FFA convention moving from OKC to Tulsa

TULSA, Okla. (AP) — The annual Oklahoma FFA convention is moving to Tulsa after 15 years in Oklahoma City because Oklahoma City officials could not provide a long-term guarantee to the FFA for the space needed in late April each year.

The city must keep Chesapeake Energy Arena available for potential NBA playoff games.

The Tulsa World reported that the convention will be held at the city’s Cox Business Convention Center and BOK Center from 2022-2026.

“This space availability issue for their specific needs is an unfortunate growing pain as OKC venues evolve,” Lindsay Vidrine, vice president of the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau, told The Oklahoman.

The convention has brought thousands of blue-jacketed FFA members to Oklahoma City with an estimated economic impact of $3.4 million, Vidrine said.

The convention had been held at the Cox Convention Center until 2020 when the building was leased and converted to a film and TV studio.

It was held in April at the Oklahoma City Convention Center, a venue that would be needed if the Oklahoma City Thunder qualify for the NBA playoffs, according to Sue Hollenbeck, special projects manager for Oklahoma City.

Prior to 2006, the convention was rotated among cities in the state.