When finished next year, Indianapolis Marriott Place will give the city the kind of hotel facilities needed to attract major conventions, shows and events. Photo: Dustin Louderback
dation grant, White says, further reflects his father’s commitment to the success of not just the Marriott venture, but the city as well. “We know that we are only as good as the hospitality industry in Indianapolis,” he said. “If we open up and bookings at other hotels go down, we haven’t accomplished anything.” According to ICVA’s Welsh, these additional funds will allow the Association to hire additional staff to help meet its increased room night bookings goals; increase trade advertising from $75,000 to $400,000; expand its leisure campaign from 10 to 22 weeks in length and from four to 11 markets; and to target the new markets of Atlanta, Dallas and Houston. Additionally, the Association has inked a pact with online travel provider Expedia to offer hotel, airline and rental car packages through its Web site, visitindy.com, and plans capitalize on the Indianapolis Airport’s new $1.1 billion terminal by targeting its first international market, the United Kingdom. All this activity in 2010 is in order to set www.buildingindiananews.com
the stage for 2011. Not only is the J.W Marriott slated for completion next year, but so is the $725 million expansion of the Indianapolis Convention Center, whose 420,000 new square feet will make it the 16th largest convention center in the nation. Combined with the new Lucas Oil Stadium, the ICVA will have 1.2 million square feet of convention space – 65 percent more than it had in the unexpanded convention center and the RCA Dome.
And then, in 2012, comes the biggest of the Big Shows, the Super Bowl. “What’s happening in Indianapolis is amazing,” Dow says. “When the Super Bowl comes to town, it’s not only going to be the Super Bowl for football, but the Super Bowl for Indianapolis as well. Now, you’re playing with places like Chicago and Orlando. Indianapolis is in a new league now.” For more on tourism and events around Indiana in 2010, turn to page 82.
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