visit indy annual report

• Organizations
• Publications
• Contributors

Have Suggestions?

Contribute to this page by emailing us your suggestions.

Tourism bureau

Visit Indy is a nonprofit organization that serves as the official sales and marketing arm for the city of Indianapolis and the Indiana Convention Center . 

In 1923, local businessmen founded the Indianapolis Convention and Publicity Bureau (ICPB) in an effort to attract business from the fledgling convention industry to the city as part of the Indianapolis Chamber Of Commerce . Within its first nine months of operation, ICPB hosted 69 conventions with 36,125 delegates. The following year more than 67,000 people attended 201 conventions in Indianapolis, generating $11 million (about $166 million in 2020) in economic impact for the city. By 1932, conventions generated over $5 million (over $95 million in 2020) for Indianapolis’ economy.

ICPB spun off from the Chamber entirely by 1936 and was quickly renamed the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Bureau (ICVB). By 1941, conventions were already becoming big business for Indy as a record 137,365 convention-goers attended 312 conventions in the city. During World War II, convention business dropped dramatically as the government discouraged all nonessential meetings. It increased after the war, however, and ICVB created a tourism department that featured group sightseeing tours of the city.

During the 1950s and 1960s, the convention industry continued to pump millions of dollars into the local economy. Tourism generated $7 million in 1950, $16 million by 1958, $20 million by 1961, and $36 million by 1968.

In 1965, the Indiana General Assembly created the Capital Improvement Board to finance, build and operate the Indiana Convention Center. When this facility opened in downtown Indianapolis in 1972, it immediately increased the city’s capacity to host large meetings and events for the tourism industry. The building originally had 100,000 square feet of tradeshow space and Sammy Davis Jr. was the first performer in the venue.

Five years after the opening of the convention center, ICVB was reorganized. The bureau’s budget increased five-fold as it implemented a major marketing campaign. Revenues from conventions and tourism increased as well, jumping from $50 million in 1978 to $192 million just two years later in 1980.

In 1983, ICVB changed its name to the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association (ICVA). The following year the Indiana Convention Center went through its first expansion alongside the construction of the Hoosier Dome . By 1985, ICVA-related business had a $358.3 million impact on the local economy.

From the mid-1980s to the early 1990s, Indianapolis made rapid gains in convention business, soaring into the top third of convention cities based on bookings and economic impact. In 1993, a second Indiana Convention Center expansion was completed, which added more meeting space to the facility. By the end of this period, ICVA-related conventions and tourism claimed to generate over $1.2 billion for Indianapolis’ economy.

In 1999, Indianapolis Project, Inc. , a nonprofit public relations arm for the city, was folded into ICVA. At the time of this merger, Indianapolis had become the 10 th -largest convention city in the United States. To accommodate this growth in convention business, the Indiana Convention Center was expanded a third time between 2000 and 2001.

Throughout the 2000s and early 2010s, ICVA advocated for new and upgraded facilities to keep Indianapolis competitive in the convention and tourism industries. In 2005, the Indiana General Assembly passed legislation to finance what would become Lucas Oil Stadium as well as another expansion of the convention center. Six years later, the fourth Indiana Convention Center expansion was completed, doubling its size and adjoining Lucas Oil Stadium (opened in 2008) via an underground connector. This $275 million investment brought the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium to a combined total of 749,000 square feet of exhibition space.

The opening of the JW Marriott Hotel in downtown Indianapolis in 2011 also added needed accommodations for convention visitors. These projects contributed to the city’s winning bid for Super Bowl Xlvi in 2012. Shortly after this event was held, USA Today named Indy the number one convention city in the United States, an accolade still held as of 2020.

Six months after Super Bowl XLVI, ICVA became Visit Indy. This new name was based on market research that showed people associated “Indy” as a more modern, cool, and desirable destination compared to perceptions connected to the city’s formal name. 

Visit Indy’s mission is to increase Indianapolis’ growth by strategically selling the city to convention, meeting, event, and leisure travelers. Its work is largely funded through the Capital Improvement Board (CIB). 

