UPDATE: Convention leaders prepare for business without Welsh
Don Welsh was seen as a revolutionary force as CEO of the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association. Now he may be one of its biggest competitors as he takes the top job in Chicago.
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ICVA chief leaving Indianapolis for Chicago
Don Welsh, the top executive at the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association since 2008, is leaving the city to take the job as CEO of the Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau, the ICVA announced Monday night.
Local hotel bookings fell in 2010, projected to rise in 2011
Weak economy blamed for 5-percent decline. With Indiana Convention Center expansion set to be complete this month, booking should be on the rise.
ICVA nearing hotel room-reservation target for 2010
As of mid-December, the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association had hit about 93 percent of its 2010 goal of booking 650,000 room nights for future conventions. The group is stepping up its efforts to meet the demands of the new JW Marriott hotel and convention center expansion.
CIB OKs $2.6M in carpet upgrades for convention center
Capital Improvement Board plans to spend about $2.6 million to replace 370,000 square feet of carpeting in the older portion of the Indiana Convention Center to match the carpet in the new addition.
Quick Hits: Indianapolis dwarfs Milwaukee in convention, tourism business
Indianapolis and Milwaukee are about the same size, with 1.7 million and 1.6 million people in their respective metro areas, but Indianapolis’ convention trade is better developed.
Dealer Expo returning to Indianapolis through 2016
Massive powersports trade show Dealer Expo has committed to keep its annual event in Indianapolis through at least 2016—extending its stay by five years.
Corporations champion FFA’s mission
The organization’s annual convention, which runs Wednesday through Saturday, attracted 375 exhibitors, an impressive number considering the tepid economy.
Fourth Artsgarden skywalk gets approval
Despite objections, the Metropolitan Development Commission agreed to provide $600,000 in city funds to help build an enclosed pedestrian walkway connecting the downtown PNC Center with the Indianapolis Artsgarden.
Crowne Plaza walkway to add to city’s connectivity
Officials for Crowne Plaza Hotel downtown said a $400,000 enclosed connector linking the hotel to the convention center will be done in February.
JW Marriott already sold 100,000 rooms
It doesn’t open until Feb. 4, but downtown’s JW Marriott hotel has already booked 100,000 room nights for 2011—more than any other local hotel—an achievement drawing both praise and concern from others in the hospitality industry.
Indianapolis lands large environmental trade show
The Pump & Cleaner Environmental Expo will be held in Indianapolis each year in February from 2012 to 2014. It is expected to attract more than 12,000 visitors annually and generate an estimated $24 million in spending over the three-year stretch.
City lands national law enforcement convention
Indianapolis will host the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives’ annual meeting in July 2015, expected to attract more than 1,500 visitors and generate more than $2 million in visitor spending.
CIB approves 2011 budget
Including debt obligations, the CIB’s total budget for 2011 is expected to be $104.4 million. The City-County Council is set
to receive the budget at its Sept. 20 meeting and could approve it Oct. 25.
Biden addresses thousands of vets in Indianapolis stop
Vice President Joe Biden discussed the drawdown of U.S. troops in Iraq during an address to a gathering of about 5,500
war veterans from across the country.
Thousands beat it to Indianapolis for Drum Corps competition
About 30,000 people are expected to attend the Drum Corps International World Championships over the next three days at Lucas
Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Gen Con Indy expects to draw 28,000 gaming fans
Gen Con Indy runs Thursday through Sunday at the Indiana Convention Center. It’s in its 42nd year.
Quick hits: Indianapolis and Kansas City are close match in tourism
Indianapolis and Kansas City, a metro area with feet in both Missouri and Kansas, are not only similar demographically, but
the cities' convention and tourism trades have some measures in common, like number of annual visitors.
City inks long-term deal with motorsports show
An agreement with the International Motorsports Industry Show will keep it in the city indefinitely. Attendance for the three-day
December convention is expected to top 20,000.
Ten wounded in shootings during Black Expo
The victims from three shootings Saturday night in a downtown crowded with visitors for Indiana Black Expo were reported to
be in good condition on Sunday. Eight were shot in the initial round of gunfire near Circle Centre mall.