Maker Faire Bay Area by the Numbers

Last month’s Maker Faire Bay Area brought together the largest gathering of Makers in the U.S. with 150,000-plus people converging the San Mateo Event Center over the three-day event.

“Maker Faire is making the Maker Movement accessible to everyone,” said Dale Dougherty, founder and CEO of Maker Media and co-founder of Maker Faire. “Regardless of whether someone is just starting out, has expertise with a particular skill or area, or just wants to observe and appreciate what others are doing, Maker Faire is the place to come and be included, get support and feedback, and enjoy the spirit of the movement. It’s a special gathering and we’re so pleased to create the setting for this magic to happen.”

According to a press release from Make:, highlights from Maker Faire Bay Area 2016 include:

• Announcements about products and new developments from Makers at the Faire included the release of the new Make: Getting Started with Science Journal Kit with Google sold by Maker Media retail partner Barnes & Noble; Printrbot, released its latest 3D printer — the Simple; and GE, along with Make: and Hackster.io, launched the Lights for Life Challenge.

• 150,000 attendees visited the event

• U.S. attendees came from 49 states; others represented 58 countries from around the world

• 37% of attendees were first-time visitors to the Faire

• Maker Faire hosted its second FRIDAY@Makerfaire for Schools program with over 4,000 students in attendance:

• Kindergarten through college students with a large portion coming from elementary and middle schools

• Bay Area schools as well as schools from other parts of California and outside the state

• Schools included public, independent, charter, and homeschool groups as well as afterschool and camp programs, with students from all different backgrounds

• Scholarships were provided to several Bay Area schools with student populations requiring support to attend Maker Faire

• LinkedIn, Roboterra, and ThingLogix sponsored support for some schools to attend Maker Faire

• 1,300 Maker projects were represented including performances and attractions

• 500 Maker entries included hands-on activities for attendees

• 20% of Makers were first-time exhibitors

• International Makers were represented in 55 exhibits around the Faire

• Over 200 presentations across 8 stages were held with leaders of the Maker Movement

• Maker Faire continues its sustainability program as it remains a core value across the Faire from set-up through to tear-down and involving Makers, Faire organizers, and attendees. Data points from the sustainability program include:

• Total waste diversion rate of 80%

• 5.98 tons total waste was diverted to recycling

• 5.67 tons of waste collected for compost

• 1,250 lbs. of materials were donated for reuse

• 1.6 tons of cooking oil was collected to be turned into biofuel

• 50 volunteers supported the program over the weekend