Before thousands of blue jackets flood the streets of Indianapolis, the city transforms itself to welcome over 70,000 members and guests to the national convention. Behind the scenes are months of planning to make the convention experience truly unforgettable.
“Preparation for the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo actually happens when we closed the 97th convention last year,” says Christine White, chief program officer at National FFA. “Our staff takes two days off and we start production for the next year.”
The convention is a citywide effort to ensure members are cared for from the moment they arrive.
“It’s a blessing that National FFA is headquartered right here in Indianapolis; our partnership allows us to work with Visit Indy, our public safety, as well as the hospitality industry here in the city,” White says.
In the days leading up to convention, teams have only a short window to transform an NFL football stadium into the stage for the largest student-led convention in the country.
“Twenty four hours ago, I was here in Lucas Oil Stadium for the Colts game, and then today you’re seeing the transformation from a stadium into a place filled with energy, blue jackets, FFA members and that youth voice just celebrating all the best things that FFA and agriculture has to offer,” White says.
While National FFA has a staff of 114 people working tirelessly to plan, organize and oversee the convention, it takes a massive team of volunteers from across Indianapolis to bring it all together.
“The city of Indianapolis shows up for our convention with more than 5,000 volunteers,” she says. “So this event is driven by 114, but powered by thousands to make sure that we’re having a wonderful experience for young people.”
For the National FFA Organization, it’s more than a convention — it’s a celebration of leadership, learning and the future of agriculture.
