Black engineers group chooses city for 2013 convention
The Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association said today the National Society of Black Engineers will hold its annual
convention here in March 2013.
Tourism & Hospitality
Articles
ICVA: Stadium’s retractable roof worth the cost
Three music events with direct visitor spending estimated at $28 million that were hosted at Lucas Oil Stadium offer proof,
city officials said, that the expense of the retractable roof and other features of the $720 million facility are paying off.
CIB OKs budget, but awaits council vote
Members of the Indianapolis Capital Improvement Board this afternoon passed a $63 million budget for 2010 that hinges on the
City-County Council’s approval of a hike in the local hotel tax.
Columbia Club hires Cincinnati native as GM
James B. “Jim” Rentschler, former general manager at the University Club of Cincinnati, has been named general
manager of The Columbia Club.
ICVA might take out loan to market city for conventions
The Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association is so desperate for more marketing funding, the organization charged
with promoting the city as a convention and tourism destination is considering taking out a loan. While that
would be the last resort, ICVA CEO Don Welsh said it is one he will have to consider if the money can’t be raised through
local taxes.
Adam’s Mark converting to Wyndham
The Adam’s Mark Hotel Indianapolis has become the Wyndham Indianapolis West Hotel.
EDITORIAL: Partisan games plague council
The City-County Council wisely averted disaster for the Capital Improvement Board Aug. 10 by voting to raise the city’s
hotel tax from 9 percent to 10 percent, but the razor-thin vote was another disappointing case of elected officials making
decisions based on partisanship rather than good judgment.
Corn dogs, elephant ears and spas … at the fair
The Indiana State Fair brings to mind images of deep fried foods and carnival rides, but fair-goers sometimes buy big ticket items—like hot tub spas.
State Fair planners expecting record crowds
Indiana State Fair organizers are anticipating this month’s longer fair will attract a record
crowd, but they are setting modest expectations.
Small town, budget hotels hold own in difficult economy
While the local hotel industry is being rocked by the current economy, budget hotels and those in the small towns surrounding
Indianapolis are actually seeing gains. Properties affected by the Indianapolis 500, Brickyard 400 and Big Ten Tournament
are among the losers.
Lawmakers cut state tourism office’s budget in half
Destinations throughout Indiana no longer can count on a state marketing campaign to help drive summer crowds. Lawmakers who
passed a budget during the special session at the end of June sliced the state’s annual contribution
to the Indiana Office of Tourism Management in half—from $4.8 million to $2.4 million.
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.
ICVA hires White Lodging vet for sales position
Hotel sales and marketing executive Michelle Travis is joining the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association
as vice president of sales.
Ambrosia to open downtown restaurant in former BadaBoomz site
The owner of the popular Broad Ripple Italian restaurant Ambrosia plans to open a location downtown on the first floor of the Hampton Inn along Maryland Street.
LOU’S VIEWS: Thrill parks offer rides of our lives
This week, three of my fellow IBJ scribes join me in picking our favorite area amusement park rides
Earle Travel Co. perseveres despite flu scare, recession
Earle Travel Co. has been weathering challenges as the recession has deepened and H1N1 influenza spiked
earlier this year. Those problems have nearly capsized many travel agencies, but co-owner Kelly Shea said Earle’s business
slumped only 8 percent last year.
Westfield moves ahead with sports facility plan
A study commission has concluded that a major development involving a new youth-sports complex would be viable for Westfield,
the city announced this morning.
Conrad Indianapolis adding wine bar, sidewalk dining
Plans are in the works for a wine bar called Tastings that would take the first-floor corner space at the Conrad Indianapolis.
The $1 million project would add an entrance to the luxury hotel at the northeast corner of Washington
and Illinois streets and include a total of 80 outdoor seats along both streets, in the shadow of the
Artsgarden.
National cycling event pulled from Velodrome
An 11th-hour deal to keep this year’s USA Cycling Masters Track National Championships at the Major Taylor Velodrome has fallen
flat, and the event has been moved to Colorado Springs.