Trial set to start over burned Brown County music hall
A trial is set to start this week for the former manager of a central Indiana concert hall on charges he set the fire that destroyed it more than four years ago.
Tourism & Hospitality
Articles
Tourism officials kept mum on NRA convention for years
Visit Indy officials finalized a deal in 2010 to bring the National Rifle Association’s annual convention here in 2014. They say the NRA asked them not to publicize the event. The group disagrees.
Harsh weather at New York’s Super Bowl could hurt Indy’s 2018 bid chances
The game Feb. 2 and the week-long run-up to it will be fresh in the minds of the 32 NFL owners when they gather for their annual meeting in Atlanta in May to hear 2018 Super Bowl bid presentations from Indianapolis, Minneapolis and New Orleans.
Proposal calls for alcohol sales during Indiana State Fair
The Indiana State Fair is only one of two state fairs that prohibit the sale of alcohol. Senate Bill 168, authored by Sen. Jean Leising, R-Oldenburg, would change that.
Concerns grow about future of Indiana Beach
Other venues owned by the company that bought the amusement park in 2008 have been sold or fallen into foreclosure.
Tourism makes up state’s sixth largest industry, study says
The industry maintains nearly 140,000 jobs and contributes $10 billion in revenue to Indiana businesses, according to a new report.
Big Ten football championship sells out, packs downtown hotels
The battle on Saturday between Ohio State and Michigan State, plus ESPN broadcasts and special events downtown, are expected to have a $15 million economic impact on Indy. That’s a vast improvement over the 2012 championship.
Westfield gearing up for big hospitality play
Westfield’s massive Grand Park Sports Campus doesn’t open until March, but city leaders already are focused on making sure the 1 million-plus visitors they expect next year want to come back.
St. Elmo to host major shrimp-cocktail eating competition
St. Elmo Steak House will welcome the world’s top competitive eaters, including Joey Chestnut, to the contest, which will be part of the Georgia Street festivities prior to the Big Ten football championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Indianapolis lands 2016 Olympic diving trials
The trials will take place at the Indiana University Natatorium at IUPUI. The facility is in need of millions of dollars in repairs, organizers say.
Indy committee advances new panhandling proposal
An Indianapolis City-County Council committee has approved a proposal that would ban panhandling and other forms of begging near bank entrances, ATMs and other specified areas.
City designs new strategy to combat panhandling
A bipartisan group of city-county councilors is considering an ordinance that would increase panhandling restrictions, including barring panhandling and street performances within 50 feet of any area where any financial transaction is made.
Longtime Indiana Beach owner dies at 100
Thomas Spackman, the son of the park’s founder, added numerous rides at the tourist attraction, which became known for its commercial jingle, “There’s more than corn in Indiana.”
Local hotelier files for bankruptcy on 7 properties
Reeling from the recession, Bharat Patel hopes to protect the hotels from foreclosure. Their lender is owed as much as $120 million, according to court filings.
Indy attracts more visitors than much-larger Cleveland
A comparison of the convention and tourism businesses.
Hamilton County tourism getting sweeping update
Officials tout sophistication, Internet focus in attempt to shed folksy image.
MILLER: A mixed forecast for the travel business
The volume of travel in the United States exceeded the prior peak (2007) earlier this year and is likely headed for continued growth, although Indiana, with the exception of central Indiana, is not faring as positively.
Smoking ban opens new doors to Visit Indy
New convention prospects are talking to the city’s marketing agency after passage of the city’s expanded smoking ordinance last year.
Indianapolis Air Show grounded for good, organizers say
Amid federal budget cuts that have limited the participation of elite flying groups, the show’s executive committee has decided to call it quits.
Racing home: Fast-growing trade show returns to Indy
The upcoming Performance Racing Industry Show—in its first year back in Indianapolis since 2004—is beating expectations for exhibitors, attendees and, most important, visitor spending.