Organizing armies of volunteers
A company has started to organize logistics for trade associations and other groups that gather for conventions in Indianapolis
and want to "give back" to the city while they’re here.
Conventions
Articles
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.
More layoffs, furloughs possible for cash-strapped CIB
The 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.
ICVA unlikely to seek loan to pay for enhanced marketing
The 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.
Assessing downtown cleanliness
Indianapolis’ downtown has its strengths. But what are those smells?
Black engineers group chooses city for 2013 convention
The Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association said today the National Society of Black Engineers will hold its annual
convention here in March 2013.
ICVA might take out loan to market city for conventions
The 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.
LOU’S VIEWS: Trying out the games of Gen Con
This week, reviews of new games found at Gen Con and a nostalgic misfire from Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre.
A new centerpiece for city’s convention strategy: medical, science groups
The 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.
Indianapolis hotels feel pain of national slump
Hotel 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.
Experts doubt Indianapolis can lure huge conventions
Indianapolis 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.
Outlying counties, tired of waiting for Indianapolis convention spillover, set own strategies
Some 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.
Indianapolis outpaces Cincinnati in many convention measures
In this Quick Hits look at a competing convention city, Cincinnati boasts more convention space, but Indianapolis draws more guests.
New motorsports trade show takes aim at departed PRI
Still 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.
Minority, women contracts rise for Convention Center project
The 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.
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.
New terminal plays big role in city marketing campaign
Local tourism supporters are prominently featuring the Indianapolis International Airport’s makeover in a branding campaign rolled out earlier this month.
Conventions going high-tech with RFID
Radio frequency identification—better known as RFID—is making its way to trade shows and conventions, providing a plethora of information about attendees.
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.