LOU’S VIEWS: Trying out the games of Gen Con
This week, reviews of new games found at Gen Con and a nostalgic misfire from Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre.
Conventions
Articles
A new centerpiece for city’s convention strategy: medical, science groups
The Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association is putting together an all-star corporate consortium to make the city
a hub for medical and life sciences conventions, meetings and trade shows. The ICVA began running the initiative
full-speed this year and already has signed deals to bring 40 medical meetings to Indianapolis through 2015, including annual
meetings for the American Association of Diabetes Educators in 2012 and the American College of Sports Medicine and American
Chemical Society in 2013.
Indianapolis hotels feel pain of national slump
Hotel occupancy rates are way down in Indianapolis, as they are elsewhere, but local operators and national analysts think
the city is in a good position to bounce back when the economy improves.
Experts doubt Indianapolis can lure huge conventions
Indianapolis already hosts three of the top 200 conventions in the country. But additional meeting space coming online late next year could help the city double the number.
Outlying counties, tired of waiting for Indianapolis convention spillover, set own strategies
Some industry insiders worry that, while Indianapolis is busy chasing bigger conventions, adjoining counties may raid the cupboard made plentiful by investments within Marion County, particularly downtown.
Indianapolis outpaces Cincinnati in many convention measures
In this Quick Hits look at a competing convention city, Cincinnati boasts more convention space, but Indianapolis draws more guests.
New motorsports trade show takes aim at departed PRI
Still stinging from the city’s loss of the giant Performance Racing Industry trade show in 2004, a group of local motorsports
business advocates is racing to put on a competing event.
Minority, women contracts rise for Convention Center project
The hiring of minority- and women-owned
businesses to work on the $275 million Indiana Convention Center expansion is far ahead of state requirements and has surpassed
rates that were registered for the $715 million Lucas Oil Stadium project.
Raising already-lofty lodging levy could cause convention planners to bypass Indianapolis
Raising Indianapolis’ tax on hotel rooms — already one of the highest rates in the nation — could be the tipping
point that causes conventioneers to bypass Indianapolis, some industry experts say.
New terminal plays big role in city marketing campaign
Local tourism supporters are prominently featuring the Indianapolis International Airport’s makeover in a branding campaign rolled out earlier this month.
Conventions going high-tech with RFID
Radio frequency identification—better known as RFID—is making its way to trade shows and conventions, providing a plethora of information about attendees.
ICVA seeks extra $15M to market new center
The Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association says it needs more sales and marketing firepower to fill an expanded convention
center and adjacent hotels. That means asking the city’s Capital Improvement Board—one of ICVA’s primary sources of funds—for
a budget increase of up to 50 percent at the worst possible time.
Indianapolis ‘raising the game’ for tourism
Lackluster economy be darned, Indianapolis’ tourism trade gained ground in 2008. And the city’s new head cheerleader has even
higher hopes for this year and beyond.
Tourism chief hired from Seattle
Though few knew what to think when Don Welsh announced in June he was leaving Seattle to become Indianapolis Convention &
Visitors Association CEO, he’s shown he didn’t come here to simply wind down his career.
Convention center, please go green
Wouldn’t it be great to offer the new addition to the Convention Center as an example of green-building practices?
FFA is grateful to sponsors, funders for successful convention
The National FFA Organization and the city of Indianapolis can celebrate the record-breaking success of the 81st National
FFA Convention, thanks to the generosity and assistance of committees, funders and citizens.
ICVA embarking on new direction with new CEO Welsh
Don Welsh is quickly making a name for himself as a change agent. Though few knew what to think when Welsh announced he was
leaving Seattle to become Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association CEO, he’s shown he didn’t come here to simply
wind
down his career.
Downtown development great for citizens, visitors
The development of shopping, restaurants, museums, public arts and hotels downtown in the past 25 years has made Indianapolis
a vibrant, more interesting place to live—and to visit.
Reader suggests IBJ journalists probe officials’ assertions
The airport authority should not assume a 3-percent growth rate because of the new airport, and the FFA Convention was not
as wildly successful as reported. Mayor Peterson shouldn’t be held out as a good example of a mayor who supports public transportation.
FFA benefits city
The FFA brought vitality and $40 million to Indianapolis’ economy during its recent convention here.