Date: January 23, 2025
Back Up Snow Date: January 30, 2025
A detailed email for attendees was sent to advisors on 1/6/25.
Registration: Closed
Virginia FFA Base Location:
Homewood Suites by Hilton Richmond Downtown
700 East Main Street, Suite B
Richmond, VA 23219
Lodging:
2025 Virginia Group Rate: $185 (tax included)/night
Reservations Due: 1/7/25 (managed by Virginia FFA, housing will be included on the Capitol Day Registration Form)
Breakfast is provided for those staying the night.
Tentative Schedule:
Training Session 1
8:00-8:35 - Orientation, Homewood Suites Conference Room
9:00-11:20 - Visits with Delegates/Senators, Virginia General Assembly Offices
Training Session 2
9:00-9:30 - Orientation, Homewood Suites Conference Room
9:45-11:20 - Visits with Delegates/Senators, Virginia General Assembly Offices
Everyone
11:30 am - Chapter representatives report to Senate or House Chamber (State Staff and State Officers will be on hand at both chambers)
11:45 am – Boxed lunch distribution at Homewood Suites (where we were for orientation). Advisors: please pull a lunch aside for your chapter representative.
12:20 pm – State Officers/Staff will escort chapter chamber representatives to Homewood Suites or the Capitol Steps – this will depend on how long the gallery introduction takes. This update will be shared via Remind (see link below).
1:00 pm – All students in place for group photo at the Capitol Building steps.
Lunch on 1/23:
A boxed lunch will be provided for $12/person.
Parking:
Hotel parking will be an incidental charge of $25 per night to your room which you will pay upon checking out. Their garage has a height restriction of 6'6".
Cars, Mini-buses, and Vans: Can park in any garage or surface parking lot nearby. There is a parking lot located behind the Hampton Inn which would be ideal for mini-buses or 15 passenger vans. These options are pay to park and can be paid on app or at the kiosk.
Full Sized Buses: The City of Richmond does have street parking available for oversized vehicles, but a pass is required. Passes can be requested online and must be submitted at least three days prior to the visit. Signage for the bus is required and must be obtained through a designated Richmond business and must be posted 48 hours prior to the event. We advise you to try to work out smaller vehicles or have a driver who can drop you off and pick you up.
Other Information:
- Official dress is required. Please, no hats and no jeans. Please try to adhere to the standards of official dress (tie/scarf, appropriate length skirts, black socks, etc). All advisors should be in business casual/business professional. Men should wear at least a sport coat and tie. Ladies should wear at least dress slacks, a dressy blouse and a blazer (optional).
- A small notebook or pad-folio and pen would be appropriate for note-taking. Bookbags and other bulky items should be left behind.
- A snack is recommended for those need it. Lunch will be at approximately 1:15 PM.
- Tours of the capitol are available in the afternoon from 1:00-4:00 PM. Please make your own arrangements and avoid times during the tentative schedule.