Sundays in the fall are synonymous with football, and this past weekend was no exception when the Indianapolis Colts took the field at Lucas Oil Stadium.
However, just hours after the final whistle was blown, this stadium began a transformation of its own. In a little more than 24 hours, the Colts’ home turf was converted into the main stage for the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo, an event that brings together thousands of FFA members from across the country.
A Fast-Paced Turnaround
For most fans, the excitement ends when the football game does. Behind the scenes, however, preparations for the biggest FFA event of the year are just beginning.
“It’s football season, and the Indianapolis Colts typically have home games before convention moves in,” says convention backstage manager Mike Rogalsky. “So, it’s a fast-moving period. The audiovisual crew got the green light to start moving in at midnight after the stadium was turned over to us.”
From setting up the lighting, audio equipment, the stage and everything in between, Rogalsky’s crew had to work fast to meet the approaching deadline. He says the transformation requires extensive rigging, with numerous points throughout the stadium being used to suspend lighting, speakers and large LED light displays.
The Heavy Lifting Begins
According to Ryan Adamczyk, an account executive for Event EQ, the setup process involves moving massive amounts of equipment into the stadium in a very short time.
“We’ve had about 15 semi-trucks — each 53 feet long — rolling right into the stadium floor,” Adamczyk says. “From there, we use forklifts to offload everything. In the air, we have more than 100 speaker boxes, 300 lighting fixtures and more than 33 million pixels of LED screens.”
Since all of this happens in a little more than a day, the team works around the clock to get the venue ready for the opening session.
Prioritizing Safety
With such a large-scale setup in a condensed time frame, safety is a top priority. Adamczyk says that ensuring the safety of both the crew and the FFA members who will walk across the stage is a major focus.
“We’ve brought in some of the best crew leads, specifically for this event, along with a large team of stagehands to get everything ready,” he says. “It’s a lot of manpower, but safety always comes first.”
Bringing a Vision to Life
While one team focuses on the technical side of the event, another is hard at work moving essential items like awards, script binders and props into place. Rogalsky says the true magic of convention happens when the national officers’ vision comes to life.
“The beauty of the general sessions is they reflect what the officers have spent months planning,” Rogalsky says. “From skits to speeches, this is their chance to see all their hard work come to fruition.”
An Experience Unlike Any Other
For thousands of FFA members, stepping onto the stage at Lucas Oil Stadium is an unforgettable experience. It’s the culmination of months of preparation, with an energy that rivals — and perhaps even surpasses — the excitement of a Colts game.
“I love a challenge,” Adamczyk says. “I’ve been in this industry for more than 15 years, and bringing the crew together to implement a successful show is everything for me.”
Rogalsky agrees, adding that the goal is to create a memorable experience for FFA members and alums. “It’s their moment to shine, and we want to make sure they’re truly recognized during their time on stage,” he says.
As the transformation from Colts blue to FFA national blue is complete, it’s clear that the dedication and hard work behind the scenes are what make national convention a truly unforgettable experience for everyone involved.
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