By TIM THORNBERRY
Kentucky Correspondent

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Separating themselves from a crowd of 14 contenders, Indy and Louvul race neck-and-neck toward the finish line.
No, this isn’t a horse race in the city most recognized for its affiliation with the “Sport of Kings,” but rather a bidding race for one of the most sought-after and largest youth conferences - the National FFA Conference.
What once belonged to Louisville from 1999 to 2005 made the move to Indianapolis for a seven-year stint staring in 2006. Now the conference has narrowed the bidding down to these two cities for the rights to host from 2013-19 with the possibility of a three-year extension.
Louisville lost the conference in 2002 mainly due to a lack of hotel rooms to accommodate the more than 50,000 attendees that make their way to the annual conference. But with more hotels now in the area, and more on the way, the city feels the time is right to bring back the organization.
During the Kentucky FFA Conference, June 12-14 in Louisville, students and dignitaries ranging from Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo to Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson made their pitch to an FFA site-selection committee. After a bugler played a traditional “call to post,” the committee was treated to breakfast. They were made Kentucky Colonels, a state tradition that dates back to 1813 bestowed upon certain citizens for their special achievements and guests in the state.
“The FFA and Louisville have enjoyed a long, successful history of working together to foster leadership in young people,” Abramson said. “Getting the FFA Convention back in Louisville certainly would have a positive impact on a local economy. But it would also give us the chance to showcase our exciting, energetic city to such an exciting, energetic group of young people.”
Indianapolis wants the conference just as much. It has been billed as the biggest conference in the city’s history and Gov. Mitch Daniels made his pitch on the FFA website saying in a letter, “Just as the National FFA Organization has pride in its blue corduroy and FFA Creed, Indiana is proud of its rich traditions and history in agriculture. Indiana’s BioCrossroads initiative is just one of the ways our state is working to ensure a bright future for the agricultural and life sciences industries.”
Many in Indianapolis cite the convenience of having the conference centered in the “downtown” area; something Louisville can’t offer as conference activities are at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center which is a few miles away from the central part of the city where most of the larger hotels are located.
The conference came to Louisville from Kansas City, Mo. which hosted the event for decades before making the move.
The committee visited both Louisville and Indianapolis last week and is expected to make their announcement at this year’s event in October.