The National FFA Convention and Expo is officially underway in Indianapolis, Indiana, and the city has welcomed back the blue jackets with open arms. No sooner did a person step off of the plane then visitors were greeted with a large emblem on the ground at the airport.

With early numbers estimating more than 60,000 students in attendance, and official numbers not in until next week, plus advisers, chaperones, exhibitors and vendors, it all adds up quickly for the host city. National FFA Communications Director Christie Meyers said that the National FFA Convention and Expo brings an estimated economic impact of more than $32 million. To help accommodate that, many people walking to and from delegate sessions, CDE contests, workshops, and the career and college expo, the city of Indianapolis has closed down a road to traffic connecting the two venues and deemed it "FFA Way." Signs along the light posts and in business windows welcome attendees.

And if you thought that 60,000 students was a lot, that is just the students in attendance and not even close to the total number of students involved in FFA. FFA membership is up, currently at 649,355 student members, with 7,859 chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This is the 89th annual FFA Convention, and the 50th anniversary of the expo. Make sure to listen to KDHL for interviews with our area chapters as we learn about their experiences at the national convention.

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