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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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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2024 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:
2024 Lodging: $305/night per room (Embassy Suites), $305/night per room (Hilton)
2023 Bus Seat: $265/seat round trip - 2024 will be set in summer of 2024
*Price set by Governing Board
Reserve your rooms and seats by 9/8.
**Please be sure to bring Virginia FFA Field Trip forms with you!
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2024 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 22nd and make their way to Indianapolis picking up passengers at locations set by the state. The bus will depart back for Virginia on October 26th.
Airline
Transportation from the airport to the hotel is not provided.
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 $50 a night for parking at minimum.
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2024 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.
State Winning Teams will be given preference for the Embassy Suites and the rest of the requests will be handled as they are recieved. You must provide guest names in order to recieve rooms.
2024 Virginia Housing Block Hotels
Embassy Suites - Indianapolis Downtown - 110 W Washinton Street, Indianapolis
Hilton - Indianapolis Downtown - 120 W Market Street, Indianapolis
Room Types
Virginia has been allotted Standard Double Guest that have a pull out couch in a separate room. These rooms accommodate up to 6 guests.
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 9/8/24) 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 9/15/24. The balance will be due 10/12/24.
Convention Payment Information
Please make all convention checks payable to Virginia FFA Association.
Please mail all convention payments to:
Virginia FFA Association
115 Hutcheson Hall (0908)
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Dropped Rooms/Seats
Bus seat(s) dropped after 09/08/24 will be charged the 1/2 bus seat price of $125 per seat and rooms dropped after that same date will be charged $250 per room dropped. Drops that occur after 10/01/21 may be charged the full bus seat price of $250 per seat and/or the full room stay cost. Please email gseibel@vt.edu with drops.
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2024 Career & Leadership Development Events
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: Dual participation notification due (see orientation packet for details).
September 14 @ 6:00 PM: Early Bird Registration Open
October 5th @ 8:00 PM: General Registration Opens
For questions contact cde@FFA.org.
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