Get LIVE coverage on RFD-TV and RURAL RADIO throughout the rest of the week (Oct 19th-21st)! Over the last few days, FFA Today has met with important FFA specialists to get an inside look on the exciting things to look forward to throughout the convention.
Hear about all things FFA related on our weekly broadcast, “FFA Today”. The show airs on Saturdays at 7:30am ET and again on Sundays at 5pm ET. Tune in LIVE, online, or via the Sirius XM app to Channel 147.
Cindy Hefner, program manager for the National Officer Management Team at the National FFA Organization joins us on “FFA Today.” Each year, everyone looks forward to the grand reveal of convention’s theme song to set the energy and tone in the arena for the next four days. This year’s song is based on the convention’s theme, “Transform,” decided by the officers, who had to describe what that word meant to them in the context of developing agriculture.
“FFA Today” contributor and host of the Off-Farm Income Podcast, Matt Brechwald interviews Scott Jacobs, Career Development Events (CDE) education specialist, who manages the CDE competition process at the National FFA Convention. Over 3,000 FFA members participate in 25 different CDEs throughout the convention.
“FFA Today” correspondent Micheal Clements catches up with Keisto Lucero, Education Specialist for National FFA, who gives a behind-the-scenes look into the officer selection process during the National Convention. A selection committee is created through nominations of current National FFA participants, followed by a series of interviews and practice speeches.
The annual national convention and expo, which will take place in Louisville, Ky., in 2015, hosts more than 64,000 attendees from across the country. The event is estimated to have an economic impact of $36.2 million for Indianapolis during 2016.
The national convention and expo will utilize downtown venues, including Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Lucas Oil Stadium, the Indiana Convention Center, the Indiana State Fairgrounds and eight event hotels.
“The National FFA Convention & Expo, much like the National FFA headquarters, is right at home here in Indiana,” said Gov. Mike Pence. “Indiana is ready and committed to support this event and welcome with open arms the 64,000 FFA members who will come to our capital city each of the next nine years. Today’s news confirms that Indiana’s reputation is strong and growing stronger, and I appreciate FFA’s commitment to build on our already-robust agricultural heritage in the coming years.”
“Indianapolis is excited to welcome back the National FFA Convention & Expo,” said Mayor Greg Ballard. “Not only does this commitment create an estimated $36 million in annual economic activity for our residents, but FFA is a model conference dedicated to volunteerism and community service that Indianapolis is privileged to host.” The National FFA Convention took place in Kansas City, Mo., from 1928-1998. Louisville then hosted the event from 1999 to 2005, with Indianapolis being the host city from 2006-2012. In 2009, the organization announced the national convention and expo would rotate every three years between Indianapolis and Louisville, with Louisville hosting the event 2013-2015 and Indianapolis hosting the event 2016-2018.
As the membership of the organization has grown so has the attendance of the national convention and expo. Following the 87th National FFA Convention & Expo, the board of the National FFA Organization reviewed the two cities and made the decision to move the national convention and expo to Indianapolis for 2016-2024.
“Our members are tomorrow’s future leaders in agriculture,” Dr. Dwight Armstrong, the chief executive officer of the National FFA Organization, said. “We are excited to introduce these future leaders to the city that FFA calls home.”
“Visit Indy, the City of Indianapolis, and the State of Indiana have an outstanding partnership with the National FFA Organization,” said Leonard Hoops, president and CEO of Visit Indy. “We look forward to delivering a great experience for FFA student members, advisors and families for many years to come.” The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 610,240 student members who belong to one of 7,665 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
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About National FFA Organization The National FFA Organization is a national youth organization of 610,240 student members as part of 7,665 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The National FFA Organization operates under a federal charter granted by the 81st United States Congress and it is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online atFFA.org, on Facebook, Twitter and the official National FFA Organization blog.
About National FFA Foundation
The National FFA Foundation builds partnerships with industry, education, government, other foundations and individuals to secure financial resources that recognize FFA member achievements, develop student leaders and support the future of agricultural education. Governed by a 19-member board of trustees comprised of educators, business leaders, individual donors and FFA alumni, the foundation is a separately-registered nonprofit organization. About 82 percent of every dollar received by the foundation supports FFA members and agricultural education opportunities. For more, visit FFA.org/Give. Click here to download National FFA Convention & Expo B-Roll
