Conner Prairie attendance up slightly in 2011
Visits to the park in 2011 increased nearly 2 percent from the previous year, to 218,063, thanks in part to the opening of its $4.4 million Civil War exhibit.
Tourism & Hospitality
Articles
More downtown streets set to close before big game
Several streets will close Friday as Indianapolis gears up to host the Super Bowl on Feb. 5.
Social media to play big role in Super Bowl
A social media command center will monitor the digital fan conversation via Facebook, Twitter and other platforms, and respond to visitors who need assistance.
NFL decides to add 5,000 tickets to Super Bowl mix
NFL officials on Monday said they plan to expand Lucas Oil Stadium’s capacity to 68,000 during the Feb. 5 event in Indianapolis. Capacity for Colts games is typically 63,000.
Super Bowl matchup ‘touchdown’ for city, experts say
The game will be a sellout no matter which teams are playing. But a showdown between the New England Patriots and New York Giants is particularly intriguing from an economic impact standpoint.
Megabus adds Indianapolis service to Nashville
The Music City route begins March 14. Previously available routes travel to Chicago, Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio.
Super Bowl parties are boon for fledgling downtown venue
The operators of the new Crane Bay Event Center two blocks west of Lucas Oil Stadium expect to more than recoup their $1.2 million investment in renovating the space by hosting high-profile parties before the Super Bowl, including the Rolling Stone events.
Bill requiring Indiana stage inspections advances
All outdoor stages in Indiana would have to pass inspections before any performances under a bill approved by a state Senate committee.
Super Bowl plans set for former Nordstrom space
An after-hours nightclub and a sports apparel shop operated by Indianapolis-based Lids Sports Group will occupy much of the space, dubbed “The Huddle,” during the festivities starting on Jan. 27.
Interest expressed in reopening amusement park
The owners of an Indiana amusement park are expressing interest in operating Kentucky Kingdom, which closed more than two years ago.
Indiana lawmakers ponder more for state fair victims
State lawmakers could provide an additional $4 million to victims of last summer's stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair.
CIB expects to lose money during Super Bowl
The Capital Improvement Board, which manages Lucas Oil Stadium, is budgeting for an $810,000 loss on expenses related to the game. The city, however, expects a $200 million economic impact.
City boosts 2011 convention sales 13 percent
The Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association booked nearly 735,000 hotel room nights in 2011 for conventions and meetings.
Indiana fair concerts going to expanded coliseum
The Indiana State Fair Commission decided Thursday to permanently move its outdoor grandstand concerts indoors and authorized spending $3.8 million to help prepare their new home: The Pepsi Coliseum located nearby on the north side Indianapolis fairgrounds.
Downtown businesses make adjustments for Super Bowl weekend
Downtown businesses that are not in tourist-dependent industries are girding for Super Bowl weekend, hoping their spot in the big game’s storm shadow brings only a light dusting of logistical, scheduling and personnel hassles.
Workers sue 10 hotels, allege wage violations
The lawsuit alleges that the hotels and subcontractor Hospitality Staffing Solutions regularly failed to pay employees for all the hours they worked and forced them to work off the clock without breaks.
Outlying Super Celebration sites prepare for fans
Twenty Super Celebration sites — selected by the Indianapolis Super Bowl XLVI Host Committee with visitors in mind — include seven located outside the metro area in Anderson, Bloomington, Columbus, Lafayette-West Lafayette, Muncie, Richmond/Wayne County, and Shelbyville.
Premium prices sought for parking during Super Bowl
Fans who come to downtown Indianapolis on Super Bowl Sunday had better be prepared to pay some big prices to park during the big game.
Throng of volunteers involved in staging Super Bowl
The city’s biggest event of the year will be run almost entirely by an army of volunteers. Some 8,000 volunteers are helping to execute the preparations for the Super Bowl, which is expected to draw 150,000 visitors.
Performers set to take to streets
Indianapolis has its occasional street musician or juggler, but the Super Bowl will bring out a new breed of performer–more theatrical, more cutting-edge. Local arts supporters hope the taste will leave city officials and residents wanting street theater year-round.