Ready or not, here come the teen-agers.
Thousands of FFA youth to test hospitality industry.

October 16, 2006
Publication: Indianapolis Business Journal (IN)
By Cory Schouten

Indianapolis has hosted its share of large conventions and events before, but never one like this. The upcoming National FFA Convention will test the city's hospitality industry in new ways because most of the 52,000 expected visitors will be teens.

Tourism officials suggest restaurants open early and offer breakfast, pizza shops prepare for an onslaught of delivery requests, and retailers stock up on black pantyhose and other FFA wardrobe essentials.

The convention, which runs Oct. 25-28, is the largest Indianapolis has hosted, and city officials say the impact will compare to a Final Four.

Church conventions and Final Fours have attracted similar crowds, but never has the city set aside such an enormous block of hotel rooms.

"The numbers are impressive," Deputy Mayor Steve Campbell said. "We're always striving for big conventions like this, but the demographic is different than what we're used to."

About 70 percent of the teens will be from rural areas, many having never seen a major city, FFA officials said. They will stay in more than 160 hotels all over town, in many cases four to a room, and will be recognized by their signature navy blazers.

To handle the crowds, Circle Centre mall's food court will open at 7 a.m., three hours earlier than usual. Some restaurants, with permission from excise officials, will transform bar areas into breakfast buffets.

"We're hopefully going to be affected in a big way," said Dave Hornak, the general manager of Ram restaurant on South Illinois Street.

The Seattle-based chain plans to rework its upscale dining area into a brighter, kid-friendly room. Staffers will bring in TVs to show music videos at night, and offer a special menu featuring quick fare, including burgers and pizza, along with grab-and-go options.

The restaurant is accustomed to hosting convention visitors, Hornak said, but the massive FFA gathering demanded it try something new.

The key for a successful convention will be ensuring teens are safe and have plenty of options for fun, said Sotiris Avgoustis, chairman of IUPUI's Department of Tourism, Convention and Event Management.

Avgoustis said restaurants should adjust hours and prices, but not completely change course, since the convention also will attract advisers and representatives from colleges and companies.

Museums and attractions all over town are offering special rates for convention attendees. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, for example, is shaving $10 off the price of its $25 grounds tour.

"Other events tend to be isolated to the convention center," said Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association spokesman Bob Schultz. "This event is going to involve nearby attractions and restaurants around town.

" Even the downtown Hooters restaurant is getting in on the action. While restaurant managers don't expect the huge crowds they draw during firefighter conventions, they are stocking up on merchandise and planning to open for breakfast. And, yes, waitresses will wear the traditional Hooters garb.

The restaurant chain is based in Louisville, where the FFA has met the last seven years, so officials are familiar with the convention attendees, said Terry Moberly, the Indianapolis-area supervisor for Hooters.

"They love souvenirs, and they do like to eat," he said. This year's convention is FFA's first in Indianapolis under a seven-year agreement, so it presents a learning opportunity.

"This should be a great chance to find out what needs to be done, find out the mistakes and opportunities to train for next time," Avgoustis said.

But that doesn't mean the city isn't working hard to get it right the first time. More than 70 representatives of the city's hospitality industry attended a meeting this month designed to coordinate the welcome. Topics included ensuring there's enough parking and that visitors can safely move among the RCA Dome, Indiana Convention Center and Conseco Fieldhouse.

Tourism officials also offered a gentle reminder to business owners: It's FFA, not Future Farmers of America. The group shed the old name years ago as its mission of developing young leaders broadened.