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Following a record-breaking year for tourism in 2024, central Indiana is poised for another standout year in 2025, with Visit Indy projecting more than 1.8 million attendees at marquee events and suburban destinations like Grand Park Sports Campus drawing more than 5.5 million visitors annually.
As more visitors descend on the city and its suburbs—booking hotel stays, dining out, and attending conventions, concerts and sporting events—it’s more important than ever to offer a warm welcome and ensure guests have a memorable and positive experience. Looking ahead, with plans to add more than 2,300 hotel rooms downtown, notable properties slated for Fishers and Noblesville, and new restaurants and bars opening across the region to serve both tourists and locals, having a consistent supply of well-trained and enthusiastic workers remains a key focus.
Addressing this need effectively might require overcoming the traditional silos, as organizations in the hospitality and tourism sectors often operate independently. This can limit opportunities for employee growth. True progress comes from collaborations between the industry and educators, guaranteeing a steady flow of skilled individuals for present jobs and future possibilities. By uniting our strengths, we unlock the door to greater success and deliver more cohesive guest experiences.
This mindset of interconnectedness and shared experience is also transforming how students are trained. Gone are the days of coursework confined to textbooks and lectures. Volunteering, class projects with industry partners, internships and co-ops are work-integrated learning experiences allowing students to earn credit while gaining knowledge and building transferable skills. Hands-on experiences integrated into the curriculum further prepare students to thrive in the city’s dynamic, visitor-focused environment.
In addition, understanding the various pathways individuals take to enter the hospitality sector is crucial for effective recruitment, training and retention strategies. Hospitality and tourism students often enter college at various ages and life stages, each with their unique story. For some, this journey begins immediately after high school; for others, it follows years in the workforce.
Regardless of where a student starts, providing them with the opportunity to earn credit for both prior and current learning while gaining direct industry experience is imperative. Unique internships and co-ops with industry leaders such as luxury hotel brands and homegrown restaurant groups position students for on-time graduation and long-term career success. By integrating hands-on learning across the curriculum, students continually reflect on and apply their knowledge in real time, while also earning certification that equips them with essential skills to enhance career versatility. Programs offering flexible options to combine majors—such as sports and tourism or hospitality and events—allows students to tailor their education to distinct industry interests and broaden their employment opportunities.
Degree pathway partnerships between community colleges and universities can also help strengthen the workforce pipeline. Offering flexible and coordinated pathways to a bachelor’s degree—such as guaranteeing admission and full credit transfer for students who complete associate degrees, supports diverse educational journeys and career goals.
Restaurant and lodging industries play an integral role in Indiana’s economy, employing more than 400,000 Hoosiers and generating nearly $30 billion in revenue statewide. As the tourism sector continues to expand with the convergence of multiple events across the region’s doughnut counties, growing the workforce and creating opportunities for employment and career advancement will be pivotal. Collaborative and flexible work-based learning pathways are a win-win—benefiting students, strengthening the industry and enhancing central Indiana’s reputation as a world-class destination for sports, tourism, events and hospitality.•
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Pierce is a sport management professor and chair of the Department of Tourism, Event and Sport Management at Indiana University Indianapolis. Tamm is president and CEO of Indiana Restaurant & Lodging Association.
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