September 21, 2009
IBJ Staff and Associated PressFort Wayne's expanded convention center and a planned downtown hotel are proving attractive to conventions, including at least
four events long held in Indianapolis.
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September 14, 2009
Scott OlsonThe financial condition of the city’s Capital Improvement Board, though improving, is still dire enough that employees
of the Indiana Convention Center could be subjected to more unpaid furloughs or layoffs.
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September 12, 2009
IBJ StaffThe idea of the not-for-profit Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association taking out a loan was not warmly received by
city officials. And financial institutions were less than thrilled with the idea given the ICVA’s diminishing revenue
and increasing costs.
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September 2, 2009
IBJ StaffThe Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association said today the National Society of Black Engineers will hold its annual
convention here in March 2013.
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August 24, 2009
Lou HarryThis week, reviews of new games found at Gen Con and a nostalgic misfire from Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre.
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August 24, 2009
Anthony SchoettleThe Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association is so desperate for more marketing funding, the organization charged
with promoting the city as a convention and tourism destination is considering taking out a loan. While that
would be the last resort, ICVA CEO Don Welsh said it is one he will have to consider if the money can’t be raised through
local taxes.
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August 3, 2009
Anthony SchoettleThe Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association is putting together an all-star corporate consortium to make the city
a hub for medical and life sciences conventions, meetings and trade shows. The ICVA began running the initiative
full-speed this year and already has signed deals to bring 40 medical meetings to Indianapolis through 2015, including annual
meetings for the American Association of Diabetes Educators in 2012 and the American College of Sports Medicine and American
Chemical Society in 2013.
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July 27, 2009
Anthony SchoettleHotel occupancy rates are way down in Indianapolis, as they are elsewhere, but local operators and national analysts think
the city is in a good position to bounce back when the economy improves.
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June 1, 2009
Scott OlsonIndianapolis already hosts three of the top 200 conventions in the country. But additional meeting space coming online late
next year could help the city double the number.
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June 1, 2009
Anthony SchoettleSome industry insiders worry that, while Indianapolis is busy chasing bigger conventions, adjoining counties may raid the
cupboard made plentiful by investments within Marion County, particularly downtown.
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June 1, 2009
In this Quick Hits look at a competing convention city, Cincinnati boasts more convention space, but Indianapolis draws
more guests.
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April 27, 2009
Anthony SchoettleStill stinging from the city's loss of the giant Performance Racing Industry trade show in 2004, a group of local motorsports
business advocates is racing to put on a competing event.
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March 30, 2009
Anthony SchoettleThe hiring of minority- and women-owned
businesses to work on the $275 million Indiana Convention Center expansion is far ahead of state requirements and has surpassed
rates that were registered for the $715 million Lucas Oil Stadium project.
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March 2, 2009
Scott OlsonRaising 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.
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February 23, 2009
Scott OlsonLocal tourism supporters are prominently featuring the Indianapolis International Airport's makeover in a branding campaign
rolled out earlier this month.
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February 23, 2009
Anthony SchoettleRadio frequency identification—better known as RFID—is making its way to trade shows and conventions, providing
a plethora of information about attendees.
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February 23, 2009
Anthony SchoettleThe 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 Boardone of ICVA's primary sources of fundsfor
a budget increase of up to 50 percent at the worst possible time.
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January 22, 2009
Andrea Muirragui DavisLackluster 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.
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December 29, 2008
Anthony SchoettleThough few knew what to think when Don Welsh announced in June 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.
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December 8, 2008
Wouldn't it be great to offer the new addition to the Convention Center as an example of green-building practices?
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November 17, 2008
The National FFA Organization and the city of Indianapolis can celebrate the record-breaking success of the 81st National
FFA Convention, thanks to the generosity and assistance of committees, funders and citizens.
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November 17, 2008
Anthony SchoettleDon 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.
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November 10, 2008
Chris KatterjohnThe development of shopping, restaurants, museums, public arts and hotels downtown in the past 25 years has made Indianapolis
a vibrant, more interesting place to liveand to visit.
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November 3, 2008
The airport authority should not assume a 3-percent growth rate because of the new airport, and the FFA Convention was not
as wildly successful as reported. Mayor Peterson shouldn't be held out as a good example of a mayor who supports public transportation.
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November 3, 2008
The FFA brought vitality and $40 million to Indianapolis' economy during its recent convention here.
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Saw the Indy Men's Chorus "Music of Gilbert & Sullivan" at the Indiana Historical Society on Sunday evening.
Temporary workers are not "tools" they are people and companies that keep large amounts of temp staff are cheating.
I miss having them around. I hope one of their stores is in the general Meridian/86th Street area. I will make good use of it.
The Fringe! Plus, the simple fact that there are so many local faves in such close proximity to each other.
I remenber, watching the toll road, being built, through South Bend, when I was 10 years old. I believe, back then that it was estimated, that the toll road, would be paid for in 20 years and then it would be free. I am now 71, what happened? Since the power is in the people, by that, I mean that, we the people are in total control of everything. I, suggest that no one ever use the toll road again, let it go broke. We the people can control the price of everything, from groceries to gas, if we would just do it. If we don't pay the asking price, the sellers will lower the price and if we wait awhile, they will lower the price to what we accept as reasonable. I would like to know why a highway like interstate 94, is so well maintained, a much better highway, than the toll road, but has no tolls. I would also like to know why, a sitting governor, with a term limit, maximum of eight years, can lease, public property, for 75 years. Even though I have transponders in both of my trucks and will not be affected by the increase, I have been and will contine to avoid using the toll road. I make many trips from northern Indiana to Chicago, every year, and I prefer the better highway, I94!