Each July, aviation enthusiasts and industry leaders worldwide gather at the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. For over two decades, representatives from Oklahoma, including the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA) and Oklahoma Department of Commerce, have consistently showcased the state’s growing role in the aerospace industry at this premier global event.
Spanning from July 22-28, EAA AirVenture, the world’s largest fly-in convention, featured breathtaking airshow performances, extensive aircraft displays, educational forums, on-airport camping, STEM activities, and even a runway 5K. "Oklahoma must have a presence in Oshkosh. This is the largest global general and business aviation airshow, offering a unique environment for economic developers to engage with companies eager to relocate or expand their operations," said Grayson Ardies, Executive Director of ODAA. "Oklahoma is investing heavily in airport infrastructure, preparing our communities to welcome new developments."
As the event celebrated its 71st year, business and community partners from across Oklahoma, including the Oklahoma Department of Commerce ACES Program, Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics, Ada Jobs Foundation, Ardmore Development Authority, City of Elk City, Mint Turbines, Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education (OAIRE), and the City of Watonga/Watonga Regional Airport made the journey to bring home economic development opportunities for their respective airports and cities.
"My first trip to the EAA AirVenture was spectacular! Attending on behalf of the Ada Jobs Foundation provided me with an exciting opportunity to promote the state’s growing aviation and aerospace industry while marketing the City of Ada and our unique opportunities," said Peggy Saunkeah, Executive Director, Ada Jobs Foundation. "Whether it was attending the Women in Aviation luncheon, watching the exhilarating daily airshows, or engaging with people from around the world, Oshkosh offered a wealth of information and connections for the future."
In 1971, the EAA airshow at Oshkosh brought in 600 planes and 31,653 aircraft movements. Today, AirVenture welcomes over 10,000 airplanes, making it a must-attend event for aviation enthusiasts and professionals alike.
“The City of Bartlesville and our airport have a significant history in Oklahoma aviation,” said Chris Batchelder, VP of Business Development at the Bartlesville Development Authority. “From the Woolaroc flight in 1927, to 1934 when Wiley Post broke the world's flight altitude record flying nine miles above our city, with both events using world-famous Phillips 66 aviation fuels developed right here in Bartlesville, to present day as we have been hosting major fly-ins for decades, drawing thousands of aviation enthusiasts and families; our community embraces aerospace and is recruiting companies to our airport as an important part of our portfolio of economic development efforts.”
Located in Hangar C, the Oklahoma booth highlighted the state’s 108 airports within the Oklahoma Airport System, aviation safety initiatives, aeronautical education programs, and the aerospace industry’s significant impact on Oklahoma's economy.
"We have been exhibitors for a number of years, partnering with the State of Oklahoma. For the Ardmore community, with two airports within our city limits, the opportunity to discuss our airfield resources, economic development, and our ongoing efforts to modernize our runways is invaluable," said Dan Luttrell, Airport Director, Ardmore Development Authority. "EAA AirVenture keeps Ardmore’s airports in the conversation, and we’re open for all aviation business."
A delegation of Oklahoma legislators attended the event, conducting several business meetings with companies interested in potentially locating their operations in the state. The group met with an Italian aircraft manufacturer and discussed possible site visits at Ardmore, Bartlesville, Pryor, and Tulsa. "This was my first business development trip on behalf of Oklahoma Commerce to the EAA AirVenture. The quality of medium and large companies present was impressive, and we look forward to following up through our ACES Program," said Brent Wright, Strategic Advisor, Aerospace & Defense, Oklahoma Department of Commerce.
A highlight of the week featured the annual Oklahoma Luncheon where 200 persons gathered to celebrate the industry. The keynote speaker featured Jim Bridenstine, and other presenters included a representative from Spartan Aviation, Commissioner Blake Raney, Sen. Paul Rosino, Sen. John Haste, Speaker Pro Tem Hilbert, Rep. Nicole Miller, and Sen. Adam Pugh.
Lunch sponsors included Covington Aircraft, Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, General Aviation Modifications, Inc., Garver, Lochner, Mint Turbines, University of Oklahoma College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences, ASAP Energy, Airwolf Filter Corp, Cirrus Aircraft Oklahoma, and Parkhill.
Aviation and aerospace are vital to Oklahoma's economy, producing nearly $44 billion in annual economic activity and supporting 206,000 jobs with an $11.7 billion payroll. The average salary in this sector is over $73,000, reflecting its importance as the state's second-largest industry.
With upcoming developments at our own airport we were thrilled to attend Oshkosh to showcase aviation in Oklahoma. This was Watonga’s first year to attend as a community partner and this trip provided a wide range of insight to the potential opportunities we have for our community,” said Jena Ohman, airport manager, Watonga Regional Airport, City of Watonga.
"Oklahoma’s aviation and aerospace industry, supported by 104 general aviation airports and 4 commercial airports, continues to drive economic growth," added Ardies. "Our presence at events like EAA AirVenture is crucial to sustaining this momentum and attracting new business to the state."
"Oshkosh was an eye-opening experience, offering invaluable insights and connections," concluded Saunkeah. "I’m excited about Ada’s future involvement and the potential for our community to continue benefiting from this premier event."
2024 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh:
Attendance: 686,000 people attended, breaking the previous record of 677,000 set in 2023
Exhibitors: 861 exhibitors participated, up from 848 in 2023; with 98 countries represented, a new record.
Aircraft: 10,000 aircraft arrived at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh and other airports in east-central Wisconsin, and there were 16,780 aircraft operations from July 18–28
Showplanes: 2,846 showplanes participated, including 1,200 vintage aircraft, 975 homebuilt, 337 warbirds, 154 ultralights and light planes, 82 aerobatic aircraft, 65 seaplanes and amphibians, 23 rotorcraft, and 10 balloons.
Economic impact: The event had an economic impact of $170 million on the five counties in the Oshkosh region: Winnebago, Outagamie, Fond du Lac, Calumet, and Brown.
EAA Aviation Foundation: The foundation raised $2,800,000 to support aviation education programs.