2015 Washington Leadership Conference
Student Program Information
Omni Shoreham
2500 Calvert St.
Washington, D.C. 20008
(202) 234-0700
We are excited that you are attending the Washington Leadership Conference. A full week is planned for you in
our nation’s capitol. WLC is designed to combine personal growth and leadership develo pment with an array of
sightseeing events. Enclosed is important information to help you prepare for your WLC experience.
Registration Information
On-site Conference Registration
On-site Conference registration takes place on Tuesday from 1:00-5:30 p.m. Be sure to check in at the FFA conference
registration table on the first floor in the Pre-Function Blue Room near the Parkview entrance, not at the hotel
front desk. If you arrive later than 5:30 p.m., please join us in the conference room in the Blue Room on the first floor
for the activities taking place. The conference starts with a dinner served at 5:45 p.m. There is a late registration
around 10:30p.m. Tuesday night. Your hotel accommodations include Saturday night’s lodging.
IMPORTANT: Student Information Packet
Bring all completed forms (Student Medical Information, Consent to Medical Attention, Personal Conduct Agreement,
and the Monsanto Release Form) included in the Student Information Packet with you to the conference. Do NOT mail
them to the National FFA Center. It is imperative to bring these forms with you. You are not eligible to participate
unless these forms are completed in full, signed, and submitted to the conference staff on the day you arrive. If these
forms are misplaced, replacements can be downloaded from www.ffa.org .
Early Arrivals
If you plan to arrive prior to Tuesday, you will need to contact the hotel reservation hotline directly at 202-2340700 at least 7 seven days prior to the date you plan to arrive. Please note that the hotel may sell out of rooms,
so it is best to reserve your extra nights as soon as possible. If there are issues with getting pre and post conference
nights reserved please contact the WLC registration office at [email protected].
Registration Fee Includes
Your student registration fee includes a participant workbook, training materials, supplies, meals, tours, lodging,
in-town transportation and secondary accident insurance (covers deductible and nonpayment on primary
insurance coverage). The student fee is based on four students in each room. Extra money will be needed for
souvenirs, snacks, etc. See packing list below.
*Cancellation Policy*
 30 days prior to the first day of your conference week: 100% refund
 29-11 days prior to the first day of your conference week: 50% refund
 10 days or less prior to the first day of your conference week: NO REFUND
Student Supervision & Conference Size
WLC staff will reside in the hotel and will accompany participants during all workshops and tours throughout the week;
the conference hotel also provides nighttime security personnel. Most conference sessions have an average enrollment
of 340 students, which allows for maximum participation and personal contact with the WLC Staff.
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Travel to the Conference
Arriving by Plane & Transportatiop Options
You will need to fly into Ronald Reagan National Airport , WLC staff will be located in the baggage claim area
(follow the airport signs) should you need assistance. The staff is there to provide information, and to help you
locate ground transportation. It is not necessary for you to locate the staff if you already know how to find the
ground transportation. The information on how to find WLC staff is as follows:

A WLC staff person will be stationed at the baggage claim on the lower level from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on
Tuesday’s. The WLC Staff member will be in a blue and white polo shirt and will have a WLC sign
The hotel is approximately 8 miles from the Ronald Reagan Airport. WLC Staff will only be stationed at Ronald
Reagan Airport.
If you’re arriving into Washington, D.C. by airplane or commercial bus/train, you have a few options for getting to
your hotel; you can take a taxi, Super Shuttle, or Metro.
Taxi’s can be found by going locating ground transportation at the airport – approximate costs (one way):
 Taxi from Ronald Reagan National Airport ........... Approximately $20 - $30 …16-minute drive
 Shuttle Service: Transportation is available through Super Shuttle to the hotel. Super Shuttle is located at
Ground Transportation and must be scheduled by the attendee by calling 1-800-BLUE-VAN (1-800-2583826). The trip is approximately $12.00 for one passenger and an additional $10.00 for each additional
passenger.
 Metro: Take the Blue Line metro in the direction of Largo to Metro Center. Change to the Red Line in the
direction of Shady Grove. Take Red line to Woodley Park/Zoo Metro Station. The hotel is located one
block from metro. Once you have exited the Metro via the escalators, go to the right and down the stairs.
Go to the left and walk to Calvert Street (1 block). Cross the street and take a right. The hotel will be on
your left hand side. Cost for the metro is approximately $2.00 -$3.00 per person.
What to Pack
Student Program
Students will be asked to wear official FFA dress Wednesday night for the night tour, Thursday morning for
Capitol visits/tours, and Friday morning and afternoon for the Newseum and Advocacy Panel*. Please note that on
Wednesday morning at Arlington you will wear a WLC polo that FFA will provide with your official dress
bottoms. All other times casual dress (appropriate slacks, jeans, skirts, and shorts) will be worn. No mini-skirts skirts and shorts must be finger-tip length. Sleeveless shirts or dresses must be the width of a dollar bill. Be
sure that your casual clothing is appropriate for staying in a hotel. Be prepared to walk extensively. Comfortable
shoes are required. Note: It is suggested that females only wear flat black shoes with official dress because of
the large amount of walking during the tours.
Student Packing List
Official FFA jacket
Official FFA tie/scarf
Black slacks/skirts (2-3)
White shirts/blouses (2-3)
Black socks or pantyhose (2-3 pair)
Shorts – appropriate length (1-2)
Raincoat and/or light jacket
Umbrella
Casual jeans/pants (2-4)
Casual shirts (3-4)
Casual dress slacks/skirts (1-2)
Casual shoes/sneakers (1-2 pair)
Flat, comfortable black shoes (1-2 pair)
Extra spending or taxi money (~$75)
Camera
One set of work clothes (something you don’t mind getting dirty)
Appropriate work shoes (sandals are not recommended)
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Congressional Visits
Making an Appointment
Each week students will have the opportunity to visit with their Senator or Representative. You and your chapter
should make an appointment as soon as possible with your United States Senator or Representative by first phoning
the appointment secretary and following up with a letter (see the sample letter on the back page). Most
legislative leaders and their staff welcome the opportunity to meet with you. This opportunity to visit
congressional leaders should be scheduled on Thursday, between the hours of 9:25 a.m.-12:15 p.m. The
telephone number for the House of Representatives and the Senate is 1-202-224-3121
If you have questions between now and the time you come to WLC, please email us at [email protected]. We are
looking forward to seeing you in Washington D.C.!
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SAMPLE LETTER TO A MEMBER OF CONGRESS
Date
The Honorable
Attention: Appointment Secretary
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
OR
The Honorable
Attention: Appointment Secretary
United States House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Senator:
Or
Dear Congressman/Congresswoman:
Each summer the National FFA Organization conducts the Washington Leadership Conference in our nation’s
capitol. The purpose of this conference is to provide high school students with an opportunity to develop personal
leadership skills and realize their citizenship responsibilities. As (a member or office held) of the
FFA
chapter in
(city)
,
(state)
, I have been selected to participate in this leadership conference.
I would appreciate an opportunity to meet with you to share what I a.m. learning at the conference as well as learn
about your role. I am available 9:25a.m.-12:15p.m. on Thursday, (month/date) to visit your office and meet
with you if your schedule is open. I will contact your office soon to confirm this appointment. In the meantime, I
would appreciate it if your office would contact me at the address listed below or leave a message at
(phone
number) regarding this appointment.
Thank you for your consideration of this request. I a.m. looking forward to my visit to Washington D.C., and
would be honored to have the opportunity to meet with you and members of your staff.
Sincerely,
Name
Address
City, State, Zip Code
Daytime Phone Numbe
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