Important Convention Information

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Lucas Oil Stadium: The Place to be for Fun

FFA is excited to again use Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts, for these events:

American Degree Reception

The National FFA Organization will host an American Degree reception from 7 - 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23, prior to Saturday’s American Degree Ceremony. The reception, in the Sagamore Ballroom at the Indiana Convention Center, will feature former national FFA officer Andrew McCrea. All American Degree recipients receive one free admission. Additional reception tickets can be purchased through registration.

Stars Over America Pageant & American Degree Ceremony

The Stars Over America Pageant will be held on Saturday morning, Oct. 24, in conjunction with the American Degree Ceremony at Lucas Oil Stadium. FFA will also show a video on the 16 Star finalists during Thursday evening’s session so general session attendees can see the finalists.

Following the Stars presentation, American Degrees will be handed out beginning with Alabama and ending with Wyoming (A-Z). All recipients can request up to three free tickets to the Saturday ceremony during the Eighth General Session.

Downtown Environment

FFA members and activities will be in the middle of an exciting downtown city. Indianapolis is clean, safe, well-lit and easy to navigate. Please remember there will be a substantial amount of traffic surrounding convention locations, which include the Indiana Convention Center, Lucas Oil Stadium, Conseco Fieldhouse, Indiana State Fairgrounds and eight event hotels.

The downtown thoroughfare between the Indiana Convention Center and Conseco Fieldhouse will be partially cordoned off for pedestrian traffic. The street will be renamed “FFA Way” in honor of the convention and staffed with Indianapolis Metropolitan Police officers and volunteers to assist convention attendees back and forth between convention venues. There will still be automobile traffic on this street, so be attentive.

Because many people, including FFA members and advisors, are always looking for ways to help others, Indianapolis recently began a campaign to assist the city’s homeless. Secure, drop-boxes will be located throughout downtown, each displaying a message urging residents and visitors to “Chip in at The Box.” If you wish to donate your change, please put it in “The Box” and do not give any donations to panhandlers. Visit http://www.chipindy.org/Chip.htm for more information.

ACT Testing

The ACT Test will be offered in Indianapolis on Saturday, October 24.  Registration deadline is September 18.  The testing locations within Indianapolis will be available mid-July.  Visit the ACT website for more information. 

Road Restrictions

Due to the expansion of the Indiana Convention Center and the building of a new downtown hotel complex, there will be several lane closures. For complete construction updates, visit www.indydt.com/streetclosings.cfm?&lm=vd.

Travel Safety

Make sure students are familiar with general safety practices. If you’re traveling to the national FFA convention in a 15-passenger van, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s safety advisory recommends these precautions:

For more safety tips on 15-passenger vans, visit www.safercar.gov, click on 15-passenger Van Safety.

The New Indianapolis International Airport

New in 2008, the state-of-the-art Indianapolis International Airport is currently served by 11 major airlines offering 155 daily departures to 37 non-stop destinations. The airport is a 15-minute drive from the heart of downtown’s convention and entertainment district. For more information, visit the airport’s website, www.indianapolisairport.com.

Indiana State Fairgrounds

Ten Career Development Events (CDEs) will take place at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, 38 blocks north of downtown Indianapolis. The fairgrounds are self-contained, with fencing surrounding the facility. Ample food and beverages will be for sale, and breaks have been built into the CDE schedules for meals and snacks. We suggest you take advantage of these food options, as there are limited restaurants in the area. The fairgrounds are surrounded by residential neighborhoods and commercial areas with busy streets, so we suggest your group stay inside the grounds for all activities. A free shuttle between the convention center and the fairgrounds will be available for convention and CDE participants on Wednesday and Thursday. For more fairgrounds information, consult your CDE team orientation packet and the shuttle information.

Tax Exemption

FFA chapters are not eligible for tax exemption in Indiana. All housing rates quoted and provided to chapters using the Indianapolis housing block include all appropriate taxes.

Badges and Curfew

For recognition, safety and security, please instruct students and attendees to wear convention badges at all times – not just when attending sessions or the career show. These badges will assist Indianapolis volunteers identify convention attendees should they need directions to convention events. Indianapolis has an 11 p.m. curfew for minors under 18, and Circle Centre Mall has a 9 p.m. curfew on weeknights. FFA members attending the convention will be exempt from this curfew, but only if they can be easily identified and are behaving appropriately. Please note: This does not allow students free run in the city at night.

Registration

Last year, the National FFA Board of Directors set the national FFA convention registration fee at $50. A $10 registration discount will be applied for chapters using the housing block and who pre-register.

During the past five years, FFA has seen a steady increase in the convention’s operational costs as the convention has continued to evolve into a larger, more dynamic event. Sponsorship and other revenue have helped offset convention costs–up to a point. Convention registration fees still cover just 22 percent of the cost of convention. FFA members are provided a tremendous experience at the most affordable price possible.

Back for 2009

The Laser Show!

Get ready to be dazzled during each convention session in Conseco Fieldhouse, sponsored by Monsanto and Dekalb WingWear as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.

Exhibits at Lucas Oil Stadium – OPEN Wednesday-Friday

FFA Grand March Convention Image

On Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 2:30 p.m., join the National FFA Band and Chorus and state flags in a march down FFA Way to Conseco Fieldhouse for the opening session. The march will begin outside the east doors of the Indiana Convention Center, continue down FFA Way and end on the steps of Conseco Court Plaza.

Shipping Home Made Easy

Thanks to UPS, your chapter will be able to send a large package home FREE!

Upon arrival to convention, stop by the UPS booth in the Maryland Street Lobby and pick up your pre-addressed, pre-paid shipping package! Enjoy gathering your great FFA items; fill the package, seal it and drop it in one of the UPS drop boxes in the convention center! It may beat you home!

 

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The Convention website is sponsored in part by STIHL as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.

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