The organization’s most recent figures show Indianapolis welcoming 29.2 million annual visitors, who spend roughly $5.6 billion dollars in support of more than 82,900 full-time equivalent employment positions in the city’s hospitality industry. To attract new conventions, trade shows, corporate meetings, and related events in the future, CIB, Visit Indy, and other city leaders are planning a fifth major Indiana Convention Center expansion. The City-County Council approved the project in September 2020, and this work is scheduled to be completed in conjunction with the redevelopment of Pan American Plaza by the mid-to-late 2020s. 

To finance this project, the city plans to issue up to $155 million in bonds that would be paid back through tax-increment financing (TIF) over 25 years. The two brand-new hotels on the Pan American Plaza site, meanwhile, will be privately funded by Kite Realty Group Trust.

Help improve this entry

Contribute information, offer corrections, suggest images.

You can also recommend new entries related to this topic.

• Arts & Culture

• Public Affairs

January 22, 2014

Visit indy touts record numbers.

With the Super Bowl as the catalyst, tourism in Indianapolis is at an all-time high.

Visit Indy released its annual report, Wednesday, on figures from 2012.

It indicates tourism generated nearly $4.5 billion in economic impact across Central Indiana.

Chris Gahl with Visit Indy says hosting the NFL’s biggest game was a driving force in the record figures.

"We know specific to that $4.4 billion, the Super Bowl in itself generated $337 million.  That's a big chunk. That's a healthy chunk. So, certainly we saw that benefit in that bump," said Gahl.  "On top of that, additional sports tourism and again, this burgeoning, bigger facilities, mainly the Convention Center, have helped propel us to these record setting numbers."

The organization unveiled a tourism master plan leading up to 2020.  Gahl says it’s to build on the recent momentum.

"Through examining questions like 'do we need to expand the Convention Center again?  How many more hotels do we need? Do we need new types of museums and restaurants and attractions? And, how do we continue to activate public space and green space?' That's what we will be looking at and really putting into place, so that this road map - this master tourism plan - helps us as a community specific to tourism," he said  

He adds 26 million visitors came to Indianapolis in 2012, and tourism is responsible for 74,000 jobs in the region.

Related News

Public Affairs / March 8, 2024

Legislative leaders say 2024 session more substantive than planned, but much more to come in 2025.

Public Affairs / February 20, 2024

Economic enhancement district for mile square will not be repealed.

Bill effectively killing Indianapolis Blue Line gets hearing in House committee

WFYI 90.1 FM

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm, hd2 the point, xponential radio, 11:00 am - 11:59 pm.

Indiana Week in Review

Hoosier Democrats, Republicans and insiders talk candidly about issues, the Indiana Statehouse and everything in between on Indiana Week In Review from WFYI Public Media. Join host Brandon Smith and political experts as they dive into the debates shaping Indiana....

• Educational Resources
• WFYI Mobile App
• Follow @WFYI
• WFYI Passport
• Corporate Sponsorship
• Arts & Culture
• Follow @WFYINEWS
• Donate / Become a Member
• Update Payment Method
• Wills and Estate Planning
• Donate Your Car
• Gifts Of Securities
• Matching Gifts
• Help Center
• Contact WFYI
• Newsroom Staff
• WFYI Press Releases
• Donor Privacy Policy
• FCC Public Inspection Files
• Public Reporting

Visit Indy touts 4th year of record tourism

Every year since Indianapolis hosted the Super Bowl in 2012, the city has seen more visitors who spent more money than the year before, Visit Indy announced Tuesday before a crowd of more than 600 at its annual meeting.

The city's visitors bureau reported a record 28.2 million visitors came to Indianapolis in 2015 and spent $4.9 billion. The new figures break the previous record of 27.4 million visitors and $4.6 billion the year before, according to Pennsylvania consulting firm  Rockport Analytics . In fact, every year since 2012 has been a record year, topping the one before it. 2016 figures won't be available until next year.

"India-no-place? Not a chance," said Chris Gahl, vice president of marketing for Visit Indy. "This city is wide awake."

The tourism industry employs 77,800 people from the Indianapolis area, directing almost half of every dollar spent back to wages, Visit Indy President and CEO Leonard Hoops said. Although those jobs are available to people of all education levels, the hospitality workforce creates opportunities for those without college degrees.

