2020 finally ending, but New Year’s revelries muted by virus
This New Year’s Eve is being celebrated like no other, with pandemic restrictions limiting crowds and many people bidding farewell to a year they’d prefer to forget.
Events
-
Undaunted by COVID, city tourism pros pack events into early 2021
Officials are hopeful new virus cases won’t ruin plans to host two dozen events in the first quarter of 2021—including efforts to bring the full NCAA men’s basketball tournament here.
Read More -
City bicentennial celebrations ramp up despite pandemic
The city of Indianapolis is turning 200 and, although the pandemic has altered some plans, celebrations are underway and residents have plenty of opportunities to engage.
Read More -
Indiana Convention Center still hosting some events despite pandemic
The pandemic hasn’t stopped all hospitality business in Indianapolis. Nearly 40,000 people have visited downtown since the beginning of July for events at the Indiana Convention Center or at major hotels.
Read More -
Pavilion at Pan Am owners eye new venue to replace soon-to-be-razed building
The operators of the Pavilion at Pan Am Plaza event center are considering building a $15 million venue in downtown Indianapolis to replace the one Kite Realty Group plans to turn into rubble as part of its massive redevelopment of the plaza.
Read More
Articles
Economist: Indiana might benefit as pandemic pushes people to flee big cities
Jeff Korzenik, chief investment strategist at Fifth Third Bank, said Thursday that homeowners and businesses have become more interested in locating in suburbs and mid-sized cities—a trend that could benefit the Indianapolis area.
Carmel cancels Christkindlmarkt, ice skating due to coronavirus concerns
The two winter attractions drew more than 300,000 people to the northern Indianapolis suburb over a four-month period last winter, the city said.
Firms that stage trade shows retool themselves for remote events
Firms that specialize in making conferences, fundraisers and other events memorable and financially successful must pivot on a dime to stay relevant in the coronavirus era.
Summer carnival planned at Indiana State Fairgrounds called off
Organizers cited “an abundance of caution” for canceling the event, which had been scheduled to run from July 31 to Sept. 7.
ROUNDUP: JP Parker Flowers vacates Indy store, adds retail truck
The interruption in downtown convention business caused the closure. Also this week: Studio C, Tandoor & Tikka, Peppy Grill, The Fudge Kettle, 21st Amendment Wine & Spirits.
Summer carnival to occupy Indiana State Fairgrounds for five weeks
The Indiana State Fair has been called off this year, but the fairgrounds will still feature dozens of rides and vendors selling fair food this summer.
IBJ Podcast: Will the Indy 500 run with fans in the stands? IMS officials say yes.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials are putting all their energy into running the Indy 500 with fans in August, despite continuing concerns about big crowds and the coronavirus.
Proposed Carmel film and music festival could lose city backing
The Carmel City Council might force organizers of a proposed film and music festival to find funding elsewhere if they insist on holding it in May 2021.
Pandemic wreaks havoc on massive wedding industry
The onslaught of COVID-19 cases in Indiana, just as wedding season was getting underway, has forced thousands of couples to make quick and often heart-wrenching decisions about how to proceed.
Black Expo calls off in-person Summer Celebration, Circle City Classic events
Organizers say they are planning to provide some events digitally. Officials said they are particularly concerned about the disproportionate effect the coronavirus is having on African Americans.
New Indy 500 date could come just when tourism industry needs it most
The race—rescheduled for Aug. 23—is on an otherwise open weekend in the city’s summer event calendar, which could fill hotel rooms at a time they would otherwise have been empty.
NCAA had been pondering for years the unthinkable of canceling March Madness
Early this century, the NCAA enlisted the accounting firm Deloitte to conduct a risk assessment, one that looked at the seemingly preposterous notion that the NCAA men’s basketball tournament—one of the most lucrative events in sports—would be canceled.
IndyHub launches virtual meet-ups initiative in response to pandemic
IndyHub, working with Leadership Indianapolis, plans to host digital book clubs, panel discussions and virtual meet-ups, replacing their traditional event and program schedules with opportunities to convene remotely.
Coronavirus fears prompt cancellation of big Chicago trade show
The trade-only event scheduled for March 14-17 had been expected to draw 60,000 visitors and 2,200 exhibitors from 45 countries.
21 organizations from across Indiana selected for All-Star grants
The $1 million initiative was announced in October as a legacy project tied to next year’s All-Star festivities, with each group receiving up to $50,000 in funding for youth-serving projects.
Indianapolis plans to make 2021 All-Star Weekend a tribute to basketball
Fresh off a trip to Chicago for this year’s NBA All-Star Weekend, city officials are contemplating how best to celebrate the sport when the city hosts the event next year.
Carmel sets dates for proposed film and music festival
Carmel’s proposed film and music festival didn’t receive as much funding as organizers hoped for, but dates are set and a not-for-profit has been formed to run it.
Indianapolis to host international business conference
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.
Thousands of teachers gather for Red for Ed rally at Indiana Statehouse
Teachers say they are rallying for better working conditions, higher pay, increased funding for public school classrooms, less emphasis on standardized testing and more respect.