OSHKOSH, WI – EAA is canceling the 2020 AirVenture due to COVID-19 concerns.
“We don’t gamble, we need a sure thing,” CEO Jack Pelton said in a message.
The event is one of Northeast Wisconsin’s biggest events, but the decision was made due to what it takes to put it on successfully.
“We cannot even get to the hangar so our preflight is left to watching the prog charts. While this certainly makes the ability to prepare for the event a scheduling problem, it does not preclude the bigger issue of predicting what will be the health guidelines in July.”
Pelton says by this time, they should have started ramping up the entire site in preparation and volunteers from across the country and world would have started arriving in Oshkosh. The teams would have started settingg up tents and infrastructure, printing wristbands, campers guides, programs and more. Pelton says due to Safer at Home, none of that can happen right now.
Pelton also addressed the Governor’s Badger Bounceback Plan saying right now the state is not even in Phase 1 and Phase 2 limits gatherings to no more than 50 people and Phase 3 allows for mass gatherings with restrictions, none of which would work for an event the size of EAA.
“Our convention attracts EAA members not only from the U.S. but around the world. Today we cannot predict when we will be at a point that our event meets the all clear Phase 3 milestone for mass gathering with restrictions. As your leader, I see no clear path to meet our own requirements to insure the health and safety expectations our organization demands for our employees, members, volunteers, exhibitors and attendees. That includes sanitization, separation and personal protection requirements. ”
Pelton says EAA leaders are disappointed but are looking forward to the 2021 event, which is scheduled for July 26-Aug. 1. He says over the past six weeks, they have looked into every possibility on how to move forward with the event, but it was not feasiable.
“My conclusion is, like in any good flight planning, don’t take the risk. Therefore, I have no choice but to cancel AirVenture 2020. Together, we can come back stronger, safer and ready for AirVenture 2021 and create a memorable world class aviation event. Because of our dedicated and enthusiastic EAA members, our Association is strong. We know that at some point this storm will pass. And over the next 12 months we will continue to support all of you as we again, together, grow EAA in the Spirit of Aviation.”
Those who have already bought tickets or made camping reservations for AirVenture can use them for 2021 or receive a refund. EAA says it will contact those people within two weeks to discuss options.
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