"This industry disproportionately provides roles to those without a four-year degree," Hoops said.

Hoops recapped the past year's accomplishments at the annual meeting. Securing the country's largest gaming convention, Gen Con, through 2021 was a major one. The convention generates $74 million economically each year.

"It came down to Indy versus Chicago for that extension," he said. "I think we did alright there."

Hoops said more hotel rooms were booked than in 2012.

"We beat our Super Bowl year, which is pretty great," he said.

He also touted the Film Indy initiative, an effort to attract filmmakers to shoot in the city's Downtown. In April, the hit NBC show "American Ninja Warrior" filmed at Monument Circle.

"This is an interesting product to sell," Hoops said. "That's free publicity. If we could get more of this, that's better for Indianapolis."

Looking ahead into 2017, Hoops detailed several goals as part of the city's tourism master plan, including:

• Improving Indianapolis' transportation infrastructure.
• Identifying and developing a younger future workforce.
• Developing the former GM stamping plant west of Downtown.
• Finding the best use for the area around the White River.
• Creating an Indianapolis Motor Speedway experience for Downtown visitors.
• Searching for a solution to Circle Centre mall 's decreasing occupancy.

Indianapolis' reputation as a landlocked city without the natural characteristics other cities have is an image Hoops urges the city's residents to help overcome.

"I'm tired of hearing people say that we have no oceans or mountains. Paris has no oceans or mountains," he said. "The only thing Paris has on us is 2,000 years."

Hoops said Indianapolis could be "the Paris of the United States," and Mayor Joe Hogsett echoed his statement.

"The numbers are driven in no small measure by the expansion of the Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium's construction," Hogsett said. "Indianapolis will continue to evolve as a destination city."

Gahl said the 2015 tourism numbers were a bit of a surprise considering the boycotts against Indiana following passage of the state's  controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act . Critics said the law could have been used to discriminate against gays and lesbians. The calls for boycotts subsided after the law was changed later that year.

"It was a relief," Gahl said after the annual meeting, "plus a sense of pride in the midst of a tumultuous 2015 we were able to overcome."

Also at Visit Indy's annual meeting, the Indiana Pacers received the Bill McGowan Leadership Award for the team's half-century commitment to the city.

"The 50 years of the Indiana Pacers were not just basketball," Visit Indy Board of Directors Chairman Michael Browning said. "They, and the Market Square Arena, opened so many opportunities for the growth of Indianapolis."

Call IndyStar reporter Amy Bartner at (317) 444-6752. Follow her on  Facebook ,  Twitter  and  Instagram .

20 new Devour Indy restaurants you haven't tried

Irvington neighbors, developers wrangle over Coal Factory's future

• Solutions for:
• Investment Banking
• Market Research
• Private Equity
• Consultants

VISIT INDY Revenue, Growth & Competitor Profile

• Growth Rate
• VC/Investor Activity
• Competitive Intelligence
• Competition

Premium Company Report

Company awards.

Company Profile & Annual Report for Visit Indy

Visit indy fast facts, visit indy annual revenue and growth rate, visit indy's income statement (based on industry averages), trademark applications, recession risk, u.s. industry overview & market statistics: religious, grantmaking, civic, professional & similar organizations, market share of visit indy's largest competitors, nearby competitors, future competition: visit indy's fastest growing competitors.

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• (0.0044 s)
• © 2024 IncFact.com. All Rights Reserved.

About Indy’s Destination Vision

Indianapolis is a successful destination, home to more than 2 million people and welcoming more than 30 million visitors each year. The Destination Vision is a plan for the Indy region to use travel and tourism for the betterment of our city and its people. Today, more than 84,000 residents rely on jobs supported by the visitor economy to support their families, and these visitors spend $5.8 billion in our local economy, including more than $300 million in local and $500 million in state taxes. The economic impact of travel and tourism is incredibly important for our city, and the Destination Vision is the long-term roadmap for how we can sustain and grow these benefits.

As important as economic benefit is to our city, we believe travel and tourism can do more. If we can be strategic in our investments, we believe travel and tourism can be used to build a city that is more inclusive of all its residents and all of its neighborhoods and places. We believe travel and tourism can be used to overcome social barriers and promote better understanding of one another.

