Cultural Trail to hire first executive director
A new not-for-profit organization will try to raise more than $700,000 a year for the trail’s ongoing maintenance, and it will market the trail as a tourism and economic-development engine.
Tourism & Hospitality
Articles
Circle City Classic organizers look to boost 27-year-old event
A management shift and a renewed marketing effort that includes new attractions and increased advertising in key markets has Circle City Classic organizers optimistic about the annual event’s future.
Local ordinance could be key in City Market discrimination flap
Unlike state and federal law, city ordinance prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation. That may be enough for the city to take action against Just Cookies, which operates in City Market, for declining a request based on the customer’s sexual orientation.
Crowne Plaza walkway to add to city’s connectivity
Officials for Crowne Plaza Hotel downtown said a $400,000 enclosed connector linking the hotel to the convention center will be done in February.
Indy Super Bowl organizers moving ahead with plans
Local organizers expect the 2012 Super Bowl to be played as scheduled, despite growing concerns that an NFL work stoppage could force postponement or cancellation of the game.
JW Marriott already sold 100,000 rooms
It doesn’t open until Feb. 4, but downtown’s JW Marriott hotel has already booked 100,000 room nights for 2011—more than any other local hotel—an achievement drawing both praise and concern from others in the hospitality industry.
Super Bowl crew hustles to prep for 2012 event in Indianapolis
CEO Allison Melangton deliberately hired only Indiana residents to tap a deep talent pool and play up Hoosier hospitality.
Indianapolis lands large environmental trade show
The Pump & Cleaner Environmental Expo will be held in Indianapolis each year in February from 2012 to 2014. It is expected to attract more than 12,000 visitors annually and generate an estimated $24 million in spending over the three-year stretch.
Indiana Supreme Court won’t hear Lee’s Inns dispute
A long-running legal battle among members of the Lee family of North Vernon over the valuation of their hotel chain has come to an end.
Liquor board OKs permit for City Market beer sales
The Marion County Alcoholic Beverage Board voted to approve a carryout liquor license for the historic downtown site. The permit will allow the Indiana Brewers Guild to open a bar featuring local craft beers.
Auto auction’s new owner calls first event a success
Auctions America by RM, which bought the former Kruse Auction Park in Auburn two months ago, said more than 25,000 people attended this past weekend’s event, during which sales topped $13 million.
CIB approves 2011 budget
Including debt obligations, the CIB’s total budget for 2011 is expected to be $104.4 million. The City-County Council is set
to receive the budget at its Sept. 20 meeting and could approve it Oct. 25.
Urban farming key to this ‘Taste of Indiana’
First-of-its-kind event in Indianapolis showcases what’s known as the slow food movement, which promotes the benefits of producing
plants, seeds and livestock for local consumption.
BASILE: For an in-state outing, you can bank on Wabash
Instead of writing about some international location this time around,
I thought I’d rediscover something near home: Wabash, southwest of Fort Wayne.
Conrad hotel’s Spa Chakra closes abruptly
Conrad General Manager Greg Tinsley says the hotel plans to reopen the high-end spa by Oct. 1, after receiving
notification Friday that it had closed.
Indiana State Fair ends with slightly smaller crowd
The Indiana State Fair has wrapped up a 17-day run during which officials say it drew 952,020 visitors.
Vonnegut memorial library to open this fall in Indianapolis
The Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library scheduled to open this fall in downtown Indianapolis will be part library and part museum.
INSIDE DISH: Fairgrounds caterer revels in year-round gig
Plying fairgoers with country-fried treats is just the
start for John Barto, whose firm provides food-and-beverage service for confabs
across the Fairgrounds calendar.
Thousands beat it to Indianapolis for Drum Corps competition
About 30,000 people are expected to attend the Drum Corps International World Championships over the next three days at Lucas
Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Holiday World keeps busy during sizzling summer
Park officials say attendance at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari is nearing 1 million for the fifth straight year
and the park will likely break previous attendance records.