Dream teams for tourism industry
Youth sports events reap millions for Indianapolis and its neighbors.
Tourism & Hospitality
Articles
Heartland Film Festival leader Sparks stepping down
Jeffrey L. Sparks, who has led the Heartland Film Festival since he founded the internationally known movie event more than two decades ago, is bowing out of his leadership role, he confirmed Tuesday morning.
Conner Prairie rolling out adults-only programming
The inaugural Prairie Plates event Sept. 20 represents a big step in the Hamilton County living history museum’s increasing effort to target grown-ups—a trend happening around the country as once-staid institutions look to expand audiences and increase revenue.
Milder summer weather boosts state park revenue
Revenue jumped to $12.3 million during the park system’s summer season as cooler temperatures enticed visitors. A price increase this year for annual passes helped line the parks’ purse.
UPDATE: Stagehands union, state settle Indiana fair fines
A stagehands union fined $11,500 by a state agency following the deadly Indiana State Fair stage rigging collapse has reached a settlement with the state absolving it of those penalties.
Pan Am Plaza hotel may sweeten bowl bid
Indianapolis officials hope to include plans for a new downtown luxury hotel in their bid for the 2018 Super Bowl, but they’re not sure all the pieces for a deal—potentially on Pan Am Plaza—can be put together before a bid presentation for 32 NFL owners in May.
Herd of nominees up for $250K animal conservation prize
Thirty-nine protectors of pronghorn antelope, sea turtles, jaguars, ibis, puffin and other endangered species have been named as nominees for the Indianapolis Prize.
Good weather helps Indiana State Fair set crowd mark
Fair officials announced Monday that the crowds for the 17-day fair totaled about 4,000 more than the previous record in 2009.
Indianapolis back on MotoGP schedule in 2014
Both sides could have opted out of the final year of a contract that expires after next season. But Speedway officials said the two sides reached an agreement to run a seventh race in Indy in 2014.
Well woes blamed on new Indianapolis sports park
Some Indianapolis residents living near where the World Sports Park is being built say its new irrigation system is sucking their home water wells dry.
IUPUI to show off elaborate game at Gen Con
The entire Indiana Convention Center will be the stage for the game, which uses video mapping and projectors that will create a large crystalline display showing the game results. The four-day Gen Con event begins Thursday.
Holiday World family takes dispute to Indiana appeals court
An agreement meant to keep a popular amusement park in the family has sparked a bitter dispute that has reached the Indiana Court of Appeals.
Crowd funding taps passionate fan base for fantasy figurines
A growing number of small game companies will join a pantheon of industry titans starting Aug. 15 at the Gen Con Indy gaming convention. The small guys are there largely because they can get the money they need to keep themselves alive via the fundraising technique known as “crowd funding” or “crowd sourcing.”
Indiana golf course lands Senior PGA Championship
Officials are expected to announce Tuesday that the 2015 Senior PGA Championship will be played at the Pete Dye Course at the French Lick Springs Resort.
State Fairgrounds to debut new $10M Youth Arena
The 30,000-square-foot Youth Arena will debut as the site of 4-H Horse & Pony classes and events. The fairgrounds' newest building will also host livestock shows, draft horse competitions and other events.
Construction on orangutan center halfway done
The zoo says construction is expected to be complete by December. The center is being funded by a $30 million capital campaign.
Indy tourism officials take aim at close-in target
New program is designed to lure Indiana residents to capital city with large discounts at hotels, attractions
Indy attracts more visitors than much-larger Houston
A comparison of convention and tourism cities.
Indiana tourism spending is fraction of nearby states’
As Indiana slashed its tourism budget, Michigan increased its widespread Pure Michigan ad campaign from $17 million to $27.4 million. Illinois, where budget problems have earned the state the nation’s worst credit rating—A3 by Moody’s Investors Service—spends more than twice as much as Michigan.
HENEGAR: Proposed panhandling ban appears unconstitutional
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana believes in the power of the First Amendment to give the powerless a voice. Our constitutional right to free expression allows us to confront our greatest challenges, including poverty and homelessness.