The Destination Vision is a long-range plan that works at the intersection of what residents and visitors both want. Things that benefit people living in our city while improving the experience of people visiting our city.

The Vision is sponsored by Tourism Tomorrow Indy (TTI), the non-profit arm of Visit Indy, the city’s destination marketing/management organization (DMO). Importantly though, the plan is not solely a plan for TTI or Visit Indy. Quite the contrary, the plan is a co-creation plan that relies on alignment of work of many different partners .

Since the first version was released in 2014 as the Tourism Master Plan, the plan has grown and evolved with changing priorities of the community and city leadership and changing forces of travel. Today, the Destination Vision is a dynamic plan that is updated regularly and is supported by a growing research, engagement, and partnership development program.

Indy’s Destination Strengths and Challenges Today

Indy’s tourism drivers today, families and friends.

Visiting friends and relatives (VFR) is the primary reason for leisure travel in almost all destinations, including Indianapolis. People are connecting with their families and visiting friends for celebrations, reunions, holiday-activities, and personal reasons. While visiting, they may partake in attractions, festivals, museums, performances, dining, recreation, sports, and sightseeing options.

Indy’s Arts, Attractions, and Cultural Offerings

Indy’s distinctive portfolio of arts, heritage, cultural, and dining offerings is outstanding. The world’s largest Children’s Museum, the extraordinary art-campus found at Newfields, the world-renowned Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, amazing events such as the International Violin Competition, American Pianists Association Awards, and Heartland Film Festival, legendary residents and the stories of Madam CJ Walker, Kurt Vonnegut, and Benjamin Harrison, craft beer, wine, and spirits, intriguing neighborhoods, and a culinary scene recognized as one of the hottest in the USA, make any visit to Indy memorable.

Conventions and Meetings

Indianapolis is a strong convention and meetings destination considered by many as “boxing above its weight class.” In the convention market, we continue to compete directly with major cities such as Chicago, Denver, New Orleans, Atlanta, among others, for large conventions, trade shows, and events. The recently announced expansion of the Indiana Convention Center and two major hotels on Pan Am Plaza position Indy for continued growth in this highly competitive arena. The new hotels will expand the number of rooms connected to the Convention Center to 6,100, an advantage that no other city can claim.

Festivals and Special Events

Non-sporting events also significantly impact our community from the crowds who attend the Indiana State Fair, to those enjoying Indiana Black Expo, and the talented youth who participate in Music for All and Drum Corps International competitions. Across the nation festivals draw millions of attendees.

Sporting events are a major contributor to our city’s success in attracting visitors. The annual running of the Indianapolis 500, Brickyard 400, and Indy Grand Prix bring millions of dollars in visitor spending each year. Big Ten championships, multiple NCAA events, and the various activities at Grand Park in Hamilton County bring thousands of visitors to our region. The NBA All-Star Weekend (2021) and College Football Playoff National Championship Game (2022) are recent additions to Indy’s impressive sports calendar. Professional sports teams (Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Pacers, Indiana Fever, Indy Eleven, Indianapolis Indians, and Indy Fuel) provide visitors year-round excitement at premier venues.

Outdoor Recreational Experiences

Natural beauty is on display every season in the Indy region. In Indianapolis, White River State Park, Eagle Creek Park, and Ft. Harrison State Park are recreational favorites. Brown County State Park is a magnet for visitors, especially in the fall. The Cultural Trail, Monon Trail, and miles of other trails connect the region and provide superior biking, hiking, and jogging opportunities. Exciting plans are underway for the redevelopment of the White River, spanning two counties and offering new waterway and shoreline experiences.

Businesses and Universities

Indy area universities, colleges, and businesses contribute significantly to visitor demand.  Life sciences, pharma, tech, logistics, agriculture, and many other industries create business visitors coming to Indy for training, meetings, and conventions. Local universities attract new students every year, as well as their friends and family who come to visit.

SIGN UP FOR INDY DESTINATION VISION UPDATES

Tourism Tomorrow Indy 200 South Capitol Avenue, Suite 300 Indianapolis, IN 46225-1063

RFP/RFQ OPPORTUNITIES     CONTACT US     PRIVACY POLICY

• Trip Planner
• Track My Bus
• IndyGo Access
• Rider Guidelines
• Myanmar (Burmese)

Annual Progress Reports

Learn about projects and initiatives that took place throughout the years at IndyGo.

