children, sparking excitement in young aviation enthusiasts. “You’re seeing a lot of kids getting really excited about aviation,” Albright noted.
The influx of visitors extends beyond the EAA grounds, with many guests staying in nearby communities, including Green Bay and Milwaukee. Local hospitality businesses, including hotels and Airbnb hosts, anticipate a prosperous week. “Everything from, of course, the hotels and restaurants to the shuttle buses to the caterers to the florists, there’s just really no shortage of people that are affected by this,” Albright said.
An analysis by the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh reported a $257 million economic impact from the 2024 AirVenture event, with Oshkosh benefiting from $117 million of this total. “It’s a big deal — $257 million could be equivalent to a pretty good sized manufacturing facility being open for a couple weeks,” explained David Fuller, an economics professor at UW-Oshkosh.
The event stimulates diverse economic activities, supporting over 2,100 jobs in the Fox Valley and 815 in Oshkosh, spanning industries from hospitality to construction. “Different sorts of economic activity are required as a part of the bigger production, and so it spans quite a few potential industries,” Fuller added.
