New Indy 500 date could come just when tourism industry needs it most
The race—rescheduled for Aug. 23—is on an otherwise open weekend in the city’s summer event calendar, which could fill hotel rooms at a time they would otherwise have been empty.
Tourism & Hospitality
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Little League delays opening of regional HQ in Whitestown by one year
Little League International has postponed this year’s planned opening of its Central Region headquarters, citing construction delays, not the coronavirus pandemic.
Downtown Indy launches new Circle light show to express hope during pandemic
Two Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra musicians were enlisted to help produce a light and music show on Monument Circle to offer hope to the local community and countries around the world. The show airs multiple times every night from 9 p.m. until midnight, but officials are encouraging people to watch it online.
Two biggest hotels in Indianapolis suspend operations
The 1,005-room JW Marriott Indianapolis and 650-room Indianapolis Marriott Downtown closed Monday after they stopped taking reservations late Sunday.
NCAA had been pondering for years the unthinkable of canceling March Madness
Early this century, the NCAA enlisted the accounting firm Deloitte to conduct a risk assessment, one that looked at the seemingly preposterous notion that the NCAA men’s basketball tournament—one of the most lucrative events in sports—would be canceled.
Two neighboring states order bars, restaurants to close
Pickup orders and deliveries will still be permitted, but dining rooms must shut to try to slow spread of COVID-19.
Virus screenings jam US airports; ‘atrocious,’ a flyer says
The dense crowds Saturday at some of the 13 airports where travelers from Europe are being funneled—among the busiest across the country—formed even as public health officials called for “social distancing” to stem the spread of the pandemic.
500 Festival cancels events through April 11
The not-for-profit organization that plans community events around the Indianapolis 500 race said it is continuing to plan for events after April 11, including the One America Mini Marathon, scheduled for May 2.
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.
Firefighters postpone massive Indy convention due to COVID-19
The convention for firefighters and other rescue personnel was scheduled to run April 19-25. It typically has an economic impact of nearly $35 million for the city.
NCAA in tough spot amid calls to cancel tournament
The Indianapolis-based NCAA is weighing potential health risks to athletes against hundreds of millions of dollars on which the institution and dozens of athletic conferences and universities rely on for economic stability.
Hoteliers, restaurants brace for loss of revenue from NCAA, Big Ten tourney games
Combined, the events were expected to draw in upwards of $35 million in revenue for local businesses, including hotels and restaurants.
Bill to expand panhandling definition passes both chambers
The Indiana House and Senate both passed a measure Tuesday night that would make panhandling illegal within 50 feet of any ATM; entrance or exit of a bank, business or restaurant; public monument; or place where any “financial transaction” occurs.
IBJ Podcast: These downtown hotel projects appear stalled
Nineteen hotel projects have been announced for downtown. If every one of them opens, they would add 4,203 more rooms to the central district of Indianapolis. But that’s not likely.
Owner of prime downtown parking lot considering hotel development
A Peachtree official said the company bought the land for the development opportunity and is now “evaluating our options to potentially build on the lot.”
Stocks, oil prices plunge as virus closes sites around world
The world’s largest economies delivered more worrisome cues Monday as anxiety over the virus outbreak sent stock and oil prices plunging and closed sites from the Sistine Chapel to Saudi Arabian schools.
Anxiety grips companies around globe as virus spreads
Since breaking out of China, the coronavirus has had a chilling effect on companies related to manufacturing, travel and tourism, which then hampers other industries and weakens consumer confidence.
New owners rename Amish tourist site as The Barns at Nappanee
Formerly known as Amish Acres, the attraction has drawn about 150,000 visitors annually to its historical cabins, barns and other structures.
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.