More than 64,000 expected in Indy for FFA Convention

INDIANAPOLIS – Innovators and leaders of tomorrow, FFA members make a difference by sharing their stories of agricultural education and FFA. This year, members will continue the tradition as they attend the 90th National FFA Convention & Expo in the Circle City Oct. 25-28.

More than 64,000 FFA members from across the U.S., representing all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, are expected to attend the event.

The 2016-17 National FFA Officers will dye the downtown Indy canal blue, as a precursor to the thousands of blue jackets that will be seen throughout the city of Indianapolis next week.

In addition to celebrating the upcoming national convention, FFA also announced its record membership numbers for the year: 653,359 FFA members, 8,568 FFA chapters and more than 344,000 FFA Alumni members and 2,051 FFA Alumni chapters.

Convention and expo events will take place at several venues in downtown Indianapolis and surrounding areas. FFA members and advisers will meet in Bankers Life Fieldhouse, where eight of the nine general sessions will be conducted. At the Indiana Convention Center, members can explore the expo or expand their minds by attending a variety of workshops or participating in education and career success tours.

“FFA members know that individually they can make a difference, but together, they are stronger and have a louder voice,” 2016-17 National FFA President David Townsend, a student at the University of Delaware, said. “The National FFA Convention & Expo gives members an opportunity to learn from one another on how we can continue to grow leaders, strengthen agriculture and build our communities.”

The national convention and expo will have an estimated $33 million impact on the city as attendees stay in more than 120 hotels throughout the area.

The convention will kick off with the National FFA Band leading a grand march down Georgia Street in downtown Indianapolis on Wednesday. The march will end at Bankers Life Fieldhouse and usher in the start of the opening session. On the morning of Saturday, Oct. 28, the eighth general session will be staged in Lucas Oil Stadium where American FFA Degrees, the highest degree for an FFA member, will be bestowed upon more than 4,000 members.

Throughout the week, convention attendees will also be lending a helping hand to the greater Indianapolis area as part of the National Days of Service. Areas where students will be giving back to the community include Gleaners Food Bank, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Growing Places Indy, White River State Park and more.

The National FFA Convention & Expo is scheduled in Indianapolis through 2024.