of leadership in the CVB that they will be there for AAHSA long after the sale, to make sure we are successful. This is criti- cal for me because I’mentrustingmy professional reputation withmy board andmy membership when I book a city. I don’t do that without a strong CVB behind me.” At the end of her site visit, Sullivan

gave Indianapolis a verbal commitment for AAHSA’s 2016 AnnualMeeting. “I can’t think of any other time I’ve done that,” she said, “so that says a lot about Indy and what it has to offer.” Here’s a snapshot of just what Indianapolis has to offer:

‘A Force to Be

The Indianapolis Cultural Trail—a

ReckonedWith’ Indianapolis should be on every- one’s radar for programs of any size. The city has kicked the blocks out from the renovation wagon, and that sucker has left the starting gate and is picking up speed as it rolls downhill. Indy is going to be a force to be reckoned with in the coming years, you mark my words. Chicago, Minneapolis, and Cleveland: You heed my warning. Indy wants your business, and they are coming for it, both barrels blazing with laser sights.

—Keith Johnston, publisher

and founder, PlannerWire and Event Industry Thoughts

THE INDIANA CONVENTION CENTER Thismonth, the doors open at the expanded Indiana Convention Center, which has doubled in size to become the 16th-largest convention center in the country. 566,300 square feet of contiguous exhibit space, 71

meeting rooms, three ballrooms Connected to LucasOil Stadium via climate-controlled

walkway Combined facility offers 749,000 square feet of exhibit

space Dramatic glass-cube entryway is architecturally stun- ning and floods the center with light

‘What ILoveAbout Indy’

We have a safe,walkable, and vibrant downtown filled withmyriad cultural attractions, restaurants and

nightlife options, and parkand recreation choices. It takes less time and money to have a great quality of life in Indy, whether you’re a resident or a visitor. You get big-city living and quality at a small-town price.And when you yearn for something different, we’ve got a handful of other great cities within short

driving distance or an easy direct flight. Hoosiers care and believe in giving back.And we’re big enough to offer lots of options for getting involved, but small enough that individuals can have bold impact.We’re not often going to be the first one to do something new and different, but where we choose to innovate, we do it very, very well.Two cur- rent examples: the downtown Cultural Trail, and 100 Acres: TheVirginia B. Fairbanks Art&Nature Park— one of the largest museum art parks in the country.

Indianapolis resident Jeffrey Cufaude—Convene’s Leading Learning columnist—is a writer, facilitator, consultant, and speaker.

world-class urban bike and pedestrian path that connects neighborhoods, cul- tural districts, and entertainment ameni- ties, and serves as the downtown hub for the entire central Indiana greenway system —runs right outside its doors.

INDIANAPOLIS HOTEL PACKAGE Indianapolis has more hotel rooms con- nected via skywalk—12 hotels, 4,700 rooms —to its convention center than any city in the country. There are 7,100 downtown hotel rooms and 32,000 hotel rooms in the metro area. Twenty-four properties offer 10,000- plus square feet of meeting space, and exist- ing properties have invested more than $70 million in renovation projects.

MARRIOTT PLACE INDIANAPOLIS — FOUR PROPERTIES / FOUR PRICE POINTS $450-million investment 1,624 rooms in total 104,000 square feet ofmeeting space Connected to Indiana Convention Center by climate-

controlled skywalk. 1. JW Marriott Indianapolis — 1,005 rooms, 51 meeting

rooms, 40,500-square-foot ballroom, opening Feb. 2011 2. Courtyard by Marriott — 297 rooms 3. Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott —168 rooms 4. Springhill Suites by Marriott —156 rooms

INDIANAPOLIS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT $1.1-billion airport terminal opened in 2008 Features $4 million in public art Slated to be the first LEED-certified airport to be built

in theUnited States, and the first airport designed and built after Sept. 11.

MORE ATTENDEE-PLEASING FEATURES Dining—200-plus restaurants and bars,many within

walking distance of the Indiana Convention Center Shopping—Circle Centremall spans two city blocks,

offers 100-plus stores, and is connected to the Indiana Convention Center by climate-controlled skywalk Variety—Six designated cultural districts offer locally

owned shopping, dining, and entertainment options TheGreatOutdoors—White River State Park, just

steps from the Indiana Convention Center, offers 250 acres ofmuseums, attractions, and outdoor recreation opportuni- ties along green spaces and the Central Canal History—Second only toWashington,D.C., in its

number of war memorials Sports—Host of Super Bowl XLVI in 2012; home to

the two largest single-day sporting events in the world (Indianapolis 500 and Brickyard 400); home toNCAA; and host ofmore Final Fours than any other city.