Denver, Indianapolis are close match on major tourism measures
The recently expanded Indiana Convention Center gives Indianapolis more space than Denver, but Denver has more hotel rooms and a larger budget.
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City refocuses on targets, ramps up goals for tourism
Tourism honchos outline aggressive goals for 2011, including increasing hotel room nights for conventions from 650,000 to 725,000, and targeting leisure travelers from Chicago and the United Kingdom.
Bill would make Indiana schools start after Labor Day
Republican Sen. Mike Delph of Carmel said it makes sense to start school after Labor Day because families would have more summer vacation time together.
Smaller meetings key to convention center expansion
Large conventions typically get the most attention, but it’s the smaller meetings that will be critical to ensuring the expanded Indiana Convention Center is adequately occupied.
ICVA executives sharing leadership duties
Three hospitality industry executives are holding down the fort as the ICVA board searches for a new leader to replace outgoing CEO Don Welsh. Directors are on no timetable to name a replacement.
UPDATE: Convention leaders prepare for business without Welsh
Don Welsh was seen as a revolutionary force as CEO of the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association. Now he may be one of its biggest competitors as he takes the top job in Chicago.
ICVA chief leaving Indianapolis for Chicago
Don Welsh, the top executive at the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association since 2008, is leaving the city to take the job as CEO of the Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau, the ICVA announced Monday night.
Local hotel bookings fell in 2010, projected to rise in 2011
Weak economy blamed for 5-percent decline. With Indiana Convention Center expansion set to be complete this month, booking should be on the rise.
CIB OKs $2.6M in carpet upgrades for convention center
Capital Improvement Board plans to spend about $2.6 million to replace 370,000 square feet of carpeting in the older portion of the Indiana Convention Center to match the carpet in the new addition.
Quick Hits: Indianapolis dwarfs Milwaukee in convention, tourism business
Indianapolis and Milwaukee are about the same size, with 1.7 million and 1.6 million people in their respective metro areas, but Indianapolis’ convention trade is better developed.
Hendricks County launches tourism campaign
Six months into a $750,000 plan to increase Hendricks County’s profile as a tourist destination, officials say group travel has doubled and hotel occupancy is up almost 3 percentage points—before an end-of-the-year push to get travelers to “Spend the Holidays in Hendricks County.”
Crowne Plaza walkway to add to city’s connectivity
Officials for Crowne Plaza Hotel downtown said a $400,000 enclosed connector linking the hotel to the convention center will be done in February.
Indy Super Bowl organizers moving ahead with plans
Local organizers expect the 2012 Super Bowl to be played as scheduled, despite growing concerns that an NFL work stoppage could force postponement or cancellation of the game.
Gen Con Indy expects to draw 28,000 gaming fans
Gen Con Indy runs Thursday through Sunday at the Indiana Convention Center. It’s in its 42nd year.
Quick hits: Indianapolis and Kansas City are close match in tourism
Indianapolis and Kansas City, a metro area with feet in both Missouri and Kansas, are not only similar demographically, but
the cities' convention and tourism trades have some measures in common, like number of annual visitors.
City inks long-term deal with motorsports show
An agreement with the International Motorsports Industry Show will keep it in the city indefinitely. Attendance for the three-day
December convention is expected to top 20,000.
Benner leaving convention group for Horizon League
Well-known local sports columnist Bill Benner is leaving his job at the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association to
become senior associate commissioner for external affairs for the Horizon League.
Cheer competition inks three-year extension with city
Jamfest Cheer Super Nationals will be held in Indianapolis through 2015. The competition is one of the city’s largest annual
gatherings, attracting about 20,000 cheerleaders and spectators.
City visitors group launches $1.3M ad campaign
The Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association is spending $1.3 million to promote the city to eight Midwestern markets,
in
hopes of attracting more travelers.
State tourism cuts alter marketing methods
In light of a shrinking budget, the state has dropped traditional advertising campaigns to promote tourism and is embracing
social media outlets to promote Indiana's attractions.