Indiana fuel and vehicles power National FFA Convention
By Countrymark - Posted on October 15th, 2008
The National FFA launched its 81st Annual Convention with the delivery of 55 Toyota courtesy vehicles and American-made CountryMark gasoline.
The cars and trucks, including 40 vehicles manufactured in Princeton, Ind., rolled off the massive Toyota transport trucks at 8 a.m. on Wed. Oct. 15. The FFA staff and students use the vehicles to move through Indianapolis and central Indiana over the course of the convention – Oct. 22 through 25.
The Toyota trucks were met by a transport truck carrying CountryMark PLUS gasoline and were immediately filled in anticipation of the convention.
"We're thrilled to be the power behind the National FFA Convention Fleet," said CountryMark Vice President of Marketing Jon Lantz. "We want convention attendees to get as much from their experience here in Indiana as possible, and that includes being able to see and experience products that are made in our state. CountryMark was honored to be named the official fuel for the convention fleet. We’re excited that national FFA leaders will be powered by fuel sourced and refined here in Indiana, and that the vehicles they’ll be driving were built in Indiana by Toyota."
The CountryMark PLUS gasoline being donated is a new formula that the company introduced on August 19. CountryMark’s PLUS gasoline has three unique features. It starts with 100% American crude oil. It's enhanced with 10% ethanol and it contains a new Top Tier detergency package, which helps gasoline engines run more efficiently.
“Top Tier was a recommendation of six auto manufacturers, including Toyota,” said Lantz. “CountryMark agreed with the value of the cleaner fuel. Today, all grades of CountryMark PLUS gasoline are built to the specifications outlined at www.toptiergas.com.”
This is CountryMark’s first year to fuel the National FFA Convention fleet.
While CountryMark and FFA members filled the Toyota vehicles, event banners for the National FFA Convention were hung downtown converting Indianapolis’ Georgia Street to FFA Way.
Andre Halvorson, Toyota Truck Field Manager for the Chicago Region said a few words to commemorate the event as the trucks were divided among the staff and officers. The FFA Convention marks one of the largest annual events to converge in Indianapolis. With more than 500,000 student members, the National FFA Organization floods the city with nearly 50,000 of their members in their distinctive blue jackets each year, and Toyota and CountryMark help to move them around town.
“The National FFA Foundation provides countless opportunities and valuable experience to the future agricultural leaders of America,” said Halvorson. “We take great pride in being part of that process.” Toyota donates the use of these 55 vehicles as part of their $1.4 million, two-year commitment to the FFA Foundation.
Caption: Toyota courtesy vehicles were filled today with CountryMark PLUS gasoline in anticipation of the 81st Annual National FFA Convention. Key leaders for the event included (left to right) Jon Lantz, CountryMark; Angela Abney, Bargersville; and Amanda Workman, Franklin (both from the Franklin FFA Chapter, Franklin, Indiana); and Andre Halvorson, Toyota.
