Visit Indy smashes 12-year-old hotel-booking record
Fueled by exposure from the 2012 Super Bowl and a USA Today article touting the city’s convention prowess, Visit Indy booked nearly 200,000 more hotel rooms in 2014 than it did in 2013.
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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.
State adds torch relay to bicentennial celebration
Indiana will host a torch relay across the state as part of its 200th birthday celebration in 2016.
Nude photo scandal boosts local startup’s web traffic
Indianapolis-based event-planning website Snappening.com saw traffic surge this weekend, apparently from web browsers looking for nude photos.
Bid says 2 new hotels possible before 2018 Super Bowl
The city on Wednesday turned in a 900-page bid to host the 2018 Super Bowl that mentions the possibility of two new downtown hotels. Meanwhile, a Colts official said owner Jim Irsay plans to help lobby for the city’s bid at the May 19-21 NFL owners meeting.
Fairgrounds officials pushing for coliseum sponsorship
The Fairgrounds Coliseum, which reopens Thursday after a $63 million renovation, is likely to receive a new name soon, an Indiana State Fair Commission spokesman said.
500 Festival Mini Marathon might not fill field
With less than two weeks to go, the 38th 500 Festival Mini Marathon might not have a full field for the first time in 12 years.
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.
Speedway outsources concession stand operations
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday reached a multiyear deal with Illinois-based Levy Restaurants to operate concession stands and manage premium beverage operations during major events.
Proposal calls for alcohol sales during Indiana State Fair
The Indiana State Fair is only one of two state fairs that prohibit the sale of alcohol. Senate Bill 168, authored by Sen. Jean Leising, R-Oldenburg, would change that.
Indianapolis named finalist for 2018 Super Bowl
Indy joins Minneapolis and New Orleans as the three NFL cities invited to bid on the big game. The 2012 Super Bowl had a $176 million direct economic impact on the city, a study said.
‘Dynamic duo’ boosts Hamilton County tourism
In eight years with the Hamilton County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Executive Director Brenda Myers has morphed her organization into a developer, grant giver and landlord. The strategy appears to be working.
Local boat, RV show changes format to widen audience
For the first time in its 26-year history, the Indianapolis Fall Boat and RV Show will include an auction open to the public. Event organizers think it will draw bidders from far and wide.
IUPUI to show off elaborate game at Gen Con
The entire Indiana Convention Center will be the stage for the game, which uses video mapping and projectors that will create a large crystalline display showing the game results. The four-day Gen Con event begins Thursday.
Demand for hotels, tickets spike as NCAA regional looms
Downtown hoteliers are expecting a sellout this weekend, and ticket brokers are reporting a spike in ticket prices even though Indiana University is playing elsewhere.
Indianapolis loses bid to host 2016 Olympic swim trials in stadium
Indianapolis has been eliminated as a candidate to host the 2016 U.S. Olympic swimming trials at Lucas Oil Stadium. USA Swimming told local leaders that the venue would be “challenging for creating an intimate swimming setting.”
Ticket brokers, city to take lumps as IU sent east
Ticket brokers took a gut punch Sunday when NCAA officials announced that Indiana University would not be playing in the Midwest Regional of the men's basketball tournament. Local tourism officials say the economic impact could drop $1.5 million.
City’s tourism agency reports strong 2012
Indianapolis’ hosting of the Super Bowl last February seems to be paying off for Visit Indy, which says the exposure the city received from the game is translating into more visitor interest.
Tourism generated $4B for city last year, study says
A study released Thursday says the tourism industry in Indianapolis had an economic impact of nearly $4 billion in 2011, a 10-percent increase from the previous year.
Big Ten football title game crowd disappoints organizers
Organizers of the Big Ten football championship played in Indianapolis say they’ll consider making changes for next year’s game in an attempt to boost attendance.