Though the National FFA Convention & Expo might look different this year, the spirit remains the same. Here are five things you should know about the virtual event to be held Oct. 27-29.
1. Registration
Registration gives participants full access to all interactive and on-demand activities. The tiered, flat-rate fee is based on total individuals participating in each chapter or group. Registration for individuals will be on an invitation basis.
“Registration gets you full access to everything,” says Mandy Hazlett, associate director of convention & events for the National FFA Organization. “There won’t be any waiting in line or rushing to get a seat in sessions. Greater access means greater opportunity.”
Registration opens at 6 p.m. EDT Sept. 22.
2. Live and on-demand broadcasts from RFD-TV
“One of the biggest advantages to the virtual environment is that we are going to reach more FFA members and supporters than we ever have before, thanks to our partnership with RFD-TV,” Hazlett says.
General sessions will come live from the RFD-TV studios in Fort Worth, Texas. Tune in on your streaming device to watch the national officer retiring addresses, American FFA Degree ceremony, new officer selections and more.
The free, live broadcasts air twice daily and are available on the Cowboy Channel, FFA.org, FFA social media pages and through a streaming service for an additional fee.
3. Six unique virtual experiences
The virtual platform offers experiences tailored to each individual, including the General Sessions, Member Experience Room, Teachers World, the FFA Blue Room, the Expo and Shopping Mall, and the Forever Blue Room for alumni and supporters.
“We wanted to make it easy for everyone to build their own experience, whether you’re watching as a class or on your own,” Hazlett says.
Student and teacher workshops are available on-demand, and access to the platform extends up to two months after the convention is over.
4. National Days of Service
“The service engagement that takes place during the National FFA Convention each year has a massive impact on FFA members and the communities they serve. We ensured service was part of the virtual convention because that’s a huge part of what FFA stands for,” Hazlett says.
The national service day opportunities can be re-created locally and are sure to be impactful. Chapters can participate in service days before, during or after the convention.
5. Career challenges
Career and Leadership Development Challenges will take the form of individual challenges for any FFA member to participate in. These challenges will be begin in October before convention and run through May 2021. More information is coming soon.
Hazlett encourages all to attend because the access is unmatched.
“Virtual allows us to reach more FFA members than we would have in-person,” she says. “We think this is going to be beyond what people are imagining. We’ve put a lot of work into making this a fun, impactful, educational experience despite not being in-person.”
As you’re prepping to sign in on your digital devices, remember: “Just because how we do things has changed, doesn’t mean why we do it has,” adds 2019-20 Central Region Vice President Mamie Hertel.
Visit convention.ffa.org for more information.
