By DAVE BLOWER JR.
Farm World Editor

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The annual National FFA Convention will rotate between Indianapolis and Louisville, Ky. for several years to come.

The National FFA Organization made the announcement last week. Indianapolis has been the event’s host for the past three years, and the city is under contract to host it until 2012.

Starting in 2013, the city will share this duty with Louisville on a three-year rotational basis. Louisville will host the convention 2013-15. The convention will return to Indianapolis for the years 2016-18. After a return engagement with Louisville, Indianapolis will have the first right of option for the years 2022-24.

FFA CEO and National FFA Advisor Dr. Larry Case was pleased with both hosts.

“Both cities have welcomed FFA with outstanding hospitality,” said Case. “Indianapolis and Louisville have both proven their ability to put on a world-class event for our members, advisors and guests.”
Indianapolis officials said they were happy to continue to host the convention, which brings more than 54,000 FFA members from across the country to the city.

“It’s great news to learn that Indianapolis has once again been selected to host the National FFA Convention,” said Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard. “The positive impact of this event, and these outstanding young people, on our city is undeniable. Indianapolis has much to offer FFA members, advisors and guests, from new downtown hotels to world-class sporting events, arts and entertainment.”

Don Welsh, president and CEO of the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Assoc., added that sharing the event with Louisville is acceptible.

“We are elated to continue to be the host of the national FFA convention through 2012 and beyond. It’s the biggest and one of our most important city-wide conventions,” said Don Welsh, CEO of the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Assoc. “We understand and respect the decision to put Louisville in the mix. It is a great city and destination in close proximity to Indianapolis. We know it was a great host city for FFA prior to coming to Indianapolis. We look forward to continuing working with National FFA leadership and our local partners on ways to provide an exceptional experience for these outstanding young men and women.”

The nation’s largest annual youth gathering generates an estimated annual revenue $40 million for local economies.
“The city of Indianapolis has extended its very best brand of Hoosier Hospitality to our organization and its members,” said FFA President Paul Moya. “This host city arrangement will allow all our future members to take part in the Indianapolis convention experience during their high school years.”

The convention was previously in Louisville from 1999 through 2005.

“We welcome FFA back to Louisville with open arms,” said Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson. “Our city has so much to offer these young men and women from top notch hotel accommodations to entertainment and, soon, a new downtown arena. FFA’s homecoming is great news for Louisville at a time when a sour economy has been grabbing headlines.”

Kentucky Ag Commissioner Richie Farmer welcomed news that the Convention is returning to the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.

“We are thrilled to have the National FFA Convention back in Kentucky,” Farmer said. “The decision to bring it back is a tribute to the Expo Center, greater Louisville, and Kentucky’s dynamic FFA organization. This convention will give a tremendous economic boost to Louisville and all of Kentucky.”

Moya said, “I’m confident that our members will look forward to experiencing both unique cities during their high school years.”
At the announcement, FFA representatives presented Indianapolis officials with commemorative blue corduroy banners showcasing the FFA emblem and the years the city will host the convention. The 2009 event is scheduled for Oct. 21-24.

The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of 507,763 student members - all preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture - as part of 7,439 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

The National FFA Organization changed to its present name in 1988.

Visit www.ffa.org for more details.