The annual state FFA convention and expo is the highlight of Florida FFA’s year.  Nearly 5,000 FFA members, advisors, administrators, alumni, parents and industry partners come together to celebrate the achievements won by the past and present generations of agriculturalists, while continuing to develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success.  Attendees will be inspired and motivated to take pride in our industry, serve our communities, and become leaders of the next generation.

While at the convention, FFA members and guests will experience motivational speakers, award presentations, exciting exhibits, challenging Career Development Events, and plenty of entertaining activities. Attendees can take a stroll through the Florida FFA Expo in search of the perfect career connection, attend a workshop to brush up on those leadership skills, or simply interact and share ideas with FFA members and advisors from across the state.

ATTENDANCE

Attendance at the State FFA Convention is open to all bona-fide FFA members, advisors, parents, sponsors, alumni members and special guests. All FFA members must be accompanied (at all times) by an appointed school district representative.  Students will not be allowed to register without their advisor.

AWARD RECOGNITION

All first place state winning Career Development Event team members and all high individuals will be recognized on stage.  One individual and one advisor from the second through fifth place teams will also be recognized on stage.  It is important for ALL award winners and finalists to report to the award line-up room 30 minutes prior to the session in which you will receive your award.

FFA members and advisors who are award winners that are recognized on stage will also be asked to visit the Convention Media Room after their award announcement or during a scheduled time.  Members will participate in interviews that will be used to create press releases, videos, feature stories and more.

PLANNING MEALS

The Caribe Royale Orlando and surrounding area offer plenty of food options.  There will be specially priced food options available in the hotel eating areas.

CONVENTION GUIDELINES

Proper behavior is imperative at the FFA Convention.  It will be the advisor’s responsibility to ensure curfew adherence and that members who attend the convention attend each session.  Careful selection of those members to attend convention is essential for a successful and meaningful event.  All FFA members who attend the convention must be properly and adequately chaperoned and dressed.

Adequately chaperoned is defined as one adult for every six students.  We will not register students without an advisor or chaperone.  We will not register students from a chapter without permission from the school and without an appointed school district representative in attendance.  Convention lodging policy permits five (5) person maximum occupancy in convention suites.  Chapters found to be in violation of this policy will be subject to additional room charges.

CONVENTION DRESS CODE

All student attendees should be in official dress.  Any FFA member going on stage must be in official dress.  The convention staff and advisors will be monitoring dress at the entrances to the convention hall.  Florida FFA reserves the right to limit convention participation for students not in proper official dress, as outlined in the Official FFA Manual.

Official Dress for an FFA member includes:

• An official FFA jacket zipped to the top.
• Black slacks and black socks/nylons or black skirt and black nylons.
• White collared blouse or white collared shirt.
• Official FFA tie or official FFA scarf.
• Black dress shoes with closed heel and toe.

Note: Official garb of recognized religions may be worn with Official Dress.

Note:  the skirt is to be at least knee-length, hemmed evenly across the bottom, with a slit no higher than two inches above the knee, excluding the kick pleat.  Black slacks may be appropriate for traveling and outdoor activities as outlined in the safety exceptions.

CURFEW

Students are expected to be in their rooms with the lights out and quiet by 11:30 p.m. each night, unless otherwise noted in the convention program. Students will need their sleep.  In addition, we ask that you check your students’ rooms periodically after curfew to insure that they are adhering to curfew policy.  Hotel security has been instructed to contact the State Advisor, Executive Secretary and convention staff with any complaints.  Chapters found to be in violation of curfew policies, and/or disrespecting other guests or hotel property will be terminated from the convention at once, at the expense of the chapter/school.  All convention policy violations will be reported to school principal and superintendent.

DELEGATE RESPONSIBILITIES

There should be two delegates from your chapter in the appropriate place whenever official business is being conducted at the convention.  This includes delegate committee meetings, district meetings, business sessions, and campaign sessions as well as the general sessions. Delegate business sessions will be announced well in advance of convention.  Advisors will be required to assign each of their delegates to one of the delegate committees during registration.

Please remember that you must have submitted a Quality Chapter Report in order to seat voting delegates at the Florida FFA Convention. The Quality Chapter Report is due May 1, as noted on the official Florida FFA Calendar.

CHANGES/CANCELLATIONS

Cancellations must be made with the hotel a minimum of 72 hours prior to arrival date.  Cancellation fees may apply.  There are no refunds on convention attendee registration.

