The New dmo Visit Indy

The complete package from the CVB to the convention center

Indianapolis is no stranger to hosting large events. Last year, Lucas Oil Stadium hosted Super Bowl XLVI, and every year hundreds of thousands of visitors converge on Indianapo- lis for the world’s two largest single-day sport- ing events — the Indianapolis 500 and the Brickyard 400. With events like these under their belt, the Visit Indy team has become a finely tuned machine when it comes to help- ing plan meetings, conventions, and events. In fact, Visit Indy’s staff of seasoned profes- sionals has more than 600 years of experi- ence as well as a network of thousands of local suppliers at their disposal. So whether it’s building a mobile app, arranging transpor-

tation, or conducting site inspections, Visit Indy is a one-stop shop. Especially helpful for groups meeting in

Indianapolis for the first time, Visit Indy’s meet- ings-dedicated communications specialist can assist with a multitude of needs pertaining to attendance building, marketing, and public relations. Visit Indy’s full-service, in-house marketing and communications team can also assist with graphic design, web content, video production, social media, and more. “Our team is dedicated to helping plan-

ners drive attendance to their meetings and events held in Indianapolis,” said Michelle Tra- vis, senior vice president of sales for Visit Indy.

New discoveries Indianapolis’ five downtown cultural districts offer diverse neighborhoods filled with dining, shopping, nightlife, and attractions, such as the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Monument Circle. The new $63-million Cultural Trail connects them all.

“We know building awareness and excitement about the destination is a crucial component of a successful meeting for all planners.” The CVB is also in the process of revamp-

ing its planner toolkit, which will be filled with helpful marketing tools and ready-to-go pro- motional materials, including photos and videos, promotional verbiage and content, visitor guides, brochures, and other destina- tion collateral.

For more information: Visit Indy — Michelle Travis, Senior Vice President of Sales; (317) 262-8211; mtravis@visitindy.com; visitindy.com

AT A GLANCE Visit Indy services • Online planner toolkit, attendee concierge booths, VIP and spouse programs, a meetings-dedicated communications specialist, and much more

Convention facilities • Combined, the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium offer 749,000 square feet of exhibit space under one roof.

Hotel rooms

• 7,100 downtown hotel rooms, 4,700 of which are connected via skywalk to the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium

Big investment Indianapolis has recently invested $3 billion in convention- and tourism-related infrastructure, including doubling the size of the Indiana Convention Center, building a LEED-certified airport, creating a three- block outdoor event plaza, and constructing the world’s largest JW Marriott.

94 PCMA CONVENE APRIL 2013

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