Football fans Cathy, Erin, Paige, and Michael Eacret can’t wait for the Super Bowl.
around 150,000 visitors, and with only approximately 20,000 hotel rooms available in Indianapolis, that leaves a lot of room for Hamilton County and nearby areas. The fans demographic profile also inspires local tourism and business leaders. As Radcliff points out, the economic development benefits “come not only through spending, but also visitation.” According to data from past Super Bowls, 65% of those who attend the game are key decision-makers within their company, and based on a positive experience, most would consider hosting a business meeting in the area, and a few would discuss expansion or even establishing a business. While the Indianapolis host committee doesn’t plan to do a study, Dianna Boyce, Director of Communications for the organizing group, adds prior research from host cities have measured the impact of hosting a Super Bowl game generating between $125 million to $400 million. Local companies can reap potential benefits as well through participation in the NFL’s Emerging Business Program, a joint effort by the league and Indianapolis host committee to inform Local banker and Steelers apologist Daniel Hayes gets his game face on.
and engage the Minority and Women Owned Businesses (MWBE) of opportunities available surrounding Super Bowl XLVI. To date, 26 Hamilton County firms have signed up for the program, and while there are no guarantees regarding contracts or work related to the game, it gives businesses an introduction to potential local partners and exposure to other procurement opportunities. While fans, both local and out-of-town, will be directed toward activities such as the NFL Experience and the Super Bowl Village in downtown Indy, many Hamilton County businesses and hospitality entities are expected to be a hub for guests and should receive a considerable spike in business. Count Paul O’Connor, General Manager of the Renaissance Hotel in Carmel, as one of the event’s biggest supporters. “I’m very excited, it’s a feather in the cap of the region to host the Super Bowl and all the ancillary events that come with it,” remarked O’Connor, whose hotel is at capacity for game week. “The fact that Indianapolis is the smallest city to host the game helps compress busi-
ness from downtown to the north end.” He believes the layout will ensure Indianapolis a spot in the annual Super Bowl rotation. Like many area business people with a vested interest, O’Connor has lent a hand in the effort to organize and assist his peers in putting their best foot forward. As a “Hotel Quarterback”, he’ll serve as a liaison to other hotels, providing information on details such as coordinating delivery schedules, employee transportation, snow removal, and other logistics. Meanwhile, Kevin Ryder, owner of Woody’s Library Restaurant in Carmel, sees the synergy in the hospitality sector and simplifies the game’s potential impact. “Everything’s better when there’s a big event. If the hotels are full, it’s good for business.” Ryder has operated Woody’s for 14 years and is bullish on the area. “It’s an exciting time. An event of this nature and the attention it brings, not just to Indianapolis, but to Hamilton County and Central Indiana, is hard to duplicate. As merchants and as a community, it gives us a real opportunity to showcase ourselves and what we have to offer.” v
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Hamilton County Business Magazine/December 2011 • January 2012
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