Convention chief Bedell to retire

Bob Bedell, president of the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association, announced today that he will step down at the end of June.

“There is no good time, but this is the right time [to leave],” Bedell said, adding that he’s accomplished his goals of growing the association to handle a promised increase in business.

“ICVA is poised for a period of unprecedented success,” he said.

Bedell worked as ICVA’s senior vice president from 1986 to 1993, then moved to St. Louis to head up its convention commission. In 2002, he returned to the ICVA’s top job.

Bedell was key in selling officials on the need for the $275-million convention center expansion that will be completed in 2010 and negotiating to bring a 1,000-room JW Marriott to downtown.