Indy has successfully hosted 295 live events with combined attendance of over 1,070,000 - which included the entire NCAA Men's March Madness Tournament in 2021. From the Indiana Convention Center to hotels, Indy has fine tuned hosting safe events throughout the pandemic, and our team can guide you each step of the way.
Ten Reasons You Can Confidently Book Indy
- Destination Appeal: Condé Nast Traveler, TIME Magazine, and Travel + Leisure scoured the globe and named Indy to their list of ‘Best Places to Go in 2021’. From the opening of the new Bottleworks District to the opening of the immersive art experience, THE LUME, these top publications know best. They chose Indy. Now, it's your turn.
- Task Force in Action: As soon as the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Visit Indy gathered 63 city leaders and hospitality employees across all sectors to work diligently towards a Hoosier Hospitality Promise to our visitors. This Task Force meets regularly to ensure every step is being taken towards a safe and healthy environment.
- Hospital-Grade Filters: In March of 2020, the Indiana Convention Center installed hospital-grade filtration systems and have been running the system daily. In fact, the center received NAFA's 2020 and 2021 Clean Air Award for leadership and excellence in air filtration.
- Drivability: Indy is within a day’s drive of more than half of the nation’s population, making it one of America’s most drivable cities. Research shows travelers will be more comfortable taking a road trip before boarding a plane.
- Walkability: With 4,700 rooms connected to the Indiana Convention Center and over 7,500 rooms in the downtown core, your attendees can safely walk to their meeting destination without having to employ shuttles.
- Hybrid Meetings. Indy was the first city to offer a citywide AV and WiFi discount for hybrid meetings. Additionally, our on-staff Digital Event Strategist is ready to serve as your hybrid concierge.
- Outdoor Venues: We know there is perceived safety in being outdoors. Fortunately, Indy is home to numerous outdoor venues within walking distance from our downtown convention package – White River State Park and their new Lawn amphitheater, Monument Circle, Indianapolis Zoo’s White River Gardens, Chef JJ’s Rooftop Terrace, or even the Georgia Street promenade immediately outside the Convention Center.
- Employee Training: A new 2020 Super Service training program committed to the Hoosier Hospitality Promise has been launched for hospitality employees across all sectors.
- Making Headlines: The Indiana Convention Center has been named to EXHIBITOR Magazine's 2021 and 2022 Centers of Excellence list. This honor is given to the top convention centers in North America.
- You Make an Impact: 83,000 men and women in Indy depend on tourism for a paycheck. When travel came to a screeching halt, our industry nationwide immediately felt the void of no visitors. Let’s rebuild the #1 Convention City in the U.S. (USA Today)
Indy is open and we'd love to host your next event. Now is the time to submit your RFP for flexible rates and dates.
REOPENING GUIDELINES
As of July 2021, the city has lifted the mask mandate, previously requiring residents and visitors to wear masks in any indoor or outdoor space. Masks are no longer required in Marion County except at airports and while using public transportation. Private businesses have the right to request to wearing of masks for guests; check with individual businesses on their mask-wearing policy.
The Indiana Convention Center invested over $7 million in health and safety enhancements including hospital-grade filtration systems, contactless faucets and toilets, increased hand sanitizer stations, Plexiglas shields at information desks and food and beverage stations, and more. In fact, the industry is taking notice as the Indiana Convention Center was just named for the second time a Center for Excellence by EXHIBITOR Magazine and again received the Clear Air Award by the National Air Filtration Association. For more information, click here.
The building utilizes a Clorox 360 cleaning process that kills 99.9 percent of bacteria in five seconds and can cover 18,000 square feet of space in an hour. With this new process, it will be ever so important to work together to understand your conference schedule so that the building’s team can consistently employ this cleaning mechanism.
The Indiana Convention Center has achieved the Global Biorisk Advisory Council certification (GBAC).
Indy is home to the #1 Airport in North America for nine years in a row, according to Airports Council International and Condé Nast Traveler. Airports Council International has certified the Indianapolis International Airport (IND) with its Airport Health Accreditation.
IND Airport is taking the following measures to help protect the traveling public and fulfill their Hoosier Hospitality Promise:
- Face masks must be worn at the airport, in accordance with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requirement through March 18, 2022. Complimentary masks are available at the Guest Services desk.
- Local company, JFI Medical, is offering COVID-19 testing onsite at the Indianapolis International Airport in the Baggage Claim area. This optional testing is available to the traveling public and airport employees. Pre-registration is required.
- Using a multipurpose cleaner, degreaser, and sanitizer to clean and disinfect every restroom surface from doorknobs to diaper changing stations in public-facing restrooms on an hourly basis. Kivac machines are also utilized daily with a hospital-grade disinfectant.
- Hand sanitizing stations are located throughout the terminal (pre- and post-security and the Ground Transportation Center). More hand sanitizing stations have been added in the public areas.
- In locations where travelers congregate, IND is conducting extra cleaning, including the Civic Plaza food court seating area, visitor seating area, airline gate seating areas, and baggage claim.
For more information, please visit: www.ind.com/covid19
Indy is home to many independent and global hotel brands, however all hotels are working together to implement a global brand promise, in addition to our Hoosier Hospitality Promise standards.
For more information on global brand cleanliness standards, please click on the links below.
Drury Hotels
Drury Travel Happy Again
Hyatt Hotels
Global Care and Cleanliness Commitment
Hilton Hotels
CleanStay with Lysol Protection Program
Intercontinental Hotels
Clean Promise
Marriott Hotels
Marriott Cleanliness Council
Omni Hotels
Omni Safe & Clean Initiative
Wyndham Hotels
Count On Us Health and Safety Protocols
Indianapolis hotels have made the Hoosier Hospitality Promise. To learn more, click here.
Indy is home to numerous award-winning, family-friendly attractions. These cultural institutions are open at 100% capacity.
Indianapolis attractions have made the Hoosier Hospitality Promise. To learn more, click here.
Indianapolis restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and other entertainment venues are open at 100% capacity.
It is recommended that you check with each restaurant’s website prior to arrival to ensure they’ve moved from a carry-out only to in-restaurant dining.
Indianapolis restaurants have made the Hoosier Hospitality Promise. To learn more, click here.
Both ride sharing platforms continue to operate in Indy under new safety guidelines. Masks are required on public transportation. IndyGo’s Red Line mass transit system is also back to operating under their regular schedule, while following these safety measures for riders.
Before riding with Uber or Lyft, you must agree that you’ll wear a face mask as required by federal order, are symptom-free, and will follow CDC guidance related to COVID-19. For more information, click here.
Pacers Bikeshare and scooter services are also available for convention attendees.
Shopping malls and retail stores are open at 100% capacity.