Marriott buys Starwood, becomes world’s largest hotel chain
Several of the best-known names in travel are now united in one hotel company after the $13 billion acquisition.
Tourism & Hospitality
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Museum of Contemporary Art leaving Fountain Square base
The Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art plans to move out of its headquarters gallery in the Murphy Arts Center by the end of the year to make room for an expansion of bar and music venue Hi-Fi and other building renovations.
Center for the Performing Arts seeking several high-level executives
Since May, the Carmel not-for-profit has lost its CEO and president, vice president of marketing and communications, and vice president of finance.
Indy Pride to move Pride Fest, hire first executive director
Indy Pride Inc. on Friday announced that its 2017 Circle City IN Pride Fest will be moving to Military Park at White River State Park after seven years of growth at the American Legion Mall.
$2M ad campaign helps drive ticket sales for debut air race at IMS
Tourism officials say they don’t know what kind of economic impact to expect from the event but note plenty of hotel rooms are available now for the Oct. 1-2 event.
Bike-share program adds two stations with room for 26 bikes
The Indiana Pacers Bikeshare system is adding two new stations next month—and it’s hoping for a much larger expansion down the road.
Billionaire hotelier Dean White dies at 93
His company, Merrillville-based Whiteco Industries, developed hotels across the United States, including the downtown Indianapolis hotel complex that includes the JW Marriott.
Museum of Art celebrates architecture of the coffeepot
It’s a nice surprise—especially for those caught up in the current wave of coffee-mania—to find coffeepots in a museum. The contemporary design wing of the Indianapolis Museum of Art has several in its collection.
Aviation event hoping to make a comeback
Organizers involved with the popular Indianapolis Air Show, which ended a 16-year run in 2012, are returning this year with a remodeled event called the Indy Air Expo, set for Sept. 17-18.
Visit Indy chief says major convention center expansion not needed now
Visit Indy CEO Leonard Hoops told Capital Improvement Board members that standing pat is not an option when it comes to hospitality infrastructure, but a major expansion wouldn’t be needed in the near future.
Downtown music fest solidifies lineup for its debut
Organizers of Evermore Music Festival, set for three days this fall on the lawn of the American Legion Mall, hope slow ticket sales perk up.
Indiana State Fair attendance sinks almost 20 percent
This year’s attendance was hampered by excessive heat and nine days of precipitation that brought more than 4 inches of rain, officials said. Sunday, however, brought a record final-day crowd.
Capital Improvement Board passes budget with hefty deficit
CIB Executive Director Barney Levengood implored the board not to be overly concerned about the projected $46 million shortfall. The City-County Council is set consider the budget at its Sept. 25 meeting.
City studies need for more hotels after losing 1,000+ rooms
The closure of a handful of hotels across the city has essentially wiped out the gains made when the JW Marriott opened with its 1,005 rooms. Now Visit Indy and the city’s Capital Improvement Board are studying whether the city needs more rooms and more convention center space.
Heartland Film names new president as it nears milestone
Craig Prater has run film festivals around the globe and brings expertise in fundraising, sponsorships and tourism. Heartland’s 25th annual festival is scheduled for October.
Festivals, opera premiere, more await Vonnegut fans
Two festivals and the world premiere of an opera that Kurt Vonnegut finished shortly before his death will celebrate the writer's legacy this fall in Indianapolis, his hometown.
Greenwood OKs TIF funds for $7M distillery, restaurant
The Greenwood Redevelopment Commission on Tuesday approved a tax-increment financing plan for a business group that wants to build an alcohol distillery, brewery and restaurant on a 12-acre site along Main Street, east of Interstate 65.
Merrillville’s Star Plaza Theatre, hotel set for closure
Hotel officials say Merrillville's Star Plaza Theatre and its adjacent Radisson Hotel will be demolished next year to make room for a new hotel.