The 98th National FFA Convention & Expo has come to a close after welcoming a record-breaking 73,000-plus attendees from across the country to downtown Indianapolis. This impact created a nearly $41 million economic boost to the “Circle City.”
As FFA members in blue jackets filled the Indiana Convention Center, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indiana State Fairgrounds and other venues across central Indiana, more than 3,000 delegates and students made a positive impact on the community by taking part in 28 service projects. On-site attendees in the Expo Hall braided more than 70,000 feet of paracord to make 1,541 dog leashes for Indy Humane as part of their Living to Serve initiative.
Throughout the week, more than 13,000 students and teachers expanded their knowledge and expertise by taking part in 141 workshops, including 39 teacher workshops and 102 student workshops. A sea of blue also took over Indy hotels, with more than 100 rooms booked for FFA members.
In the Expo Hall, members networked and connected with more than 300 exhibitors representing a vast range of industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, technology and education. Next door, they shopped at more than 30 different vendors that were part of the ShopFFA Mega Store.
To round out the week, 5,161 American FFA Degrees and 245 Honorary American FFA Degrees were awarded on stage in Lucas Oil Stadium.
