The National FFA Convention isn't in Indianapolis this year, and won't be until 2016. It's ready for the first year of a three-year run in Louisville, Ky., at the Kentucky Fairgrounds and Exposition Center. The National Convention was held there after leaving Kansas City, Mo., and before moving to Indianapolis a half-dozen years ago.
Plenty of Indiana chapters are expected to participate in everything from dairy judging to wildlife judging or just attending sessions. The economic impact will resonate into Indiana even though the Convention isn't held here. That's because hotels in a large circle around Louisville will be booked with more than 50,000 people expected to attend the event. Hotels as far away as Lexington are booked for the event. That's an hour drive west of Louisville!
The demand is so great to see the opening session of the convention that it is repeated three times. Other sessions only happen one time each. A trade show for FFA members and ag advisors put on by companies who want to reach young adults will be held in conjunction with the Convention. The spacious Convention and Exposition Center allows many of the events to occur on site in one location. Due to the nature of the event, a few contests and other events will be held off-site.
Indiana will be officially represented by eight delegates, including the seven 2013-2014 state FFA officers, and Dakota Westphal, an Indiana FFA member selected at large to fill in the eighth delegate spot. The number of delegates allowed per state is based upon enrollment in FFA within the state.
Indiana has teams competing in various contests, and a candidate running for a national FFA office. That selection is done entirely by a selection committee which first narrows the field by half, then conducts more intensive interviews. The six national officers are announced at the final session of the convention.
Indiana Prairie Farmer will attend the convention. Stay tuned for updates.