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
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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.
Council panel advances financing proposal for Indiana Convention Center expansion
The full City-County Council is expected to vote on the proposals next month. After that, the financing will need to be approved by both the Metropolitan Development Commission and the Indianapolis Bond Bank.
Capital Improvement Board projects $41.6M budget deficit in 2021
The Capital Improvement Board of Marion County approved a $132.3 million budget for 2021 during its Friday board meeting—a reduction of 26.4% from this year’s budget.
Ratio principal Bill Browne talks Pan Am Plaza project
Ratio is architect for the $550 million project by Kite Realty Group Trust that includes a Signia Hilton, an expansion of the Indiana Convention Center and—eventually—a second, 600-room Hilton-branded hotel.
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.
City, Kite reach deal for $550M Pan Am Plaza project—with up to 2-year delay
The city will not subsidize construction of Kite’s two hotels on the site but will ask the City-County Council to authorize a $150 million bond to finance an addition to the Indiana Convention Center.
Convention Center gets back in the game by hosting basketball tournament
The Nike Tournament of Champions, a 300-team girls basketball event, is expected to bring 9,000 people to Indianapolis through Sunday, injecting an estimated $8.9 million into the local economy.
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.
Visit Indy to cut employee hours amid forced events lull
The tourism bureau’s 62 employees will see their work weeks cut to four days through at least April.
Capital Improvement Board braces for big losses from COVID-19 outbreak
The head of the Capital Improvement Board of Marion County, which owns and manages the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, on Friday acknowledged there will be an “obvious impact” from the virus.
Major downtown convention postponed due to coronavirus outbreak
A conference and trade show that was expected to draw nearly 10,000 people to Indianapolis is the first local convention to be postponed or called off due to the virus.
Local tourism, convention officials prepare for impact from coronavirus
Officials say no events have been canceled locally, but groups—including the NCAA and Visit Indy—are watching the news and weighing their options.
Indianapolis lands major convention for people who make decisions about conventions
The American Society of Association Executives expects draw more than 6,000 people to Indianapolis for its four-day conference in August 2026, putting Indianapolis under the microscope of key decision-makers for their respective associations.
Indianapolis to host international business conference
The state plans to welcome hundreds of business and economic development leaders to Indianapolis in the spring for its first-ever Indiana Global Economic Summit.
Experts say CIB is thin on liability coverage for event venues
The board carries $56 million in liability insurance for its facilities, including a $1 million general liability policy and a $55 million umbrella policy.
Wind energy conference blowing into Indianapolis in 2021
The American Wind Energy Association’s CleanPower conference and trade show will run from June 7-10, 2021, at the Indiana Convention Center. It will be the first time the event is hosted by Indianapolis.
Gen Con draws nearly 70,000 to Indianapolis, event officials say
The event, which has been hosted by the city since 2003, broke its records for exhibitors, total ticketed events, and for sales of four-day and Sunday badges.
Will debut made-in-USA expo bring big crowd?
A convention thought to be the first of its kind will take over nearly half the Indiana Convention Center for four days this fall, with a focus on promoting products manufactured in the United States.