Openings launch new era for Indianapolis tourism
The $275 million Indiana Convention Center expansion was completed in January, and the 1,005-room JW Marriott opened the following month.
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Cities roll out welcome mat, apps for Super Bowl
Central Indiana communities are launching smartphone applications, decorating cards to welcome visitors and taking other steps to promote local attractions in hopes of capitalizing on thousands of Super Bowl fans descending on the region for the Feb. 5 game.
Suburban-hotel mayhem whipsaws entrepreneur
Two of Sanjay Patel’s hotels landed in bankruptcy in November. Four others filed for Chapter 11 protection last year.
Carmel mayor’s next goal: Build posh, $32M hotel
The principal developer of Carmel’s City Center, Pedcor Cos., is working with city officials on plans for a four-star boutique hotel that likely would cost at least $32 million to build and may require an additional city subsidy.
Kiwanis chooses Indianapolis for 100th convention
The Indianapolis-based organization will hold its annual convention in the city in 2015, marking its 100th anniversary. About 10,000 members are expected to attend.
Texas investors buy northeast-side hotel
A couple from suburban Houston bought the 187-room Ramada Inn in an online auction for $1.3 million and have rebranded it as ExtendASuites.
Downtown Hyatt upgrades hotel rooms
The renovation, which will be finished in January, includes all 499 guest rooms and suites and the hotel’s corridors.
Texas firm buys water-park hotel on northwest side
General Hotels Corp. has finalized the sale of the Caribbean Cove Hotel & Water Park, averting closure of the 344-room hotel and saving 266 jobs.
Colts to keep camp in Anderson for 5 more years
The Indianapolis Colts announced Tuesday they had agreed to a five-year deal that will keep training camp at the Division III school northeast of Indianapolis through 2016.
Buyer lined up for Caribbean Cove hotel, water park
The owner of the hotel and water park said a sale should be complete on Sept. 12. If the acquisition falls through, however, it will close the property on Oct. 9, putting 206 employees out of work.
Hampton Inn to become Bud Light Hotel during Super Bowl
The Bud Light name and logo will replace Hampton's all over the hotel, from the outside signage and canopies to the in-room soap, shampoo and pens.
Gen Con convention betting on attendance surge
Organizers of the four-day gaming conference think this year’s event will draw 35,000 visitors to Indianapolis, thanks in large part to a bigger convention center.
Downtown hotels beef up tech offerings to remain competitive
The new JW Marriott is one of the factors motivating other hotels to do multi-million-dollar updates.
New Indianapolis tourism chief calls for bigger marketing budget
In an interview with Indianapolis Business Journal reporter Anthony Schoettle, Leonard Hoops, the incoming CEO of the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association, says Indianapolis warrants its own brand.
City seeks to close south-side hotel on nuisance charges
The owners of the Traveler’s Inn on Bluff Road face public nuisance charges and are accused of operating without a proper business license, according to a lawsuit filed by the city on Monday.
Local homeowners trying to cash in on Super Bowl
The approach of the 2012 Super Bowl has prompted some Indianapolis-area property owners to start looking for a chance to lease their homes and condos for the big game.
LEADING QUESTIONS: Conrad’s top chef rustles up advice
Do you need a culinary degree to be an executive chef? How do you serve hundreds at a time? What's the difference between cooking for Hoosiers and Floridians? Michelle Matiya boils it down.
ICVA expects to fall short of 2011 room-night goal
The convention association set out to book 725,000 hotel room nights this year for future meetings but so far is trending below the goal. An aggressive drive last year exhausted many of its prospects, new ICVA CEO Leonard Hoops said.
East-side Ramada fetches $1.3M in online auction
It's not yet clear who submitted the winning bid for the 188-room hotel, which is near Interstate 465 and Pendleton Pike.
City’s only hotel water park dropping Holiday Inn brand
The hotel on the northwest side of Indianapolis will become the Caribbean Cove Hotel & Water Park on June 13 after more than 30 years as a Holiday Inn.