The capital of Indiana is many things, including a premier racing destination, a Midwest culinary gem, a shopping hot spot, a place brimming with arts and cultural offerings and one of the country’s most walkable cities.
With more than 18 million visitors each year, Indianapolis ranks as one of the top 25 most-visited cities in the U.S., according to Chris Gahl, spokesperson for the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association (ICVA).
With that in mind, planners must realize they have plenty of options to satisfy groups in Indy.
“The Indiana Convention Center is conveniently located in our walkable downtown, and there is a ton of attractions and things for attendees to do, whether they decide to visit our Smithsonian-affiliated interactive history park or Conner Prairie, or shop until they drop along 86th Street’s many malls and other retail shops,” Gahl says.
Walk the Walk
The Indianapolis Cultural Trail, which has been rolling out in phases and is scheduled for completion sometime next year, combines two of the city’s standout highlights: culture and walkability. The world-class urban bike and pedestrian path connects neighborhoods, cultural districts and entertainment amenities, and serves as the downtown hub for the entire central Indiana greenway system.
Following the trail, which connects five downtown cultural districts including Fountain Square, Indiana Avenue, Mass Ave, White River State Park and the Wholesale District, attendees can get a terrific glimpse of the city’s offerings. They might like to rent bicycles or put on their sneakers for an afternoon of exploration.
“Often dubbed the ‘most walkable downtown in America,’ Indianapolis boasts more than 200 restaurants and 50 attractions within walking distance of the downtown hotel core and convention center,” Gahl says, explaining that the unique 250-acre urban green space, White River State Park, features the Indianapolis Canal, which delegates can cruise via a gondola.
Among the other cultural districts to visit are Fountain Square and Mass Ave, both known for funky, independent restaurants, boutiques and art galleries; the Wholesale District, known for its nightlife; and Indiana Avenue, home to Indianapolis’ best-known African-American attractions, including the Madame Walker Theatre Center, which is available for off-site events.
Attractions and Gathering Spots
Among Indy’s most popular off-site venues for group events are the Indianapolis Zoo’s Dolphin Dome, an underwater viewing dome that’s regularly rented for evening events ranging from meetings to parties and dinners; the Hilbert Circle Theatre, home of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, located on Monument Circle and available for meetings, receptions and private concerts when performances are not scheduled; and the NCAA Hall of Champions, which, according to the ICVA, offers a unique, interactive atmosphere for breakout meetings and receptions.
It’s worth noting the Hall of Champions is expanding, and when completed in June 2012, the total conference center will offer 30,000 square feet of space for visiting group functions.
Scheduled for completion by the end of the year is the Dallara Indy Racing Experience, a production facility that will manufacture IndyCars before they’re rolled across the street to the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway, host of the Indy 500. The facility will tout some 100,000 square feet of space for group gatherings complete with views of IndyCars actually being assembled, and will also offer IndyCar rides around the streets of downtown Indianapolis.
From go-karting to a round of golf, fun-filled activities for attendees to enjoy after they’ve taken care of business abound in Indianapolis.
“The city’s various museums, theater performances and nightlife venues all provide great opportunities for groups to explore Indy together,” according to Gahl.
He says Indy Food Tours provides group outings of the best restaurants, architecture and history of Indianapolis’ different areas; the Indianapolis Art Center offers team-building exercises through the creation of collages; and golf at one of the Pete Dye Golf Trail’s four area courses makes for a great networking outing.
Meanwhile, Fastimes is Indianapolis’ two-story karting facility with speeds up to 40 mph, catering for corporate events and team-building exercises, Gahl adds.
Nuts and Bolts
Aside from all of its fabulous extras, several factors separate Indianapolis from other Midwest destinations, according to the ICVA, including more hotel rooms (4,700) connected via climate-controlled skywalks to the Indiana Convention Center than any other destination in the country, the convention center’s location in a compact and convenient downtown, and the city’s positioning within a day’s drive of more than 50 percent of the country.
“This creates better, more attended conventions that allow attendees to really take advantage of their visit when they are not in meetings,” Gahl says. “Also, because of the many connected skywalks, meeting planners and attendees save a tremendous amount of money on transportation.”
The Indiana Convention Center recently doubled in size and now offers 566,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space. Attached to the center is Lucas Oil Stadium, the venue for the 2012 Super Bowl, which adds 183,000 square feet for a total of 749,000 square feet of exhibit space under one roof.
With more than 32,000 hotel rooms in Indianapolis, all major brands are represented, from the world’s largest JW Marriott, with 1,006 guest rooms, to Westin, Hyatt, Omni and Conrad properties, Gahl says.
“There are more than 20 hotels offering at least 10,000 square feet of meeting space,” he says. “Also, the current hotel core has invested more than $70 million in the last three years—renovating, expanding and polishing themselves.”
One such project is under way at the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis, which recently began a $19 million guest room transformation. With completion anticipated for January 2012, the hotel will feature the newest guest rooms and suites in the city.
Indianapolis Environs
There are options for group gatherings beyond Indianapolis proper, starting with the cluster of hotels conveniently located within minutes of Indianapolis International Airport.
“Competitive in pricing and offering ample meeting space, many planners tap these hotels,” Gahl says.
Meetings-friendly properties here include the Wyndham Indianapolis West, the Radisson Hotel Indianapolis Airport and the Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Airport.
Indianapolis Marriott East is located east of the city and acts as a springboard to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, which groups enjoy visiting. They also appreciate outings to Brown County State Park, located about an hour south of the city, and Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Hall of Fame & Country Star Museum, also south of the city.
The 4,000-acre Eagle Creek Park, located north of Indianapolis, features a 1,300-acre reservoir where attendees can canoe, kayak and windsurf during the summer months. In winter, Eagle Creek Park offers cross-country skiing opportunities.
Meetings-friendly properties situated to the north of Indy include the Renaissance Indianapolis North, Hilton Indianapolis North, Holiday Inn Indianapolis North at the Pyramids, Indianapolis Marriott North and Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel and Suites.
Carolyn Blackburn is a frequent contributor to Meetings Focus MidAmerica.