Annual Progress Report 2022

From breaking ground on the Purple Line construction project to receiving the first buses equipped with the Allison eGen Flex TM electric hybrid propulsion system, IndyGo has many projects and initiatives to reflect in 2022. Check out what our teams accomplished and what progress will be made in the future.

Annual Progress Report 2021

From introducing our new MyKey fare system to continuing partnerships throughout Indianapolis, IndyGo has many projects and initiatives to reflect in 2021. Check out what our teams accomplished and what progress will be made in the future.

August 2020 - August 2021 Progress Report

From improving bus stop spacing and operational efficiency to educating riders of what’s to come with the future Purple Line, our team was able to accomplish many projects. Learn more about the progress and achievements made from August 2020 to August 2021.

August 2019 - August 2020 Progress Report

From promoting the launch of Indy’s first BRT, the Red Line, to embarking on challenges of a global pandemic, our team was able to pivot and become stronger than ever before. Learn more about the progress and achievements made from August 2019 to August 2020.

Our Current Projects

Purple Line

Sign Up for the Purple Line Newsletter

Before we get started, we just need a little more information. It will help us get a better understanding of our rider community and the ability to keep serving the great riders of Indianapolis.

Sign Up for the Red Line Construction Newsletter

Sign Up for the Blue Line Newsletter

Request toolkit.

• Name * First Last
• Open for Business yard signage
• Open for Business window cling
• Purple Line print collateral
• Property access map
• Business promotion and advertising
• Request meeting with IndyGo representative
• Request IndyGo representative at community meeting
• Request IndyGo at community event
• Request IndyGo volunteers for a community project

Your browser is not supported for this experience. We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.

Plan a Meeting

Sign up for trip ideas, opportunities to receive prize packs, and more!

THANK YOU TO OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR

The 33rd Annual ROSE Awards

Every spring, Visit Indy rolls out the red carpet at the annual ROSE Awards event honoring non-managerial hospitality employees or volunteers who provide excellent customer service. We invited our partners to nominate up to two employees or volunteers who exemplify service excellence. Nominations for the 33rd Annual ROSE Awards are now closed.

The 33rd Annual ROSE Awards will take place at the Indiana Roof Ballroom on Thursday, May 9. Buy tickets now.

HONOR FRONT LINE SERVICE SUPERSTARS

ROSE is an acronym for Recognition Of Service Excellence. The program shines a light on the waiters, cab drivers, service associates, and other non-managerial hospitality employees that make every Indianapolis visitor feel special. By going beyond the expectations of their job descriptions, these service champions leave lasting impressions that bring true meaning to the phrase “Hoosier Hospitality. ”Every year we gather to honor these goodwill ambassadors at a gala event which is an awards ceremony and, moreover, a celebration of an industry and the people who roll up their sleeves and do their jobs every day with pride in their companies and their city.

If you have questions about ROSE Awards, please contact: Taylor Melangton Events & Communications Manager 317.262.8231 [email protected]

WHAT IT REALLY MEANS

“I feel honored. I feel appreciated. I feel loved. It shows me that people appreciate the things that I do for them. It makes me feel like I am someone important."

Jay Kelley Accent Indy

Your browser is not supported for this experience. We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.

• Partnership
• Indy's Destination Vision
• Privacy Policy

Plan a Meeting

Sign up for trip ideas, opportunities to receive prize packs, and more!

Mass Ave Skyline

This skyline photo and others are available for use in promoting your meeting.

Indy Meetings Marketing Toolkit

Attendance-driving resources for indianapolis meetings.

Driving attendance is key to a successful convention or meeting. Visit Indy makes your job easy by supplying the tools you need to drive excitement about your upcoming Indianapolis event. Browse our extensive photo gallery, download print-ready materials, and review video assets that are made easily available for your use.

Photos & Videos

Media accolades, promotional materials & maps, promotional copy, supplier listings, you might also like, planner insights, indianapolis meeting facilities, planner tools, why meet in indianapolis, submit a meeting rfp.