Over the years, the city has made a name for itself by hosting a handful of large conventions and a bevy of small and midsize
gatherings. But as companies and other organizations tighten their belts, the number of conventions
held nationwide is expected to shrink in the months ahead.
Bob Bedell worked behind the scenes for months–if not years–to make the case for expanding the Indiana Convention Center
and building a 1,000-room hotel nearby. But someone else will have to fill both venues with visitors. The 60-year-old Indianapolis
Convention & Visitors Association president has said he’ll retire at the end of June.
One of the two massive trade shows forced to leave Indianapolis because of a convention center space crunch isn’t coming back
as soon as expected. Locally based Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association is changing course three years after
agreeing to return its fall CEDIA Expo to Indianapolis for four years beginning in September 2010.
