Hamvention 2019 attendance was 32,472, announced by the HV Executive Team. This is the highest recorded since the move to the Greene County Fairgrounds and Exposition Center in Xenia, Ohio. “Our early indications were that would be a big year and it lived up to our expectations,” said Hamvention General Chair Jack Gerbs, WB8SCT. “Our more than 700 volunteers worked hard to ensure that we presented a great show for our visitors. It wouldn't have been possible without them. I also want to thank all our vendors and visitors and hope they will all be back next year." A small part of the increased attendance might be due to the free tickets for admission on Sunday. Sunday only tickets accounted for 800+ of the total attendance. The free day was an effort to allow local non-hams to experience Hamvention. It is expected to be continued next year . Assistant General Chair Rick Allnutt, WS8G, said that amateur operators from all U.S. states and territories and 60 other countries attended Hamvention 2019. He said comments received about the show were overwhelming positive. According to Gerbs, the Agricultural Society, Greene County, Xenia Township and the City of Xenia all cooperated in making Hamvention 2019 a success. Hamvention, the world's largest ham radio show, is sponsored by the Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA). It is held the third full weekend in May. The dates for 2020 are May 15, 16 and 17.
Hasn't it been just a couple years since they moved it to 'Xenia? How does it compare to the years leading up to the move? Just curious. Since I live within an hour of Orlando, Hamcation is my point of reference (where walking around is like being in "FROGGER" where you are trying to not get run over by the scooters).
Sure miss Hara.....but it's all but destroyed now.......have not attended hamvention at the new venue.
Hamvention 2019 was basically the second largest attendance on record. Ever. The fact that Xenia location for Hamvention (move was in 2017) is showing (virtually) record attendance tells you how well its working at this new venue. You should go next year--great time!
This was the 3rd year at the fairgrounds. I was at the first 2 but didn't make it this year, also did the last 3 or more at Hara. The fairgrounds are so much better! I think it will really start humming when they get the new building up, that's got to really help. Maybe get some more paving going on down at the infield. The food vendors ROCK!
Hamvention Attendance Reports Previous attendances; 1952: 600 53-90 - no reports 1991: 33,500 1992: 33,000 1993: 33,669 1994: 35,000 1995: 33,000 1996: Changed from Late April to May 1997: 28,000 1998: 28,120 1999: 28,176 2000: 28,804 2001: 26,151 2002: 24,832 2003: 22,168 2004: 19,869 2005: 20,411 2006: 20,324 2007: 19,318 2008: 17,250 2009: 18,877 2010: 19,750 2011: 22,312 2012: 24,483 2013: 24,542 2014: 24,873 2015: 25,621 2016: 25,364 - Last year at Hara Arena, Trotwood 2017: 29,296 - First year - Green County Fairgrounds, Xenia 2018: 28,417 2019: 32,472
If we do it by the average hammy weight then I think 2019 is certainly a winner, weight wise that is. In 1994 the average males weight was 15 pounds less than today so let's just say 175 lbs in 1994 for the average hammy. Yeah I know some of you are saying that you saw a lot of hammy's ridding around in scooters that were probably pushin 300 to 500lbs and even with 6 HT's on the belt this number goes up 5 to 10 lbs but we really shouldn't be counting accessories and I'd still bet that in 1994 there were a lot of HT's on the average hammy belts so we'll just do hammy weight with zero accessories. Since we need to do an apples to apples, or maybe I should say bacon to bacon, comparison let's say 175 lbs average hammy lbs in 1994, no added HT's etc either so in 1994, 175 hammy lbs is equal to 190 hammy lbs in 2019. 1994 hammy lbs: hammys weight in hamvention=6.125 million lbs. In 2019 Lbs we have 175 +15 =190 lbs. 190 times 32472=6.16968 million lbs thru the hamvention door on the flooring etc. Yep hamvention 2019 is/was a winner, hammy weight wise that is.
I drove from Colorado to Hamvention and really enjoyed myself. I would love to go again. Two suggestions though - there should be more places to sit in the shade. It was hot and there were few places to rest. 2nd is water. There should be places to fill up a canteen. The heat can cause dehydration which cal lead to heatstroke. Big problem! Next time I will bring a backpackable chair and water.