Visit Indy reports sixth straight year of rising visitor spending
The number of tourism and hospitality jobs in Indianapolis also grew—from 77,800 in 2015 to 80,600 in 2016, according to the report.
Indiana Convention Center
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City eyes another big hotel downtown
City and hospitality officials have started laying the groundwork to accommodate demand for rooms booked for conventions and other big events by Visit Indy.
Hotels, restaurants expect record payoff from 50th anniversary of Gen Con
Officials announced early this month that four-day badges are sold out for the first time in the event’s history—which dates back to 1968.
Gen Con to more than double space usage in Lucas Oil Stadium
Gen Con this year plans to use more than 750,000 square feet in the Indiana Convention Center, Lucas Oil Stadium and in the connector between the two facilities. It’s the most space ever booked for an Indianapolis convention.
Late flurry of hotel room bookings gives Visit Indy strong finish for 2016
In the last two weeks of the year, Visit Indy signed deals to bring 41 conventions to Indianapolis in the next five years. Those deals helped push the group close to a new annual record for advance bookings of hotel rooms.
Advanced bookings down for Indy hotels
The number of hotel rooms Visit Indy booked into future years took a tumble in 2016 to the lowest level since 2013. But local tourism and hotel officials aren’t overly concerned.
City inks one-year deal to keep Gen Con through 2021
The short-term extension allows the city to keep one of its largest conventions, with an estimated economic impact of $70 million, for at least another year.
Gen Con organizers seek shorter-term extension with city
After initially seeking a five-year extension that would keep the massive gaming convention in Indianapolis through 2025, Gen Con officials have changed their request.
Visit Indy chief says major convention center expansion not needed now
Visit Indy CEO Leonard Hoops told Capital Improvement Board members that standing pat is not an option when it comes to hospitality infrastructure, but a major expansion wouldn’t be needed in the near future.
New report exposes Indy convention soft spots
The annual report of the city’s Capital Improvement Board shows the number of events at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium—and the total attendance for those events—fell sharply from 2014 to 2015.
Gen Con’s expansion to Lucas Oil is test for conventions
Gen Con is the biggest and highest-profile convention to use both the stadium and convention center since the 2011 expansion—and others are watching to see how it works.
Restroom neutrality becomes hospitality sales tool
Only 1 percent of the events booked over the last year at the Indiana Convention Center asked for gender-neutral bathrooms, but hospitality experts say it’s a big and growing issue.
YouTube stars, multiple genres help boost locally created PopCon
The inaugural outing of Indy PopCon, in 2014, generated about 9,000 turnstile spins. Last year’s event had 24,000.
Growing Gen Con event to use Lucas Oil Stadium in 2016
The annual gaming convention, considered the largest of its kind, attracted 61,423 individuals for 197,695 visits in August, marking its sixth straight year of growth.
Throng of international visitors could boost spending at racing confab
The Performance Racing Industry Show has grown into one of the biggest international draws of any trade show or convention held in Indianapolis.
Expand the Indiana Convention Center again?
The Indianapolis gathering place is ready for its fifth addition, say the city’s top convention promoters.
More events, more people give Georgia Street new life
The section of Georgia Street west of the fieldhouse was conceived as a way to create an eye-catching Super Bowl pedestrian zone in 2012. The challenge since has been to find a sustainable role for the venue.
FCC: Firm pays $750K settlement for blocking Wi-Fi signals
Regulators have reached a settlement with Smart City Holdings LLC for blocking consumers' Wi-Fi signals at convention centers around the country, including in Indianapolis.
Indiana paying $71M more on Lucas Oil Stadium debt
The Indiana Finance Authority is paying about $71 million to Goldman Sachs Group Inc. to end an interest-rate swap as part of a bond sale to refinance debt for Lucas Oil Stadium. An additional $34.7 million is being paid for the Indiana Convention Center.
Tourism agency responds to religious freedom law
A message on the home page of www.visitindy.com says that all are welcome to visit the city, and a separate page highlights some of the businesses that support the lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender community.