Widow of Holiday World’s president gains park control
A judge has placed control of a southern Indiana theme park in the hands of the widow of the park's late president.
Tourism & Hospitality
Articles
Speedway agrees to major overhaul in ADA settlement
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway will make millions of dollars in updates to settle a Department of Justice investigation that found more than 360 violations of federal disability law.
Gaming commission OKs Centaur plan to buy Indiana Grand
The Indiana Gaming Commission on Thursday afternoon approved Centaur Holdings LLC's plan to buy Indiana Grand Casino and Indiana Downs in Shelbyville.
New art museum CEO shakes up management team
The new head of the Indianapolis Museum of Art has reduced the size of his executive team, including cutting a top position, as an initial step to organization-wide restructuring.
City’s tourism agency reports strong 2012
Indianapolis’ hosting of the Super Bowl last February seems to be paying off for Visit Indy, which says the exposure the city received from the game is translating into more visitor interest.
Car-rental companies say higher tax will hurt locals, too
Indianapolis is poised to raise its tax on car rentals, drawing the ire of the auto-rental industry. Though local politicians routinely say such taxes hurt only visitors, more than half of car rentals are actually local, industry figures show.
Lucas Oil might host 2016 Olympic Swimming Trials
A local group led by the Indiana Sports Corp. is bidding to bring the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials to Indianapolis for the fifth time. But the event wouldn’t be in the 4,200-seat IUPUI Natatorium. Instead, officials want to host the 2016 trials in 63,000-seat Lucas Oil Stadium.
500 Festival chief heading to AAA Hoosier Motor Club
Kirk Hendrix, who has served as president and CEO of the 500 Festival since 2003, is stepping down to take the same positions at AAA Hoosier Motor Club, the club announced Wednesday.
Churchill Downs targets Indy market with Derby trips
In May, Churchill Downs will roll out its Derby Experiences travel package in the Indianapolis and Chicago markets—using luxury buses to shuttle horse racing fans to and from May's Kentucky Derby for the first time.
Indiana State Fair disaster victims getting more relief
The attorney general's office is sending out checks for a total of $6 million to 59 victims of 2011's deadly Indiana State Fair stage collapse.
Workers settle employment lawsuit against local hotels
Sixteen current and former Indianapolis hotel workers have settled their union-backed lawsuit that alleged employment violations by nine area hotels and Atlanta-based Hospitality Staffing Solutions, a subcontractor that employs many hotel workers.
Potential of higher car rental taxes drawing fire
People who come to Indianapolis for business, ball games or other reasons could pay more for their visits if local officials decide to raise taxes on car rentals and professional sports tickets early next year.
CIB to consider 1-year extension with Pacers, source says
The Capital Improvement Board of Marion County is expected to seek a one-year extension of its current lease deal with Pacers Sports & Entertainment, according to a former board member and current Indianapolis city-county councilor.
Face-lift nearly complete at Eagle Creek golf courses
Eagle Creek Golf Club received a long-awaited face-lift this year under a contract that will rescue the city from most of its expenses stemming from the previous operator’s loan default.
Tourism generated $4B for city last year, study says
A study released Thursday says the tourism industry in Indianapolis had an economic impact of nearly $4 billion in 2011, a 10-percent increase from the previous year.
Two longtime execs gone from Indianapolis Downtown Inc.
Terry Sweeney, vice president of real estate development, and Julia Watson, vice president of marketing and communications, are no longer with the organization charged with promoting, managing and developing downtown Indianapolis.
Big Ten football title game crowd disappoints organizers
Organizers of the Big Ten football championship played in Indianapolis say they’ll consider making changes for next year’s game in an attempt to boost attendance.
More companies planning holiday parties, survey says
A new survey shows 83 percent of companies polled plan to host holiday parties this year, up from 68 percent a year ago.
Demand soft for Big Ten football title game tickets
Organizers of the Big Ten Conference football championship game are facing third-and-long in their quest to fill Lucas Oil Stadium for Saturday night’s matchup. A glut of tickets remains available on the secondary market.
Bloomington approves $27 million downtown hotel project
The Bloomington City Council has approved giving up some city property for construction of a $27 million Hyatt Hotel near the downtown courthouse square.