The event is presented by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), a national and international organization based in Oshkosh. The airport's control tower is the busiest control tower in the world during the gathering.

"Southwest Airlines is honored to participate in the greatest aviation event in the world," said Chuck Magill, Southwest's Vice President of Flight Operations. "Besides being the ultimate aviation event in the world, Air Venture is the largest event in Wisconsin, and our participation reflects our excitement to be a part of the great state of Wisconsin through our service to Milwaukee."  

In addition to participating in the 2010 Air Venture, Southwest is helping the EAA with its goal of spreading passion about aviation. The organization's Young Eagles program brings aviation to young people, and to raise money for this program, the EAA is raffling an airplane. For as little as $1 a chance, someone could win an Aviat Husky with some impressive add-ons, or a number of other great prizes. All proceeds go to EAA initiatives to light the spark of aviation in youth.  

EAA was founded in 1953 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as an organization for people who were building or restoring their own recreational aircraft. Homebuilding is still a large part of EAA but the organization has grown over the years to include almost every aspect of recreational aviation and aeronautics.