Indy lands return of massive NRA show for 2019, 2023
The National Rifle Association’s annual convention was Indianapolis’ biggest convention last year, and local hospitality leaders expect it to be even bigger in future years.
Conventions
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Owners of popular Greek restaurant turning 1920s warehouse into event center
Taki and Jeanette Sawi of Santorini Greek Kitchen, in Fountain Square, are branching out to open a large banquet facility in a nearly century-old warehouse on the southwestern edge of downtown just across the White River and not far from Lucas Oil Stadium.
Visit Indy negotiating to keep huge auto show until 2021
Three years ago, a long-term deal to keep the PRI Show in Indianapolis would have been almost unimaginable. The event with a $45.6 million annual economic impact now could be a fixture.
Veteran Indy convention planner launches new division
One of the city’s best-known corporate meeting and convention planners, Meeting Services Unlimited Inc., is launching a division focused on smaller, high-end private parties.
CIB closes business with state over facilities
The punch list is nearly complete on Lucas Oil Stadium and the expansion of the Indiana Convention Center, six and four years after their respective openings.
New hotels to arrive in downtown Indy just as visitor traffic slows
For the past 15 years, downtown hotel developers have moved masterfully in lock-step with demand. But with Indianapolis’ convention business showing signs of slowing in 2015 and 2016—right about the time three new hotels are scheduled to open—that streak might crash to a halt.
Digital marketing convention leaving Indy for New York
Connections, the high-profile digital-marketing convention hosted in Indianapolis by ExactTarget each year since the event's founding in 2005, is moving to New York City next year, city tourism officials disclosed Thursday.
Unusual meeting spots for corporate retreats
You know the drill—find a place where a contingent from your organization can fall back and talk about something important. (Or unimportant.)
Lean years loom for Capital Improvement Board
The Capital Improvement Board is headed for lean years, but it’s not for a lack of resources. The entity that oversees downtown convention and sports venues faces payment of two big debts.
U.S. prosecutors from across nation meeting in Indy
Federal prosecutors from across the country are gathering in Indianapolis to discuss ways to reduce the number of guns in the hands of criminals, among other violent crime initiatives.
LOU’s VIEWS: Great game hunting at GenCon 2014
GenCon has left behind a trail of games acquired by more than 56,000 attendees…including me. Here are my favorites, with options to please the game aficionado without scaring off the Apples to Apples crowd.
Gaming convention sets another attendance record
Gen Con 14, which wrapped up Sunday, drew 56,614 unique visitors to the Indiana Convention Center, surpassing 2013’s previous record of 49,530.
REI Investments agrees to buy site of former GM stamping plant
The local developer plans to purchase the entire 102-acre property, which has been earmarked for a 15,000-seat outdoor concert venue and the city’s new criminal justice complex.
Political conventions fell short on return on investment
Daunting scheduling and fundraising challenges led city officials to walk away from opportunities to bid on the 2016 national conventions for both Republicans and Democrats, but the city’s latest Super Bowl setback might make the 2020 political conventions alluring.
After Super Bowl setback, Indianapolis races to lure other events
A stinging defeat for Indy’s quest to land the 2018 Super Bowl leaves a giant opening in the city’s convention schedule and brings new urgency to recruiting future sports events.
NRA seeks universal gun law at national meeting
The nation’s largest gun-rights group, which officially opens its convention of about 70,000 people Friday in Indianapolis, wants Congress to require that concealed weapons permits issued in one state be recognized everywhere, even when the local requirements differ.
UPDATE: Indy ‘unlikely’ to seek 2016 party conventions
Despite an invitation from the Democratic National Committee to bid for the party’s nominating convention, Mayor Greg Ballard says Indianapolis has too many commitments on its plate.
Firefighter convention expecting record attendance
A record-breaking 32,000 firefighters are expected at the annual event, which started Monday and runs through Saturday at the Indiana Convention Center.
Visit Indy to map city’s strategy for tourism
The $178,000 study will answer key questions about how the city can better connect its highlights, attract and please business and leisure travelers, and hook up with corporate partners.
City beat steep odds to land NRA convention
City tourism officials worked for years to bring second-largest convention ever to Indianapolis.