More than 940 exhibitors have already registered for the event, which could bring upwards of 67,000 people to the Indiana Convention Center and generate an economic impact of $65.2 million. But county health officials haven’t yet approved the event.
The $300 million hotel will be the most expensive and elaborate new lodging project built in the city since the $450 million JW Marriott complex was completed in 2011. And it will compete directly with the JW.
The CIB, which operates the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, on Friday said May income fell significantly short of both previous-year and budgeted totals because of the pandemic.
The agriculture-education group cited lingering concerns over the coronavirus pandemic for scuttling the four-day event, which last year brought more than 68,000 people downtown.
Gen Con—the single-largest event the Indiana Convention Center hosts on an annual basis from an economic impact standpoint—will become an online event this year. Organizers said the social nature of the gaming event made it impossible to hold in-person.
Experts say hotels of all sizes are under tremendous stress as revenue for many falls below the levels needed for debt payments.
The local tourism industry is bracing for a “very tough” end to 2020, despite efforts to reopen the state by July 4.
Indiana Democratic Party Chairman John Zody announced Tuesday that avoiding a traditional in-person convention was “the safest way” to conduct the event.
The Capital Improvement Board of Marion County and Visit Indy said they are implementing several cost-cutting maneuvers ahead of expected drops in tax revenue over the next several months.
The tourism bureau’s 62 employees will see their work weeks cut to four days through at least April.
The head of the Capital Improvement Board of Marion County, which owns and manages the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, on Friday acknowledged there will be an “obvious impact” from the virus.
The Indiana House and Senate both passed a measure Tuesday night that would make panhandling illegal within 50 feet of any ATM; entrance or exit of a bank, business or restaurant; public monument; or place where any “financial transaction” occurs.
Officials say no events have been canceled locally, but groups—including the NCAA and Visit Indy—are watching the news and weighing their options.
The trade-only event scheduled for March 14-17 had been expected to draw 60,000 visitors and 2,200 exhibitors from 45 countries.
The American Society of Association Executives expects draw more than 6,000 people to Indianapolis for its four-day conference in August 2026, putting Indianapolis under the microscope of key decision-makers for their respective associations.
The state plans to welcome hundreds of business and economic development leaders to Indianapolis in the spring for its first-ever Indiana Global Economic Summit.
Event-only facilities are typically on the small side (at least compared to the convention center), located in or near downtown, and often reside in old industrial or warehouse structures.
XLVI Party.
This is the first year that Las Vegas is eligible to bid after the governing body for college sports indefinitely suspended a ban last year that prevented events from being hosted in states that accept wagers on single games.
The American Wind Energy Association’s CleanPower conference and trade show will run from June 7-10, 2021, at the Indiana Convention Center. It will be the first time the event is hosted by Indianapolis.
The event, which has been hosted by the city since 2003, broke its records for exhibitors, total ticketed events, and for sales of four-day and Sunday badges.
