Some industry insiders worry that, while Indianapolis is busy chasing bigger conventions, adjoining counties may raid the cupboard made plentiful by investments within Marion County, particularly downtown.
Still stinging from the city’s loss of the giant Performance Racing Industry trade show in 2004, a group of local motorsports
business advocates is racing to put on a competing event.
The Marion County Capital Improvement Board’s bailout depends on the success of Indianapolis’ new downtown JW Marriott convention hotel.
The hiring of minority- and women-owned
businesses to work on the $275 million Indiana Convention Center expansion is far ahead of state requirements and has surpassed
rates that were registered for the $715 million Lucas Oil Stadium project.
Raising Indianapolis’ tax on hotel rooms — already one of the highest rates in the nation — could be the tipping
point that causes conventioneers to bypass Indianapolis, some industry experts say.
Local tourism supporters are prominently featuring the Indianapolis International Airport’s makeover in a branding campaign rolled out earlier this month.
The Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association says it needs more sales and marketing firepower to fill an expanded convention
center and adjacent hotels. That means asking the city’s Capital Improvement Board—one of ICVA’s primary sources of funds—for
a budget increase of up to 50 percent at the worst possible time.
State lawmakers formed the Capital Improvement Board in 1965 to oversee construction of the city’s convention center.
Lackluster economy be darned, Indianapolis’ tourism trade gained ground in 2008. And the city’s new head cheerleader has even
higher hopes for this year and beyond.
Indianapolis based Emmis Communications Corp. signed a three-year deal to produce and publish the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors
Association’s
semi-annual visitors guide, convention planners guide and other tourism-related publications and materials.
Though few knew what to think when Don Welsh announced in June he was leaving Seattle to become Indianapolis Convention &
Visitors Association CEO, he’s shown he didn’t come here to simply wind down his career.
Fueled by a $740,000 regional advertising campaign, local tourism spending went sky high even as the economy was in a free
fall.
Wouldn’t it be great to offer the new addition to the Convention Center as an example of green-building practices?
The 12 Free Days of Indy Christmas promotion runs through Dec. 24 and gives patrons of several city destinations the opportunity
to enjoy them without the cost.
Don Welsh is quickly making a name for himself as a change agent. Though few knew what to think when Welsh announced he was
leaving Seattle to become Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association CEO, he’s shown he didn’t come here to simply
wind
down his career.
At this difficult time in the country’s economic life, state leaders should invest in tourism promotion and development.
The FFA brought vitality and $40 million to Indianapolis’ economy during its recent convention here.
With the 2011 Super Bowl galloping off to Dallas, pressure is building to bring in more of the marquee sports events the city’s
economy has come to rely on to keep hotels full, retail businesses humming and the national and international spotlight focused
on Indianapolis.
