Convention Center Expansion Keeps Gen Con in Indy
Gen Con takes place at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium.
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowOne of the state’s largest conventions will stay in Indianapolis for at least another year. Gen Con LLC has extended its agreement to hold the popular gaming event in downtown Indianapolis through 2023. Visit Indy Vice President Chris Gahl says the city’s plan to expand the Indiana Convention Center and add two new hotels played a major factor in the decision.
"News of the city adding 1,400 new hotel rooms connecting into an expanding Indiana Convention Center was critically important to retaining Gen Con and renewing this key convention through 2023," Gahl said in a statement to Inside INdiana Business.
Representatives from Gen Con have not responded to a request for comment on the decision. In February, Gen Con announced it had extended its agreement to stay in Indy through 2022.
The announcement comes on the heels of another successful year for Gen Con in 2018, which saw record four-day badge sales and generated $70 million in economic impact for the city. The event saw more than 60,000 unique attendees this year.
The news of the convention center expansion and new hotels could also play a factor in keeping another major convention in downtown Indy. The National FFA Organization says Indianapolis is on the short list to continue hosting its national convention past 2024. Chief Executive Officer Mark Poeschl will appear this weekend on Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick to talk about this year’s convention and plans for the future.