National FFA and downtown Indianapolis are ready to grow together
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Photo: Courtesy of National FFA
A sea of blue jackets is back downtown as the 99th National FFA Convention & Expo showcases Indianapolis' major-event muscle.
Why it matters: More than 70,000 people are expected for one of Indy's largest annual conventions, an event that has helped drive downtown development while introducing future leaders to the Circle City.
Driving the news: FFA programming runs through Saturday with events at the Indiana Convention Center, Lucas Oil Stadium, Gainbridge Fieldhouse and the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
- It features four days of competitions, keynotes, workshops, a career expo and community service projects, capped by the election of FFA's new national officers on Saturday.
Flashback: FFA's first national convention drew 33 delegates from 18 states in Kansas City in 1928.
- Louisville hosted from 1999 to 2005 before Indy welcomed the convention in 2006.
- After a three-year return to Louisville from 2013 to 2015, the convention came back in 2016 and has remained in Indianapolis for every in-person gathering since.
- The organization's name changed from Future Farmers of America in 1988 to reflect careers beyond traditional farming, and the national headquarters moved from Virginia to Indianapolis in 1998.
State of play: FFA extended its Indianapolis convention agreement through 2040, adding seven years to its previous deal.
- Attendance hit a record 73,000-plus in 2025, up from the mid-50,000s in the convention's early Indy years.
- Organizers estimate a $40 million annual economic impact, with more than 100 hotels used.
Between the lines: The ongoing development of the Signia Hilton Indianapolis and the expansion of the Indiana Convention Center were critical to the decision to stay put, CEO Scott Stump tells Axios. National FFA was among the convention customers at the 2023 groundbreaking.
- When choosing between Indianapolis and Atlanta for 2025-31, FFA wanted more hotel space for its centennial years and expected growth.
- "We are fundamentally out of space," Stump says, noting preliminary projections put the 2028 centennial crowd at 75,000-85,000. The expansion gives FFA flexibility to accommodate that growth.
- "The city is growing with us," he says.
Zoom in: The convention is FFA's biggest annual showcase for agricultural careers and student leadership.
- Thousands of students are touring employers like Elanco, Corteva and Beck's to explore topics like animal health and plant genetics.
- About 3,000 members are expected to contribute nearly 24,000 service hours at 29 local nonprofits, Stump says. He calls service a way to create a "ripple effect" that students carry back to their communities.
- "This creates a space where a person that, in the future, may have the right credentials looks at Indianapolis and goes, 'Yeah, I've been there. I'm comfortable with that, and that might be my next place to call home,'" Stump says.
Pro tip: With the blue jackets spread far and wide this week, you're likely to run into a few, especially at local coffee shops.
- Stump says if you happen to, take note of what state they are from and strike up a conversation.
- "Say 'tell me about your world,' and you'll get the best stories," he says. "I guarantee it, and it'll make the line go very fast."
The bottom line: While the convention is huge for the future leaders who attend, it's just as big for the future of downtown Indianapolis.