Texas FFA Advisors and Stakeholders,

I hope you are ready for another great day at the 97th Annual Texas FFA Convention!

I want to share an important update regarding an incident that occurred yesterday evening. A potential threat was reported at the convention center. While the security team quickly assessed the situation and believed there was no immediate danger, they proceeded with an abundance of caution to ensure the safety of all of our guests. The Fort Worth Police Department thoroughly investigated the matter and confirmed that there was no threat and that the building remains safe and secure. The schedule for today will proceed as planned.

We also want to acknowledge the feedback we’ve received regarding this year’s security presence. With the continued growth of our convention, we made the decision to bring in a professional security team to help ensure the safety and well-being of all attendees. We understand this is a shift from the ushers you may be familiar with, and while we’ve addressed some specific concerns, we’ve also seen instances where students are not fully cooperating with security instructions. Please encourage your students to comply with instructions and be patient and respectful so that security can get them safely into and out of the building. 

Looking ahead to today’s schedule, the Fourth General Session will begin at 10:00 a.m. Those with early access may enter the arena starting at 9:00 am, and doors will open to all other attendees at 9:15 am. Exhibits will open at 9:00 am.

Thank you for being here and for playing a vital role in the success of this week. You are leaders within one of the greatest organizations in the world, dedicated to developing capable, compassionate, and future-ready leaders. If we want to continue that Legacy, it is essential that we set a positive example for students to follow.

As we finish out the week, I encourage you to focus on the good, reflect on what you can do to help make this convention safe and impactful for your students, and lead with the values we work so hard to instill. We welcome your feedback at the conclusion of the week and we are always looking to improve, but we ask that concerns be communicated professionally and through the appropriate channels.

Let’s use these final days to model the kind of leadership we want our students to grow into; thoughtful, respectful, and aligned with the values and traditions of this 97-year-old organization we all hold dear.

Let’s make it a great day!