Hamilton County sees jump in visitor spending
Visitors spent nearly $681 million in the county in 2015, with most of the dollars used for food and beverages. That’s a 12 percent boost over 2014, nearly double the increase for the overall metro area.
Visitor Spending
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Bloomington tourism ads play off liberal bent
Visit Bloomington has overhauled its marketing campaign and doubled its ad budget this year—pegging the home of Indiana University as the “blue dot in a red state.”
Restaurant group planning changes to ‘Devour’ events
The Indianapolis Downtown Restaurant & Hospitality Association is making big adjustments to its “Devour” events starting next year, the organization announced Monday.
Despite challenges, regional counties carve out convention, tourism niche
While Indianapolis pursues major sporting events and massive conventions—gatherings that attract tens of thousands of people and score tens of millions of dollars in economic impact—many neighboring counties are chasing small and midsize corporate confabs, weddings and senior-citizen bus tours.
$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.
Gen Con wants more lodging options in Indy to fuel growth
Total attendance for last week’s Gen Con show in Indianapolis inched up over last year’s record numbers. More hotel spaces could help the show expand, according to an organizer.
Zionsville stirs up debate over lodging service Airbnb
A local couple wants permission to list a garage apartment through the lodging platform. Some residents think Airbnb could attract tourism dollars, while others worry about safety and the area’s character.
Restroom neutrality becomes hospitality sales tool
Only 1 percent of the events booked over the last year at the Indiana Convention Center asked for gender-neutral bathrooms, but hospitality experts say it’s a big and growing issue.
UConn makes women’s hoops history in Indianapolis
UConn won an unprecedented fourth straight national championship Tuesday night in Indianapolis, capping another perfect season by routing Syracuse 82-51. Coach Geno Auriemma passed John Wooden with his 11th national title.
Visit Indy goes all-digital with advertising
Visit Indy decided in the third quarter of 2014 to go all-digital with its seven-figure leisure advertising campaign, and it hasn’t looked back.
Fuson: NBA All-Star Game economic impact bigger than anticipated
City and Indiana Pacers officials will decide after they get bid requirements later this summer whether to pursue the NBA All-Star Game for Indianapolis.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
Hamilton County overhauls strategy, targets Chicago visitors
Hamilton County Tourism is in the process of testing a marketing campaign aimed at attracting weekend visitors in the fall months. And it’s targeting only one out-of-state area—Chicago—instead of several.
Engineers: Lucas Oil Stadium roof working properly
After several tests, engineers have certified that the roof is now fully operable, according to a written statement from the Indiana State Convention and Building Authority.
Indianapolis to host high-profile confab for U.S. mayors
The conference is expected to draw presidential candidates and national media because it will come not long before the Democratic and Republican national conventions.
Hoteliers hesitant to bet on Grand Park Sports Campus crowds
A strong debut for Westfield’s Grand Park Sports Campus is driving hotel demand for a town without any rooms of its own and few hotels in the works.