Purpose
Virginia FFA members travel to National FFA Convention & Expo to compete in Career and Leadership Development Events, receive American FFA Degrees, participate in National Leadership Development Workshops, take part in the National FFA Day of Service, attend general sessions, and browse the National FFA Career Show. Participation in this convention has allowed our students to see the sites, make new friends and participate in events with students from all across the country. After setting the organization’s course for the coming year with official delegate sessions, active debate and the election of new student officers, FFA members return to their chapters with new experiences to share with their communities. All of the events our students participate in take place in an energetic, action-packed and fun-filled learning environment. In a few short days students take advantage of opportunities that will impact them for a lifetime. This is why we believe so strongly in local, state and national FFA programs. Our students are learning valuable science and technical skills, exploring career opportunities and nurturing leadership proficiencies.
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Virginia FFA State Trip
In an effort to save money and in order to encourage chapters to stay together so that members can develop friendships with other students across the commonwealth, the Virginia FFA Association coordinates a state trip. The state will continue to facilitate this trip as long as there is interest and support from Virginia Agricultural Educators and FFA Chapters. Virginia FFA arranges available rooms for schools as requested by advisors, with all room assignments made at the discretion of the local advisor. We encourage local advisors to work with other FFA chapters in order to maximize the use of a room while minimizing the cost per student.
Virginia FFA has set the following costs associated with lodging, transportation, etc:
2019 Lodging: $205 per room per night
2019 Bus Seat: $185 per bus seat (price set by Governing Board)
Advisors will need to mail Virginia specific waiver forms for all students who will be attending the National FFA Convention & Expo. This form is different from the form that is to be completed for student competition in National Events. These forms should be received via snail mail to 115 Hutcheson Hall no later than 10/13/19.
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Transportation
Chapters are free to make their own transportation arrangements, however all parking fees and other costs will be the local chapter’s responsibility, they are not included in any of the National Convention & Expo fees charged by Virginia FFA.
State Bus
Virginia FFA coordinates a group of charter buses that depart from different locations throughout Virginia and travel to Indianapolis Hotel. The travel schedule and map for pickup locations is set after registrations have been collected. Your chapter may have to travel to meet the bus at a pickup location determined by Virginia FFA. The state buses will depart the morning of October 29th and make their way to Indianapolis picking up passengers at locations set by the state. The bus will depart back for Virginia on November 2nd.
Airline
Transportation from the airport to the hotel is provided by the hotel.
Train
Several chapters have taken the train from Virginia to Indianapolis, IN. If you ask the hotel to check in early then you will be responsible for the additional charges. Once again, this is not state arranged and it up to the chapter if they choose to travel this way. The site to arrange for train transportation via Amtrak is: www.amtrak.com.
Driving
Plan to pay $20 a night for parking at minimum.
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Housing Block
Once again, our state has decided to offer a housing block for chapters. Please understand that this block is offered as a convenience for FFA chapters and advisors and the vast majority of states do not offer such a service. This housing block allows FFA chapters to stay close in the same hotel as other chapters from the state and closer to the convention center. Chapters are free to make their own housing arrangements at a hotel outside the Virginia Housing Block, however all fees and other costs will be the local chapter’s responsibility, they are not included in any of the National Convention & Expo fees charged by Virginia FFA.
2019 Virginia Housing Block Hotel
Wyndham Indianapolis West
2544 Executive Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46241
Room Types
Virginia has been allotted Standard Double Guest rooms.
Although Virginia FFA attempts to place chapter rooms near each other or as requested, it is ultimately the hotel who sets rooming assignments and not the responsibility of Virginia FFA. Virginia FFA is not responsible for finding roommates and/or grouping chapters in rooms together.
Deposit
Once all chapters have completed the registration form (after 7/23/2019) your chapter will receive an invoice that will indicate which room type(s) your chapter was allocated. This invoice will be for a $250 (one night) deposit per room requested. For example, if your chapter requests two rooms you will receive an invoice for a $500 deposit. Deposit checks will be due 09/01/19. The balance will be due 10/12/19.
Convention Payment Information
Please make all convention checks payable to Virginia FFA Association.
Please mail all convention payments to:
Virginia FFA Association
115 Huctheson Hall
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Dropped Rooms/Seats
Bus seat(s) dropped after 09/01/19 will be charged the 1/2 bus seat price of $87 per seat and rooms dropped after that same date will be charged $205 per room dropped. Drops that occur after 10/01/19 may be charged the full bus seat price of $185 per seat and/or the full room stay cost. Please email gseibel@vt.edu with drops.
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National FFA Convention Registration
In order to attend National FFA Convention’s sessions, career show, workshops, concerts and other activities you must register with National FFA. In order to receive a lower registration cost you must register through the state association’s room block, we must have the names of your students to provide to National FFA in order to receive this rate. In order to avoid delay in registration room reservations along with students names should be submitted to the state FFA office as soon as possible.
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Career & Leadership Development Events
Early August: Orientation packets will be posted online.
Please place close attention to the superintendent letters for the CDEs/LDEs that are posted online with orientation packets. Several of the events have had changes and may require students to bring materials like laptops and Wi-Fi capable devices.
Aug. 15: Special Needs Accommodation Form due, this includes dietary restrictions or needs (when applicable)
Sept. 1: Online uploads due – the deadline this year is by 5 p.m. EDT. These uploads include:
- Agricultural communications portfolios.
- Marketing plan portfolios.
- Agricultural issues portfolios.
- Prepared public speaking manuscripts.
- Employment skills (job interview) cover letter and resumes.
Sept. 1: Certification due through FFA.org (advisors) – the deadline this year is by 5 p.m. EDT. (See directions here.)
Sept. 1: Dual participation notification due (see orientation packet for details).
Sept. 15: Online waivers due- completed through the declaration/certification on ffa.org (See directions here.)
For questions contact cde@FFA.org.
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