More companies planning holiday parties, survey says
A new survey shows 83 percent of companies polled plan to host holiday parties this year, up from 68 percent a year ago.
Event Planners
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Report: Indy visitors pay high taxes for travel
Visitors pay among the highest travel taxes in the nation when they come to Indianapolis — 17 percent on hotel rates, 15 percent on rental cars and 9 percent on meals.
Event-planning vet Maribeth Smith has impressive resume
Maribeth Smith’s introduction to the world of event planning sure was a doozy—coordinating the city’s first significant Final Four in 1991. In the 20 years since, Smith has planned some of Indianapolis’ biggest soirees, highlighted this year by several events surrounding the Super Bowl, which helped cement her status as one of the city’s leading meeting planners.
City plans bid on 2018 Super Bowl
Officials are emboldened by the financial results of the city’s first time hosting the NFL championship game in February, which produced a direct economic impact of $176 million, according to a study commissioned by the Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee.
Indiana county ready for fair after grandstands fire
Temporary metal bleachers have been built along a track at the Shelby County Fairgrounds to replace the 133-year-old wooden grandstands destroyed in an arson last month.
Fire won’t stop Shelby County fair, organizers say
Organizers plan to put on a central Indiana county fair as best they can despite a weekend fire that destroyed its 133-year-old wooden grandstands.
500 Festival Mini-Marathon preps for storms, winds
Organizers of the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon have taken extra steps to keep participants and spectators safe if the weather turns dangerous on Saturday.
Overlapping downtown events give hotels a boost
The annual Fire Department Instructors Conference attracts nearly 30,000 visitors to downtown. But with Race for the Cure on Saturday, demand for hotel rooms is even stronger, particularly toward the end of the week.
CIB loss from Super Bowl in line with projections
Preliminary financials show the board that manages the city’s sports and convention facilities so far has lost nearly $350,000 due to the Super Bowl. That figure is expected to grow to $800,000.
City hopes for big splash from NCAA swimming events
NCAA swimming championships being held at the IU Natatorium this week kick off six years of collegiate swimming championships that are expected to generate millions of dollars for the local economy.
Sleeping-products event a real eye-opener
About 3,200 visitors are in the city as part of the International Sleep Products Association’s biennial event, which showcases the latest technology in mattress manufacturing.
IU success spurs Big Ten tourney ticket sales
Officials are confident attendance at the Big Ten men’s basketball tourney will top last year’s total of more than 86,000 and could surpass 90,000 for the first time since 2006.
Indiana House passes bill requiring stage inspections
All large, temporary outdoor stages like the one in last summer's deadly Indiana State Fair collapse would face temporary state inspection standards under a bill approved Monday by the Indiana House.
Fans encountering smooth departures at airport
The most congested area of Indianapolis International Airport Monday morning may have been the Lids souvenir stand at the center of the food court.
N.Y., New Orleans eyeing Indy’s Super Bowl playbook
Indianapolis, which is being noted as the cleanest and friendliest Super Bowl site, is being called a "hard act to follow" by future host cities.
Party planners hope to cash in on Super Bowl
Local companies helping with game’s festivities are using their home turf to showcase their talents in hopes it will lead to more work at future Super Bowls.
With Super Bowl, city seeks to distinguish itself
Like every host city, Indianapolis has tried to stand out with unusual features for the 10-day party it's hosting for the nation. But will any of those things become standard parts of future Super Bowl experiences?
Super Bowl matchup ‘touchdown’ for city, experts say
The game will be a sellout no matter which teams are playing. But a showdown between the New England Patriots and New York Giants is particularly intriguing from an economic impact standpoint.
Super Bowl parties are boon for fledgling downtown venue
The operators of the new Crane Bay Event Center two blocks west of Lucas Oil Stadium expect to more than recoup their $1.2 million investment in renovating the space by hosting high-profile parties before the Super Bowl, including the Rolling Stone events.
City boosts 2011 convention sales 13 percent
The Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association booked nearly 735,000 hotel room nights in 2011 for conventions and meetings.