A Message from Hamvention General Chairman Ron Cramer, KD8ENJ 29,296 Attendees at Dayton Hamvention® 2017 It took a while to collect all the information but the numbers are in and it has been a most successful year. This is quite an increase over last year’s attendance. We knew this would be a big year but this was even beyond our expectations. The challenge was great to reinvent Hamvention® at a new venue, The Greene County Expo Center and Fairgrounds in a very short time period. From all the emails, letters, and calls I have received over the last few weeks, we have accomplished it successfully. Thanks to all who provided constructive criticism, each idea is being evaluated. Please thank all our 657 volunteers from around the world for their over the top dedication to make Hamvention the success you wanted it to be. We all recognize the traffic, rain, mud and parking issues, but part of those issues were corrected even before show weekend was over. Other issues are being worked on already for next year’s show. We are working with Greene County, Xenia Township, City of Xenia officials and the Greene County Fairgrounds and Exposition Center Advisory Board. We can’t control the rain but we promise there will not be some of the other issues next year. There may even be some new surprises in store for you. We have three extra months and a successful plan to start with. We thank all who came to the show this first year in Greene County and hope to see you again next year. For those that thought they would wait and see how we did, sorry you missed the show but look forward to seeing you next year. Our rough edges will be smoothed out for you by then. Thank You, and Hope to see all next year at our New Home, Ron Cramer Hamvention® General Chair
This IS 'Dayton'. You mean HARA. Its up at least 5000 from last year and almost 10,000 from the dip a few years back. Excellent sign! It clearly shows that the VENUE, not the Ham BASE, was the deciding factor in the decline we saw at HARA.
As the old saying goes: location location location. Or in this case Venue, I liked the new venue over the old venue for a number of reasons, better food, more room, better of site parking and it seems like it is less crowded even with a full house. The rain and mud issues is something no-one can predict. I fully anticipated some issues, I knew it was not going to be perfect. It did however surpass my expectations. I hope more will come and see what you guys have done, and improve upon what you already have. Two thoughts, a little air movement would be nice in the halls, hopefully another building and lastly, some changes in the flea market area. Ron KB9ZB
Never could bring myself to attend at the old location. The desire was there, just not thrilled about the hassles. The only negative thing I can find from Xenia, is the drainage problem. Air movement could be an easy fix, if you have ever seen the HUGE fans in many dairy barns across the country. Could be time to look into recycled tires for walkways. (ground up into chips) They are used in equestrian facilities, and have very solid footing. Can be stored in a pile outside, off season, if you choose to do so. The product laying equipment is available through construction rental facilities. Whatever the "powers that be" decide, I'll be there next year!
From http://hamgallery.com/gallery/D/hamvention.htm: 1998: 28,120 1999: 28,127 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: 17,253 2009: 18,877 2010: 19,750 2011: 22,312 2012: 24,483 2013: 24,542 2014: 24,873 2015: 25,621 2016: 25,364 2017: 29,296 Looks like Xenia was the largest Hamvention since they shifted from April to May (in the mid 90's April attendance figures were running low-mid 30's).
As a special interest group, the margin for non-hams attending was likely very low on any given year and one would expect the percentage to remain fairly consistent over the years. If so out of licenses issued, the percentage increase. 1998 673,973 4.17% attended 2007 652,984 2.95% attended 2008 658,648 2.61% attended 2016 739,238 3.43% attended 2017 743,412 3.94% attended Trade show attendance has been on the decline and 2008 was a low point in general. Getting a .5% increase during a period of decline speaks loudly to the efforts of the folks putting on the hamvention, well done!
How are attendance figures calculated? Is this simply the number through the gates, added together for each day? I think that is normal for such events. What that means, in the case that lets say 70% of the attendees came to all three days, is that actual "number of visitors" is less than the 29K given. Alternatively if the figures are based on ticket sales and everyone who bought a ticket attended, (and those who attended the full 3 days bought a 3 day ticket, not 3 x 1 day tickets), the numbers would be more accurate. Just interested to know... Well done to DARA on a successful Hamfest! 73 Ed.
This was my first Hamvention, so I've nothing to compare it against, but I had a great time! The venue was excellent, but I'm certainly glad I have a 4-wheel drive. No one can control mother nature. DARA must be congratulated on the incredible work that they put into to this event. I also loved the fact that it seemed that a lot of the Xenia community seemed involved and into it. I will be back for the next one (God and wife willing). 73 Mike (K2ZAD)
They shifted from April to May to try to lessen the chance of rain. What the actually accomplished was to move the April showers into May. Really screwed up the climate around here.
My understanding is they count the number of tickets sold. Since they send batches of tickets to other vendors, they don't know how many are actually sold until sometime after. Like now. Entries through the gate are not counted. Some time ago, a hamfest in Japan made the claim they had passed Hamvention, but on further investigation we learned they were counting multiple entries/days as unique attendees.