City eyeing big convention year, topped by five major ones
Visit Indy said the city is tracking to have more than 550 conventions, meetings and events in 2024, with many expected to be booked closer to their respective dates.
Tourism & Hospitality
Articles
Summons for Santa Claus: The story behind the Indiana Supreme Court case
Before Santa Claus, Indiana, became a well-known destination for amusement park lovers, two entrepreneurs engaged in a long legal battle that was eventually decided by the state’s highest court.
Hogsett says mall redevelopment among downtown’s most significant wins
The mall redevelopment is not the largest downtown project in terms of cost. But it will elevate a vast and critical piece of real estate as more than $9 billion in other downtown projects are slated to come to completion over the next decade.
Alcoholics Anonymous to host 2035 convention in Indianapolis with 60,000 attendees
Alcoholics Anonymous holds its event every five years. Local tourism leaders pitched the sobriety group on Indianapolis in late 2022, with representatives visiting this August.
Hamilton County indoor football team to be called Fishers Freight
The Freight plans to begin home games at the new Fishers Event Center in March 2025 and will be joined in the 8,500-seat venue by the Indy Fuel hockey team by the end of 2024.
New sculpture at Indianapolis airport is a testament to travel
“Blue Skies” occupies a 40-feet-by-100-feet space above escalators and stairs at Indianapolis International Airport.
Photo gallery: Indianapolis Zoo chimpanzee exhibit set for May debut
About 20 chimpanzees are expected to be on site when the $25 million exhibit opens to the public, with the facility able to accommodate up to 30 adult apes.
Terre Haute casino set for spring opening, regulators say
The Terre Haute Casino Resort will feature a 400,000-square-foot casino building with 56,000 square feet of gaming space that includes 1,000 slots and 50 table games, as well as a 125-room hotel.
Ruoff Music Center tops year-end chart for tickets sold at amphitheater venues
More than 600,000 tickets were sold for $31.8 million to concert attendees at Noblesville’s Ruoff Music Center in 2023, according to Pollstar magazine.
Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers take out Bucks to advance to tournament final
The Pacers, who haven’t reached the playoffs since 2020 or won a series since 2014, will have a chance to become the first in-season tournament champions Saturday.
PBS to air documentary made by Indianapolis filmmaker
Lawrence Central High School alum Samuel-Ali Mirpoorian also made a short film that’s eligible for 2025 Academy Award consideration.
UPDATE: Martin president resigns from Newfields board in response to CEO departure
Sean Huddleston, president of Martin University, resigned from the Newfields board of trustees on Nov. 20.
Four members of Newfields’ associate board resign in wake of CEO’s departure
Visit Indy executive Chris Gahl said the Newfields board of trustees has a poor track record of communicating with the board of governors.
Great American Songbook Foundation planning museum north of Palladium
The organization has entered into a preliminary agreement with the city of Carmel to locate the museum on 3.7 acres at the northeast corner of City Center Drive and 3rd Avenue Southwest.
10 tours to spread holiday cheer at central Indiana concert venues
Jazz, hip-hop, rock and country styles will be represented when touring acts bring holiday shows to Indianapolis and Carmel.
Westfield marks Grand Park’s 10th anniversary with 30-minute documentary
The city used $30,000 from its Grand Park promotional fund for the documentary called “We Field Champions” that was produced by Noblesville-based filmmaker Cameron Sprinkle.
Pacers qualify as quarterfinal host for NBA’s new In-Season Tournament
Indiana, Milwaukee, the Lakers and the Kings all made all the guesswork easy because they were the teams that went 4-0 in group play.
Holcomb releases 62 videos promoting Hoosier attractions
The video project, All Around Indiana, features a buffalo preserve, caves, parks, racing, sandhill crane migration and much more more—and highlights a variety of industries. Holcomb narrates the videos.
Two Newfields board members resigned before CEO’s departure was announced
The unexplained resignations of two prominent board members join a list of unknowns hovering above recent changes at Newfields art museum and gardens.
All-in cost of Pan Am Plaza hotel, convention center expansion might surpass $1.6B
The city on Wednesday and Thursday sold $581 million in bonds for the development through the Indianapolis Local Public Improvement Bond Bank, consisting of $436.8 million in tax-exempt revenue bonds for the hotel portion of the project, and another $155 million for the convention center expansion.