Westin hotel downtown spiffing up with eight-figure renovation
The overhaul follows the hotel’s acquisition by an Atlanta-based firm for $118.3 million in August 2019.
Conventions
Articles
Watch ‘The Rebound: Indy’s bounce back,’ a mini-documentary about the pandemic and the city’s hospitality industry
IBJ reporter Mickey Shuey, who has been covering the Indianapolis hospitality industry from the start of the pandemic the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, interviewed dozens of people in an effort to piece together how the city is working to emerge from the pandemic.
Gen Con reschedules to September, plans ‘hybrid’ event
In a statement on Gen Con’s website, event organizers said they believe the calendar change is the “best approach both to meet the many challenges of the moment and to explore possibilities for the future.”
March Madness could spark new growth in Indy events, conventions
Visit Indy plans to bring in a small group of “key decision-makers” from across the United States throughout the tournament, with the goal of letting major event executives safely see Indianapolis’ capabilities.
Carl Doninger: A unique take from the Final Four hardwood
Like PopCon, the NCAA is in the business of “fun.” Fun will not be had if you are worried about yourself and the people in which you come into contact. It is just as important for the world to see that Indianapolis, and Indiana-at-large is taking this undertaking seriously.
Undaunted by COVID, city tourism pros pack events into early 2021
Officials are hopeful new virus cases won’t ruin plans to host two dozen events in the first quarter of 2021—including efforts to bring the full NCAA men’s basketball tournament here.
Here’s what meetings and conventions could look like in the near future—and beyond
Liability waivers, temperature checks, social distancing. They’re in the foreseeable future for groups that want to meet in person.
Massive snacks convention picks Indy over sweet home Chicago for 2021 expo
The Sweets & Snacks Expo is expected to attract more than 13,000 attendees and generate an economic impact of $10.2 million.
Lost convention business exceeds $535M, leading to further budget challenges
Overall, 340 groups, representing nearly 965,000 attendees, outright canceled their Indianapolis events this year because of the pandemic. The loss of business is taking a toll on the Capital Improvement Board’s revenue streams.
PRI cancels its December trade show at convention center
The trade show in a typical year brings upwards of 67,000 people to the Indiana Convention Center and generates an economic impact of $65 million. Last year’s event had 1,100 exhibitors and 3,300 booths.
Tourism experts disagree on wisdom of planned convention center expansion
Overall attendance at Indiana Convention Center events has stagnated, but annual major conventions have seen explosive growth.
Indiana Convention Center still hosting some events despite pandemic
The pandemic hasn’t stopped all hospitality business in Indianapolis. Nearly 40,000 people have visited downtown since the beginning of July for events at the Indiana Convention Center or at major hotels.
Performance Racing Industry hoping to hold December trade show
More than 940 exhibitors have already registered for the event, which could bring upwards of 67,000 people to the Indiana Convention Center and generate an economic impact of $65.2 million. But county health officials haven’t yet approved the event.
Proposed 40-story Signia at Pan Am Plaza to shake up hotel landscape
The $300 million hotel will be the most expensive and elaborate new lodging project built in the city since the $450 million JW Marriott complex was completed in 2011. And it will compete directly with the JW.
Capital Improvement Board misses May revenue mark by nearly 70%
The CIB, which operates the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, on Friday said May income fell significantly short of both previous-year and budgeted totals because of the pandemic.
FFA cancels national convention in Indy as downtown reels from tourism drought
The agriculture-education group cited lingering concerns over the coronavirus pandemic for scuttling the four-day event, which last year brought more than 68,000 people downtown.
Gen Con cancels for 2020, but extends contract with city for two more years
Gen Con—the single-largest event the Indiana Convention Center hosts on an annual basis from an economic impact standpoint—will become an online event this year. Organizers said the social nature of the gaming event made it impossible to hold in-person.
Ravaged Indy hotels in danger of delinquencies, defaults
Experts say hotels of all sizes are under tremendous stress as revenue for many falls below the levels needed for debt payments.
Conventions rush to reschedule, make most of 2020 events
The local tourism industry is bracing for a “very tough” end to 2020, despite efforts to reopen the state by July 4.
Indiana Democratic Convention to be held virtually
Indiana Democratic Party Chairman John Zody announced Tuesday that avoiding a traditional in-person convention was “the safest way” to conduct the event.