national ffa

More Than 64,000 Expected in Indianapolis for 2017 National FFA Convention & Expo

Dan Education, Industry News Release

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 ffaNational FFA Convention & Expo, held in Indianapolis, the Circle City, Oct. 25-28, 2017. More than 64,000 FFA members from across the United States, representing all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, are expected to attend the event.

Today, 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 advisors will meet in Bankers Life Fieldhouse, where eight of the nine general sessions will be held. 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.

This year, the theme of the convention and expo is “I Can. We Will.”, and the national officer team is excited to share this with all of those in attendance.

“FFA members know that individually they can make a difference, but together, they are stronger and have a louder voice,” says 2016-17 National FFA President David Townsend, a student at the University of Delaware. “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. Attendees will stay in more than 120 hotels throughout the Indianapolis area.

The convention and expo will kick off with the National FFA Band leading a grand march down Georgia Street in downtown Indianapolis on Wednesday, Oct. 25. 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 held at 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 and expo 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, Woodruff Place Civic League and more.

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

This year, stay up-to-date with the National FFA Convention & Expo app. Download it for free on Apple and Android. Features include a customizable convention and expo schedule; cool photo filters; interactive maps; an exhibitor listing; exclusive convention and expo news and updates; a photo challenge; and more. News, features, sights and sounds from the 2017 National FFA Convention & Expo will be published on FFA.org/convention and Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with #ICanWeWillFFA.

The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 653,359 student members who belong to one of 8,568 local FFA chapters throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The organization is also supported by 344,239 alumni members in 2,051 alumni chapters throughout the United States.