NO BADGE, NO ENTRY

No one will be allowed into any part of convention at any time without registering. Parents attending to watch students compete in CDEs will need to register for a single day registration. Single Session Tickets will not allow you to visit the Expo or Shopping Mall.  All FFA members must have a full week student registration badge, with the exception of those students only attending to receive their State FFA Degree or being recognized as a candidate for the American FFA Degree.

HOUSING RATES AND CHAPTER RESERVATIONS

In addition to our Standard Suites, Villas with full Kitchens will also be available in the convention block.  Rates are as follows:

• Queen Suite (Two queen beds plus pullout sofa):  $160.00
• King Suite (One King bed plus pullout sofa):  $160.00
• Villa (One King room, One queen room, plus pullout sofa, and full kitchen):  $330.00

CHAPTER RESERVATIONS

For chapter reservations, FFA Advisors can reserve rooms using the online Group Reservations Page or by calling the hotel’s reservations department:

• Reserve Rooms Online Here
• Or Call (407) 238-8000

You will be required to submit a credit card that will only be used to hold your reservation and WILL NOT be charged.  You may also choose to pay with a credit card. You MUST provide a copy of the school’s tax certificate at the time of check in order to be tax-exempted. Tax-exempt status applies to any of the accommodations being paid by a check printed with a school or school district’s name on it or a school’s credit card with the school or school district’s name on it. Please advise the front desk that you are tax exempt upon check-in.

Arrivals without confirmed reservations and reservations received after the cut-off date are subject to room availability. If the number of rooms you require changes after you send in the reservation form, contact the hotel immediately. An updated housing form with updated information might be required. Hotel registration will take place separately from convention registration.

All checks should be made payable to: Caribe Royale All Suites Hotel. Hotel address and contact information are listed below.

• Caribe Royale All Suites Hotel & Convention Center
  ATTN: Reservations Department
  8101 World Center Drive, Orlando FL 32821
  Toll Free: 888-258-7501
  Fax: 407-238-8088
  Email: reservations@cariberoyale.com

Cancellations must be made with the hotel a minimum of 72 hours prior to arrival.

Tax-exempt status applies to any of the accommodations being paid by a check printed with a school or school district’s name on it. You must attach a copy of the schools tax certificate at the time of reservation and also let the front desk know that you are tax exempt upon check-in.

The online reservations form must be submitted online by the designated timeline. Arrivals without confirmed reservations and/or reservations received after the cut-off date are subject to room availability.  Hotel registration will take place separately from convention registration.

INDIVIDUAL RESERVATIONS

Individuals such as school officials, alumni members, sponsors, special guests (VIP), and exhibitors may choose to make their personal reservations by phone using a credit card. For individuals reservations, please call the Caribe Royale Reservation Agents at 407-238-8000 and request the Florida Future Farmers of America Group. Please indicate to the reservations agent you are one of the following: Alumni, Sponsor, Special Guest (VIP), or Exhibitor.

• Reserve Rooms Online

CHECK OUT

Chapter accounts will be available for viewing on Thursday evening to enable you to check your bill before you go to check-out.  This will eliminate the long check-out lines on the final day of convention.

TELEPHONE USAGE

Local phone calls made from your room at the Caribe Royale Orlando will be surcharged, even if there is no answer.  We recommend that your students make calls from the pay phones in the convention center.  In addition, ONLY advisors are authorized to have outside phone service turned on in the rooms.

ROOM CONDITIONS

The cleaning of rooms for youth sponsored events can cause additional work on the part of the hotel staff.  We would encourage you to visit with your members about keeping their rooms picked up.  Please remember proper etiquette for lodging (i.e. tips, courtesy, etc.).  In addition, each chapter will be responsible for signing a room damage waiver holding the chapter/school responsible for any room damages up to $300.00 maximum.

CURFEW

Students are expected to be in their rooms with the lights out and quiet by 11:30 p.m. each night, unless otherwise noted in the convention program. Students will need their sleep.  In addition, we ask that you check your students’ rooms periodically after curfew to insure that they are adhering to curfew policy.  Hotel security has been instructed to contact the State Advisor, Executive Secretary and convention staff with any complaints.  Chapters found to be in violation of curfew policies, and/or disrespecting other guests or hotel property will be terminated from the convention at once, at the expense of the chapter/school.  All convention policy violations will be reported to school principal and superintendent.

CHANGES/CANCELLATIONS

Cancellations must be made with the hotel a minimum of 72 hours prior to arrival.  Cancellation fees may apply.  There are no refunds on convention attendee registration.