Longtime Indiana Beach owner dies at 100
Thomas Spackman, the son of the park’s founder, added numerous rides at the tourist attraction, which became known for its commercial jingle, “There’s more than corn in Indiana.”
Tourism & Hospitality
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Local hotelier files for bankruptcy on 7 properties
Reeling from the recession, Bharat Patel hopes to protect the hotels from foreclosure. Their lender is owed as much as $120 million, according to court filings.
Indy attracts more visitors than much-larger Cleveland
A comparison of the convention and tourism businesses.
Hamilton County tourism getting sweeping update
Officials tout sophistication, Internet focus in attempt to shed folksy image.
MILLER: A mixed forecast for the travel business
The volume of travel in the United States exceeded the prior peak (2007) earlier this year and is likely headed for continued growth, although Indiana, with the exception of central Indiana, is not faring as positively.
Smoking ban opens new doors to Visit Indy
New convention prospects are talking to the city’s marketing agency after passage of the city’s expanded smoking ordinance last year.
Indianapolis Air Show grounded for good, organizers say
Amid federal budget cuts that have limited the participation of elite flying groups, the show’s executive committee has decided to call it quits.
Racing home: Fast-growing trade show returns to Indy
The upcoming Performance Racing Industry Show—in its first year back in Indianapolis since 2004—is beating expectations for exhibitors, attendees and, most important, visitor spending.
Downtown Westin Hotel to kick off $14 million renovation
The four-star establishment plans to overhaul all 13 floors and 573 guest rooms, beginning in November, as its competitors trigger similar upgrades.
Ritzier hotels may lure top events, but year-round demand unclear
Indianapolis lacks a five-star hotel, a fact some hospitality experts think could hurt the city’s chances of landing the 2018 Super Bowl. But there’s no consensus on whether the city should go more upscale.
Indiana opens first bark parks in state park
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources on Wednesday dedicated two dog play areas at Fort Harrison State Park in Indianapolis.
Work starting on French Lick Resort expansion
A ceremony was held Monday to mark the start of a $15.5 million expansion of the events center at the French Lick Resort in southern Indiana.
White River path nears completion after $2.7M investment
The 4-mile stretch of the Wapahani Trail will connect White River State Park to a multi-use path on Raymond Street near Eli Lilly and Co.’s 255-acre private park.
Indianapolis named finalist for 2018 Super Bowl
Indy joins Minneapolis and New Orleans as the three NFL cities invited to bid on the big game. The 2012 Super Bowl had a $176 million direct economic impact on the city, a study said.
New ice rink opens at Indiana State Fairgrounds
The $10 million Youth Arena officially opens Monday after several hundred people attended a free public skating event Saturday.
Court sides with widow in lawsuit over Holiday World shares
The state appeals court says the widow of a southern Indiana theme park president isn't required to sell shares in the facility to her late husband's brother.
‘Dynamic duo’ boosts Hamilton County tourism
In eight years with the Hamilton County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Executive Director Brenda Myers has morphed her organization into a developer, grant giver and landlord. The strategy appears to be working.
NYC retrospective reassesses Robert Indiana’s work
Artist Robert Indiana says his world-famous LOVE image overshadowed all his other work. But now the artist’s first major retrospective could change that.
Local boat, RV show changes format to widen audience
For the first time in its 26-year history, the Indianapolis Fall Boat and RV Show will include an auction open to the public. Event organizers think it will draw bidders from far and wide.
Canterbury to change name, close for 9-month renovation
The historic downtown hotel’s new owner says the $9.5 million revamp and affiliation with an international brand are needed to compete with new high-end hotels in the Indy area.