Indianapolis wins bid to host FFA convention through 2031
The National FFA Convention & Expo says the event, which draws nearly 70,000 visitors, had an estimated economic impact of $39.8 million when it was hosted here this year.
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Fishers district earns statewide arts, cultural designation
The Indiana Arts Commission Board voted to designate the Nickel Plate District in Fishers as a Statewide Cultural District, a designation held by only seven other communities in the state.
Downtown Indy calls off civic New Year’s Eve celebration
An outdoor New Year's Eve event in downtown Indianapolis that attracted 40,000 people just two years ago has been scratched.
IBJ Podcast: Why the Indy CIB will ask the Legislature for millions of dollars
The Capital Improvement Board will seek at least $8 million from lawmakers to help fund what officials say will be a 25-year plan for improvements in the Indiana Convention Center, Bankers Life Fieldhouse and other facilities the CIB owns.
Tourism officials expect another big impact from Big Ten Football Championship Game
Tourism bureau Visit Indy has spent about $60,000 on advertising over the past two weeks targeting Ohio State and Northwestern fans in Columbus, Ohio, and Chicago.
Kite seeks to minimize risk in convention-hotels project
Hospitality industry observers say this is far from an ideal time for Kite—a publicly traded real estate investment trust specializing in shopping centers—to veer outside its core business and tackle what would be a risky and colossal project that easily could cost more than $600 million.
Bidders on state park’s concert stage upgrade go wide of mark, delaying work
New restrooms will be ready for concertgoers at the Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn, but a key portion of the venue’s two-year, $27 million revamp must wait until 2020.
Developer in downtown hotel project sues bank in rift over relocating branch
Loftus Robinson plans to transform the 16-story tower into a 130-room Kimpton-brand hotel. But it says it has hit a snag with moving Centier Bank from the ground floor.
Developer scraps plan for $22M downtown hotel, citing costs
Sun Development & Management Corp said the 11-story, 150-room project slated for a surface parking lot along South Meridian Street turned out to be “cost-prohibitive.”
Missouri tour boat captain indicted in sinking that killed 17
Charges have been filed against the captain of a Missouri tourist boat that sank and killed 17 people, including nine people from an Indiana family, federal prosecutors said Thursday.
Museum inside Indianapolis Motor Speedway is planning massive expansion, renovation
Planning for the project is still in the early stages but it’s likely to cost tens of millions of dollars.
New downtown nightclub set to take over Subterra Lounge space
A new nightclub that describes itself as a “New Orleans-inspired voodoo dive bar” is set to celebrate its grand opening Saturday.
Indiana Historical Society names CEO to replace retiring Herbst
The CEO of the Connecticut Historical Society will take over the post in late January, marking the first leadership change at the organization in more than a dozen years.
IBJ Podcast: Detailing the Pan Am Plaza hotel-and-convention project
Guest host Lindsey Erdody (in for Mason King) talks with IBJ reporters Hayleigh Colombo and Anthony Schoettle about the public-private project, the city’s convention business and what remains unknown about the Pan Am Plaza project.
Trump briefly campaigns for two of Indiana’s congressmen at FFA convention
During his remarks at the National FFA Convention and Expo at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Saturday, President Donald Trump talked about the Pittsburgh shooting and trade deals, and brought two Indiana congressmen on stage.
Microsoft, AgriNovus Indiana put agtech center stage at FFA convention
The highly interactive and sophisticated Blue Room at this year’s National FFA Convention & Expo knocked the socks off thousands of students at the Indiana Convention Center. The initiative to highlight the advances in agricultural technology will continue year-round online.
President Trump to speak at FFA convention in Indianapolis
President Donald Trump plans to speak at Bankers Life Fieldhouse at this week’s annual FFA event, which is expected to attract about 70,000 blue-jacket-wearing attendees from across the country to downtown Indianapolis.
Indianapolis vying to continue as host of FFA convention until 2031
Indianapolis is under consideration for a seven-year contract extension that would keep FFA’s giant national convention in the city until 2031—but it’s competing for the opportunity with another city.
Indiana museum to tell story of basketball great Larry Bird
Larry Bird plans to donate personal items and memorabilia from his career with the Boston Celtics, Indiana State University, the U.S. Olympic team and beyond.
Citing hotel deal, Gen Con extends Indy contract
Gen Con President David Hoppe said “new hotel developments, along with Indy’s desire for technological upgrades, have made our decision to extend with Indianapolis an easy choice.”