Downtown Westin Hotel to kick off $14 million renovation
The four-star establishment plans to overhaul all 13 floors and 573 guest rooms, beginning in November, as its competitors trigger similar upgrades.
Tourism & Hospitality
Articles
Ritzier hotels may lure top events, but year-round demand unclear
Indianapolis lacks a five-star hotel, a fact some hospitality experts think could hurt the city’s chances of landing the 2018 Super Bowl. But there’s no consensus on whether the city should go more upscale.
Indiana opens first bark parks in state park
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources on Wednesday dedicated two dog play areas at Fort Harrison State Park in Indianapolis.
Work starting on French Lick Resort expansion
A ceremony was held Monday to mark the start of a $15.5 million expansion of the events center at the French Lick Resort in southern Indiana.
White River path nears completion after $2.7M investment
The 4-mile stretch of the Wapahani Trail will connect White River State Park to a multi-use path on Raymond Street near Eli Lilly and Co.’s 255-acre private park.
Indianapolis named finalist for 2018 Super Bowl
Indy joins Minneapolis and New Orleans as the three NFL cities invited to bid on the big game. The 2012 Super Bowl had a $176 million direct economic impact on the city, a study said.
New ice rink opens at Indiana State Fairgrounds
The $10 million Youth Arena officially opens Monday after several hundred people attended a free public skating event Saturday.
Court sides with widow in lawsuit over Holiday World shares
The state appeals court says the widow of a southern Indiana theme park president isn't required to sell shares in the facility to her late husband's brother.
‘Dynamic duo’ boosts Hamilton County tourism
In eight years with the Hamilton County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Executive Director Brenda Myers has morphed her organization into a developer, grant giver and landlord. The strategy appears to be working.
NYC retrospective reassesses Robert Indiana’s work
Artist Robert Indiana says his world-famous LOVE image overshadowed all his other work. But now the artist’s first major retrospective could change that.
Local boat, RV show changes format to widen audience
For the first time in its 26-year history, the Indianapolis Fall Boat and RV Show will include an auction open to the public. Event organizers think it will draw bidders from far and wide.
Canterbury to change name, close for 9-month renovation
The historic downtown hotel’s new owner says the $9.5 million revamp and affiliation with an international brand are needed to compete with new high-end hotels in the Indy area.
Long way to go to fill expanded Indiana Convention Center
Eighteen months after the expansion opened, indicators of success are mixed.
Crafting Indianapolis’ convention biz took guts
Ex-Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association chief Bill McGowan weighs the pay-off.
Dream teams for tourism industry
Youth sports events reap millions for Indianapolis and its neighbors.
Heartland Film Festival leader Sparks stepping down
Jeffrey L. Sparks, who has led the Heartland Film Festival since he founded the internationally known movie event more than two decades ago, is bowing out of his leadership role, he confirmed Tuesday morning.
Conner Prairie rolling out adults-only programming
The inaugural Prairie Plates event Sept. 20 represents a big step in the Hamilton County living history museum’s increasing effort to target grown-ups—a trend happening around the country as once-staid institutions look to expand audiences and increase revenue.
Milder summer weather boosts state park revenue
Revenue jumped to $12.3 million during the park system’s summer season as cooler temperatures enticed visitors. A price increase this year for annual passes helped line the parks’ purse.
UPDATE: Stagehands union, state settle Indiana fair fines
A stagehands union fined $11,500 by a state agency following the deadly Indiana State Fair stage rigging collapse has reached a settlement with the state absolving it of those penalties.
Pan Am Plaza hotel may sweeten bowl bid
Indianapolis officials hope to include plans for a new downtown luxury hotel in their bid for the 2018 Super Bowl, but they’re not sure all the pieces for a deal—potentially on Pan Am Plaza—can be put together before a bid presentation for 32 NFL owners in May.