As the National FFA kicks of its National Convention and Expo in Indianapolis this week, the organization, and Indy convention planners, have an eye to what city will host future events. The 91st edition of the FFA convention is expected to attract nearly 70,000 attendees from every state in the nation, and pack a $40 million economic impact in the region. The lucrative event is committed to Indianapolis through 2024. Chief Executive Officer Mark Poeschl says a short list of potential host cities for 2025 through 2031 has been narrowed to two, with an announcement expected in mid-December.
In an interview on this weekend’s edition of Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick, Poeschl talked about the selection process and efforts at this year’s convention to attract more young people to careers in high tech agriculture.
Poeschl says FFA began the process of identifying a location for future conventions earlier this year and officials spent the summer visiting cities to secure facilities and hotel rooms. That process is nearing a close, with Indianapolis and Atlanta as finalists. “Between Atlanta and Indianapolis, I would say second half of December we’ll be announcing where we’ll be,” said Poeschl.