Children’s Museum matures to become keystone of city, state tourism strategy
The museum is arguably the Indy area’s most magnetic force, luring visitors from virtually every state in the country and six of seven continents.
Tourism & Hospitality
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Visit Indy sets annual record for hotel room bookings
Hotel rooms booked by Visit Indy rose to a record in 2015. But the number of bookings from out-of-state organizations plummeted by more than 100,000, possibly because of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act controversy.
Conner Prairie plans new outdoor nature exhibit
Park officials did not offer details about the new exhibit, which is set to open July 1, but the park previously disclosed plans to open an attraction featuring a four-story treehouse surrounded by five activity areas.
New tourism strategy generates $35M for Hamilton County
An autumn campaign targeting the Chicago area sparked $156 in visitor spending for every marketing dollar spent, tourism officials said.
Athenaeum receives Basile gift to help fund $1.2M in theater repairs
Local philanthropists Frank and Katrina Basile have contributed $225,000 toward a fundraising campaign for renovating the theater, which will be renamed for the couple.
Survey: Religious freedom law costly for convention business
Indiana might have lost as much as $60 million in hotel profits and other economic benefits when a dozen groups decided against hosting conventions in Indianapolis last year possibly because of the controversy surrounding the religious freedom law.
Indy fends off rivals, signs multiyear NFL Combine pact
Indianapolis has hit pay dirt with a multiyear deal intended to keep the lucrative NFL Scouting Combine here through 2020, just as competition to host the high-profile event intensifies.
Poll finds RFRA impacts linger; Visit Indy acts to blunt damage
The survey found that only 45 percent of the 339 meeting decision makers polled agree with the city’s post-RFRA battle cry “Indy Welcomes All.” And a mere 28 percent surveyed agree with the statement “Indiana Welcomes All.”
Eiteljorg museum makes layoffs as attendance, revenue fall
The dismissal of five full-time workers marks the first layoffs for the downtown museum since 2009. But the Eiteljorg is preparing to launch a 5-year campaign to boost its $20 million endowment, a move that could stabilize operating revenue for future years.
Colts fans snap up travel packages for London game
Bullseye Event Group is aiming to fill a Boeing 747 airliner with Indianapolis Colts fans for next season's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London. So far, 100 travel packages have been sold.
Warm weather takes toll on Indiana ski resorts
Paoli Peaks Ski Resort and Perfect North Slopes are seeing some action this week after high temperatures kept them mostly snowless throughout December.
Owner still plans rebuilding of Indiana music hall
The owner of the Little Nashville Opry site in Brown County says he's still working on long-delayed plans to rebuild the concert hall that was destroyed by arson more than six years ago.
NBA chief wants all-star event here, but Indy hasn’t put forth proposal
Indianapolis hasn’t hosted the NBA All-Star Game since 1985—when it was in the Hoosier Dome—something the league’s commissioner, Adam Silver, wants to change. But local officials haven’t pulled the trigger on a bid.
Hyatt Regency’s lobby, eateries to get $1.3M makeover
The new owners of the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis decided its lower levels needed an overhaul and sharpened culinary focus.
PRI expo hits gas on attendance, keeping exhibitors busy
The Performance Racing Industry expo’s attendance over the weekend in Indianapolis surpassed 55,000, as exhibitors reported best-ever sales.
Hamilton County Sports Authority prepares for busy 2016
The organization, a division of Hamilton County Tourism Inc., is launching a five-year calendar, increasing its budget by 25 percent and hiring another staff member.
Indiana to kick off bicentennial celebration this week
Plans for the Indiana Bicentennial Plaza were released Wednesday morning. The projects calls for the installation of two art pieces on the grounds of the Indiana Government Center complex.
Groups seek to amp up Indy’s star power with TV, film initiative
The two-year, $300,000 initiative will court production crews for movies and TV commercials and shows. A consortium of city, civic and tourism groups think it could have a $6 million annual impact.
Live Nation’s deal to buy Old National Centre unravels
The group that owns the landmark entertainment and hospitality venue in downtown Indianapolis has decided not to sell the building after Live Nation made an offer late last year.
Growing Gen Con event to use Lucas Oil Stadium in 2016
The annual gaming convention, considered the largest of its kind, attracted 61,423 individuals for 197,695 visits in August, marking its sixth straight year of growth.