Indianapolis wins bid to host FFA convention through 2031
The National FFA Convention & Expo says the event, which draws nearly 70,000 visitors, had an estimated economic impact of $39.8 million when it was hosted here this year.
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IBJ Podcast: Why the Indy CIB will ask the Legislature for millions of dollars
The Capital Improvement Board will seek at least $8 million from lawmakers to help fund what officials say will be a 25-year plan for improvements in the Indiana Convention Center, Bankers Life Fieldhouse and other facilities the CIB owns.
Kite seeks to minimize risk in convention-hotels project
Hospitality industry observers say this is far from an ideal time for Kite—a publicly traded real estate investment trust specializing in shopping centers—to veer outside its core business and tackle what would be a risky and colossal project that easily could cost more than $600 million.
IBJ Podcast: Detailing the Pan Am Plaza hotel-and-convention project
Guest host Lindsey Erdody (in for Mason King) talks with IBJ reporters Hayleigh Colombo and Anthony Schoettle about the public-private project, the city’s convention business and what remains unknown about the Pan Am Plaza project.
Trump briefly campaigns for two of Indiana’s congressmen at FFA convention
During his remarks at the National FFA Convention and Expo at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Saturday, President Donald Trump talked about the Pittsburgh shooting and trade deals, and brought two Indiana congressmen on stage.
Microsoft, AgriNovus Indiana put agtech center stage at FFA convention
The highly interactive and sophisticated Blue Room at this year’s National FFA Convention & Expo knocked the socks off thousands of students at the Indiana Convention Center. The initiative to highlight the advances in agricultural technology will continue year-round online.
President Trump to speak at FFA convention in Indianapolis
President Donald Trump plans to speak at Bankers Life Fieldhouse at this week’s annual FFA event, which is expected to attract about 70,000 blue-jacket-wearing attendees from across the country to downtown Indianapolis.
Indianapolis vying to continue as host of FFA convention until 2031
Indianapolis is under consideration for a seven-year contract extension that would keep FFA’s giant national convention in the city until 2031—but it’s competing for the opportunity with another city.
Citing hotel deal, Gen Con extends Indy contract
Gen Con President David Hoppe said “new hotel developments, along with Indy’s desire for technological upgrades, have made our decision to extend with Indianapolis an easy choice.”
Kite to build 2 hotels at Pan Am Plaza; city to spend $120M on attached meeting space
The Capital Improvement Board has selected a Kite Realty Group plan from among three proposals in its effort to expand the city’s convention capacity. The CIB is expected to vote Friday to move the project forward.
Downtown sees blitz of hotel projects
The Indianapolis hotel market is booming, with about 2,800 new rooms slated to come online downtown alone in the next five years.
Heading to a convention in Indy? Here are some side trips to try
Any earnest local or up-to-date guidebook can steer you toward obvious offerings for a uniquely Indy experience. But here are other options to consider.
Indiana Convention Center may be just big enough—for now
Since its first iteration opened in 1972, it’s undergone four major expansions. The last one, completed in 2011, increased its size to six city blocks and more than 566,600 square feet of exhibit space—or 745,210, if you include nearby Lucas Oil Stadium.
Gen Con wants tech upgrades at convention center to stay in Indy
Whether Seattle-based Gen Con and local officials can now reach an understanding on technology could spell the difference between Indianapolis’ hanging onto its most prized convention and potentially losing it to another city.
Gamers close to buying out tickets for Gen Con in August
Attendees at this year’s edition of the massive tabletop-gaming confab could top 60,000, with an economic impact as high as $75 million.
Indianapolis to host 2019 Young Democrats of America National Convention
A bid to host the convention by the Indiana Young Democrats topped efforts by groups from Pittsburgh, Minneapolis and Chicago.
Foreign ambassadors set to descend on Indianapolis
More than 30 foreign ambassadors—representing countries across four continents—are scheduled to be in Indianapolis to learn about Indiana’s economy and explore potential business relationships with Hoosier firms.
Study done for Visit Indy casts light on aspirations, challenges for convention sector
A study commissioned by Visit Indy says officials are counting on a new downtown mega-hotel to generate nearly half its own business without relying on conventions.
Hospitality hotbed serving airport picking up two more hotel properties
The impending arrival of the full-service Embassy Suites with convention and banquet facilities may have attracted yet another hotelier to the critical mass of operators just west of Indianapolis International Airport.
Visit Indy reports sixth straight year of rising visitor spending
The number of tourism and hospitality jobs in Indianapolis also grew—from 77,800 in 2015 to 80,600 in 2016, according to the report.