More than 60,000 Expected for 2015 National FFA Convention & Expo

The 2015 National FFA Convention & Expo will celebrate its last year of its three-year run in Louisville beginning Oct. 28. More than 60,000 FFA members and guests from throughout the United States are expected at this year's event, which runs through Oct. 31.

The convention and expo will bring an estimated economic impact of $40 million, making it the largest convention for Louisville this year. Attendees will stay in 136 hotels within a 60-mile radius of Louisville. After this year, the convention and expo will move to Indianapolis from 2016-2024.

“Amplify” is the theme for this year’s convention and expo. "With the opportunities we are given in our lives, we must take action and share the message of agriculture with others," said 2015-16 National FFA President Andy Paul, a student at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Georgia. “It's time we all amplify our voice when it comes to the message of agriculture, and boost our impact.”

Nine general sessions will draw FFA members together at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Students will have countless opportunities to engage exhibitors from more than 450 corporations, organizations and colleges at the expo inside the center. Other events will be held at venues downtown, in the suburbs and beyond.

This year marks the 85th anniversary of the National FFA Creed as well as the 50th anniversary of the merger of New Farmers of America, an agricultural organization for African-American students, with the National FFA Organization.

The convention and expo will kick off with keynote speaker Rick Rigsby during the opening sessions on Oct. 28 and 29. On Friday morning, past state FFA officer Amberley Snyder will share her message with FFA members on how she overcame adversity, and that evening, Brad Montague, who developed the idea for Kid President, will share his story.

Throughout the week, students will attend more than 70 leadership and personal growth workshops. FFA members will tour industry destinations, including Papa John’s international headquarters, Ford’s Louisville assembly plant, Churchill Downs and more.

FFA members will roll up their sleeves and participate in several planned community-service initiatives starting Oct. 29 as part of the National Days of Service. FFA members will pitch in and help a host of local organizations, including YouthBuild Louisville, where young adults realize their potential through the development of life and job skills; The Parklands of Floyds Fork, where the goal is to build a world-class, systemic addition to Louisville's park system; and Louisville Grows, Inc., an organization promoting urban agriculture and forestry.

The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 629,367 student members who belong to one of 7,757 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.