Convention center planning much-needed Wi-Fi upgrade in 2020
The past-its-prime Wi-Fi system at the Indiana Convention Center could get a big boost in 2020, as its owner looks to make $5.7 million in enhancements to the venue.
Tourism & Hospitality
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Local developer plans to take up Cambria flag with proposed downtown hotel
A 148-room Cambria hotel is planned for South Meridian Street, less than one year after a local developer scrapped plans for a hotel near the same location with the same brand.
Visitors flock to Indiana Dunes, now with national park bona fides
The national park designation has revealed itself in various ways—through an upsurge in logged visits, busier trails and the need to order extra custodial supplies.
Travel plans in chaos, jobs lost as global tour company collapses
About 600,000 people were traveling with the company as of Sunday, though it was unclear how many of them would be left stranded. An estimated 1 million future travelers also found their upcoming holiday bookings canceled.
New 104-room hotel planned for Old Southside neighborhood
A local investment group plans to spend $9 million to $10 million to construct the four-story hotel at 324 Wilkins St. If approved, the development would bring a new, fast-growing midscale hotel brand to Indianapolis.
Hotel chain Marriott banning little shampoo bottles by 2020
The move follows a similar announcement last month by IHG, which owns Holiday Inn, Kimpton and other brands. IHG said it will eliminate about 200 million tiny bottles each year by 2021.
Dora, Shapiro plan 6-story downtown hotel on South Meridian Street
Dora Hospitality Group is teaming with the owner of Shapiro’s Delicatessen to build the hotel at Meridian and Sycamore streets. The project will bring a new IHG hotel brand to Indianapolis.
Hotel planned for King Cole building downtown
Interior demolition appears to have already begun, and several tenants told IBJ that they have either already moved out or have been asked to vacate by the building’s owner.
Las Vegas ready to bid to host numerous big NCAA events
This is the first year that Las Vegas is eligible to bid after the governing body for college sports indefinitely suspended a ban last year that prevented events from being hosted in states that accept wagers on single games.
Indiana State Fair wraps up with slight increase in attendance
Storms and severe weather warnings held back crowds at the Indiana State Fair on closing weekend.
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.
National Urban League conference returns to Indianapolis after 25 years
The four-day event will feature numerous Democratic presidential candidates. Conference events will largely cover topics highlighted in the National Urban League’s 2019 State of Black America report, particularly voter discrimination, election interference and the U.S. Census.
Vail Resorts acquiring 17 ski areas, including Paoli Peaks in Indiana
Colorado-based Vail Resorts Inc. plans to take over 17 U.S. ski areas ranging from the Northeast to the Midwest by acquiring Peak Resorts Inc. for $264 million.
City, Kite agree to build only one hotel at a time at Pan Am Plaza
Ongoing disagreement between the city of Indianapolis and a group of downtown hotel owners has prompted city leaders to officially postpone construction of one of the two convention hotels planned for Pan Am Plaza.
One year later: An account of the fatal Missouri duck boat sinking
Court documents, as well as other reports and interviews, capture a terrifying night on Table Rock Lake that claimed 17 lives, including nine members of an Indianapolis resident’s family.
New Swine Barn at state fairgrounds could host events year-round
The $50 million project, which Gov. Eric Holcomb has suggested be funded through the state’s reserves, would demolish most of the existing structure and replace it with a new 170,000-square-foot, climate-controlled facility that will be called the Fall Creek Pavilion.
New owners of Tibbs Drive-In predict bright future
The new owners, who recently acquired the 24-acre property, say they’ve already made some improvements to the four-screen outdoor theater, which has been in operation on the west side of Indianapolis since 1967.
They’re going for it: Indy to make pitch for NFL Draft
Visit Indy has held preliminary talks with the NFL about the city’s hosting the three-day event as soon as 2024.
Q&A: Conrad chef Sven Hildebrandt brings international flair
The 47-year-old told IBJ he hopes to make the most of what he learned in Germany—where he grew up and got his start in hospitality—as well as in Dublin, Phoenix and Virginia, with hopes of adding some authentic German flair to the hotel’s specialty menus.
Wedding-venue chain founder must fork over cash amid fraud claim
An entrepreneur accused of running a Ponzi scheme to expand a network of luxury event venues was ordered to surrender a chunk of proceeds from the sale of his $2.4 million home while retirees who invested millions of dollars in a proposed facility in Carmel pursue legal claims.