Seahorse expert wins Indianapolis Prize for conservation
A Canadian scientist described as the “preeminent authority on seahorse ecology and conservation” has won $250 prize from the Indianapolis Zoo, organizers announced Tuesday.
Tourism & Hospitality
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IBJ Podcast: Wedding season walloped by COVID leads to postponements, tears, pizza parties
Hundreds of thousands of couples who for months have been picking preachers, flowers, venues, bridesmaid dresses, reception menus and DJ playlists now find themselves making a heart-wrenching, no-win decision.
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.
Airport could see lower-than-expected activity for up to 3 years, leader says
Mario Rodriguez, executive director of the Indianapolis Airport Authority, said activity has dropped to as low as 5% of typical operations, with the the facility serving only 14 of its 53 destinations.
Pearl Street Pizzeria, Pure Eatery sue insurer over COVID-19 claim denial
The suit, filed earlier this month, alleges that Wisconsin-based Society Insurance rushed to deny the restaurants’ claims for COVID-19-related business losses without properly investigating the claims.
Black Expo calls off in-person Summer Celebration, Circle City Classic events
Organizers say they are planning to provide some events digitally. Officials said they are particularly concerned about the disproportionate effect the coronavirus is having on African Americans.
Area businesses could take $85M blow from Grand Park closure
While the expected economic impact to the region is high, Westfield officials say they don’t expect the closure to have a game-changing impact on the city’s budget.
Downtown hotel occupancy fell 91% as health crisis escalated
The entire market saw a 68% drop in occupancy from the week of March 1-7 to the week of March 29-April 4, according to data from Tennessee-based hotel research firm STR.
CIB, Visit Indy reducing executive pay to cope with pandemic losses
The Capital Improvement Board of Marion County and Visit Indy said they are implementing several cost-cutting maneuvers ahead of expected drops in tax revenue over the next several months.
New Noblesville mayor makes push to restore Hobbs Station, 10-acre railyard
A planned $1.5 million investment in Noblesville’s historic railyard is designed to draw visitors into downtown, but it also might put the city’s rocky relationship with rail back on track.
Owner of Try It Tiny files bankruptcy, dissolves company
The Airbnb concept for tiny houses was dissolved March 23 with more than $765,000 in outstanding business debt.
Museums, performance venues expect to withstand closures
Facing millions of dollars in lost revenue from the COVID-19 outbreak, major arts and cultural attractions throughout Indianapolis are slashing budgets, cutting staff and dipping into reserves or endowments to make ends meet.
‘It’s all ruined—there’s no demand,’ hotelier says
MHG President Sanjay Patel has been through tough times in the hotel industry before—but nothing quite like this.
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.
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.
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.