XENIA — Hamvention, the world’s biggest amateur radio show, is underway in Greene County.
The annual, three-day show began Friday morning, bringing more than an estimated 30,000 people to the Greene County Fair and Expo Center.
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Hamvention brings in upwards of $30 million into the Miami Valley’s economy and event leaders News Center 7 spoke to said this year’s event will bring in people from all over the world.
“It’s all continents pretty much. Antarctica maybe, maybe not but Asia, Europe, South America, Africa they’ll all be here,” Jim Storms, 2023 Hamvention General Chair, said.
Michael Kalter, a Hamvention spokesperson, said they anticipated people from around 68 countries to check it all out.
“It’s just amazing how many people this attracts,” Kalter said.
On top of the millions of dollars the event brings in, it also brings in tons of exposure that benefits vendors, like DX Engineering.
“This is a big deal for us because this kicks off the summer season,” Tim Duffy, Chief Executive Officer of DX Engineering, told News Center 7.
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He said during Hamvention, interest in his product skyrockets.
“We do notice a spike in sales and interest in the hobby is at an all-time high,” Duffy said.
Outside of the convention, restaurants also see an increase in business.
“We have a lot of reservations, we can’t even take anymore,” Karly Cloud, a hostess said.
The convention runs today and tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday.
We’ll have more from Hamvention tonight on News Center 7 starting at 5 p.m.
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