50 Years of EAA Fly-Ins Honored by Oshkosh

March 21, 2019 - This week, EAA received an inaugural Community Partnership Award from the City of Oshkosh in recognition of 50 consecutive years of EAA fly-in conventions in the city. The award came during Oshkosh’s annual State of the City program on March 18.

In announcing the award, Oshkosh Common Council members Steve Herman and Matt Mugerauer highlighted the annual economic impact of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh week — an estimated $170 million annually for the region — as well as the worldwide visibility Oshkosh receives because of the event and EAA’s year-round presence.

Karen Kryzaniak, EAA’s vice president of risk management and human resources, and Dick Knapinski, EAA director of communications, accepted the award on behalf of EAA. Knapinski noted that AirVenture came to Oshkosh because EAA founder Paul Poberezny was seeking a new home for the fly-in in late 1969 after the event outgrew its Rockford, Illinois, site. He also noted that over the past five decades, the name Oshkosh has become synonymous with an annual experience and culture, beyond just an event.

“On behalf of the entire aviation world, we thank you,” Knapinski told the audience. “EAA is very proud to call Oshkosh our hometown.” EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019 is July 22-28, with the latest news on features and activities regularly updated at www.EAA.org/airventure.