EAA AirVenture’s Economic Impact Soars to $257M

University study shows the annual event is a major driver of jobs and growth in the Oshkosh, Wisconsin, area.

Parris Clarke

Friday, July 18, 2025 at 12:03 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

EAA AirVenture starts Monday and runs through Sunday, July 27, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. [FLYING Archive]

Key Takeaways:

An independent study shows EAA AirVenture generates a $257 million economic impact for Wisconsin's Fox Valley region, with $171 million in direct spending.
The annual fly-in event supports over 2,000 jobs locally and attracts a global audience, with more than 70% of attendees traveling from outside Wisconsin.
Since 2017, the event's economic impact has grown by over $80 million, paralleling an increase in attendance from 590,000 to an expected 686,000 visitors.

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A new study released Thursday shows that EAA AirVenture is more than just a global gathering for aviation enthusiasts but a significant driver of economic growth for Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and the surrounding areas.

An independent report from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (UWO) shows that the annual fly-in event generates $257 million of economic impact for the Fox Valley region. Of this, $171 million is direct spending in the five counties in the region—Winnebago, Fond du Lac, Outagamie, Calumet, and Brown. The additional $86 million of impact recirculates throughout the community due to the event’s presence.