Fort Wayne lures long-time conventions from Indy
Fort Wayne’s expanded convention center and a planned downtown hotel are proving attractive to conventions, including at least
four events long held in Indianapolis.
Visitor Spending
Articles
NCAA, city haggle over Final Four rental deal
A little more than six months before the 2010 NCAA men’s Final Four is set to tip off at Lucas Oil Stadium, the NCAA
has not yet finalized a rental deal for the facility. While officials for the NCAA and Local Organizing Committee,
the group charged with operating the event in Indianapolis, downplay any problems, sports business experts say it is unusual
not to have an agreement pinned down in the months leading up to the event.
Indiana casinos facing more competition from other states
Indiana’s casinos are facing increasing competition from gambling ventures in Michigan and Ohio that could pose a threat to
the $900 million in tax revenue the industry generates for the state.
City-County Council OKs hotel tax hike
The City-County Council voted 15-14 last night to approve raising the local hotel tax from 9 percent to 10 percent in a move
intended to help the cash-strapped Indianapolis Capital Improvement Board close a $47 million operating deficit.
State tourism advertising poses tough question
If Indiana is to be marketed as a region, government will be the one to do it.
CIB rescue plan counts on new hotel being big success
The Marion County Capital Improvement Board’s bailout depends on the success of Indianapolis’ new downtown JW Marriott convention hotel.
Raising already-lofty lodging levy could cause convention planners to bypass Indianapolis
Raising Indianapolis’ tax on hotel rooms — already one of the highest rates in the nation — could be the tipping
point that causes conventioneers to bypass Indianapolis, some industry experts say.
Youth, high school events may be next sports thrust
City officials are looking to add youth and high school sports to the roster of collegiate and professional events built up since the city decided a generation ago to pursue amateur sports as an image-enhancing strategy.
ICVA seeks extra $15M to market new center
The Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association says it needs more sales and marketing firepower to fill an expanded convention
center and adjacent hotels. That means asking the city’s Capital Improvement Board—one of ICVA’s primary sources of funds—for
a budget increase of up to 50 percent at the worst possible time.
Indianapolis ‘raising the game’ for tourism
Lackluster economy be darned, Indianapolis’ tourism trade gained ground in 2008. And the city’s new head cheerleader has even
higher hopes for this year and beyond.
Tourists rank Indianapolis as the second-most-popular Midwestern destination
Fueled by a $740,000 regional advertising campaign, local tourism spending went sky high even as the economy was in a free
fall.
Conference center plan for Hendricks County gets positive interest
A recent feasibility study came out in favor of creating a small conference center with an adjoining hotel near Interstate 70 and State Road 267, the Hendricks County Convention and Visitors Bureau said. The study found that planners nationwide have interest in a conference center there for two reasons: the new midfield terminal at Indianapolis […]
Is 2012 Super Bowl wisest investment?
The economic impact of a Super Bowl on the host city is subject to vigorous debate.
Aztar Casino license transfer considered
Eldorado Resorts LLC, a Nevada company, has a long-running bid to take over Casino Aztar in Evansville, and the bid now appears
to be heading for approval by state regulators.
IU study looks into future of Orange County tourism
Professors at Indiana University’s Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Studies are conducting an analysis of new tourism
attractions in Indiana’s Orange County.
ICVA embarking on new direction with new CEO Welsh
Don Welsh is quickly making a name for himself as a change agent. Though few knew what to think when Welsh announced he was
leaving Seattle to become Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association CEO, he’s shown he didn’t come here to simply
wind
down his career.
Hospitality industry needs state support
At this difficult time in the country’s economic life, state leaders should invest in tourism promotion and development.
Downtown development great for citizens, visitors
The development of shopping, restaurants, museums, public arts and hotels downtown in the past 25 years has made Indianapolis
a vibrant, more interesting place to live—and to visit.
Brown County tourism industry feuds over how to ward off a slump
Among those who stake their livelihood on tourism there is a sense that Brown County is at a crossroads. That dilemma is evident
in decisions about whether to refurbish aging hotel rooms, update restaurant decor or close shop for the off-season.
States stake their tourism claims to Lincoln
With the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth approaching, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky all are fighting for
a share of the bicentennial limelight. Each has a valid claim to the 16th president: Lincoln was born in Hodgenville, Ky.,
on April 12, 1809, moved to a southern
Indiana farm with his family at age 7, then moved to Illinois at 21.