Indiana county ready for fair after grandstands fire
Temporary metal bleachers have been built along a track at the Shelby County Fairgrounds to replace the 133-year-old wooden grandstands destroyed in an arson last month.
View ArticleCity plans bid on 2018 Super Bowl
Officials are emboldened by the financial results of the city's first time hosting the NFL championship game in February, which produced a direct economic impact of $176 million, according to a study...
View ArticleEvent-planning vet Maribeth Smith has impressive resume
Maribeth Smith’s introduction to the world of event planning sure was a doozy—coordinating the city’s first significant Final Four in 1991. In the 20 years since, Smith has planned some of...
View ArticleReport: Indy visitors pay high taxes for travel
Visitors pay among the highest travel taxes in the nation when they come to Indianapolis — 17 percent on hotel rates, 15 percent on rental cars and 9 percent on meals.
View ArticleMore companies planning holiday parties, survey says
A new survey shows 83 percent of companies polled plan to host holiday parties this year, up from 68 percent a year ago.
View ArticleBig Ten football title game crowd disappoints organizers
Organizers of the Big Ten football championship played in Indianapolis say they’ll consider making changes for next year’s game in an attempt to boost attendance.
View ArticleTourism generated $4B for city last year, study says
A study released Thursday says the tourism industry in Indianapolis had an economic impact of nearly $4 billion in 2011, a 10-percent increase from the previous year.
View ArticleCity’s tourism agency reports strong 2012
Indianapolis' hosting of the Super Bowl last February seems to be paying off for Visit Indy, which says the exposure the city received from the game is translating into more visitor interest.
View ArticleTicket brokers, city to take lumps as IU sent east
Ticket brokers took a gut punch Sunday when NCAA officials announced that Indiana University would not be playing in the Midwest Regional of the men's basketball tournament. Local tourism officials say...
View ArticleIndianapolis loses bid to host 2016 Olympic swim trials in stadium
Indianapolis has been eliminated as a candidate to host the 2016 U.S. Olympic swimming trials at Lucas Oil Stadium. USA Swimming told local leaders that the venue would be "challenging for creating an...
View ArticleDemand for hotels, tickets spike as NCAA regional looms
Downtown hoteliers are expecting a sellout this weekend, and ticket brokers are reporting a spike in ticket prices even though Indiana University is playing elsewhere.
View ArticleIUPUI to show off elaborate game at Gen Con
The entire Indiana Convention Center will be the stage for the game, which uses video mapping and projectors that will create a large crystalline display showing the game results. The four-day Gen Con...
View ArticleLocal boat, RV show changes format to widen audience
For the first time in its 26-year history, the Indianapolis Fall Boat and RV Show will include an auction open to the public. Event organizers think it will draw bidders from far and wide.
View Article'Dynamic duo' boosts Hamilton County tourism
In eight years with the Hamilton County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Executive Director Brenda Myers has morphed her organization into a developer, grant giver and landlord. The strategy appears to...
View ArticleIndianapolis named finalist for 2018 Super Bowl
Indy joins Minneapolis and New Orleans as the three NFL cities invited to bid on the big game. The 2012 Super Bowl had a $176 million direct economic impact on the city, a study said.
View ArticleProposal calls for alcohol sales during Indiana State Fair
The Indiana State Fair is only one of two state fairs that prohibit the sale of alcohol. Senate Bill 168, authored by Sen. Jean Leising, R-Oldenburg, would change that.
View ArticleSpeedway outsources concession stand operations
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday reached a multiyear deal with Illinois-based Levy Restaurants to operate concession stands and manage premium beverage operations during major events.
View ArticleFirefighter convention expecting record attendance
A record-breaking 32,000 firefighters are expected at the annual event, which started Monday and runs through Saturday at the Indiana Convention Center.
View Article500 Festival Mini Marathon might not fill field
With less than two weeks to go, the 38th 500 Festival Mini Marathon might not have a full field for the first time in 12 years.
View ArticleFairgrounds officials pushing for coliseum sponsorship
The Fairgrounds Coliseum, which reopens Thursday after a $63 million renovation, is likely to receive a new name soon, an Indiana State Fair Commission spokesman said.
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