IND Leader: ‘Yes,’ Air Conference Will Bring More Flights
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowAn organizer of a major air conference coming to Indianapolis next year says the city was chosen in a competitive bidding process because of its "great airport, great connectivity and great potential for new routes." Gareth Vaguley says, after nearly every Routes Americas conference, the host city’s airport expands route options or attracts new destinations, normally within a year. Indy will host the event, which will bring about 800 representatives from airlines, airports and tourism organizations, in 2020.
During interviews with Inside INdiana Business Reporter Mary-Rachel Redman, Vaguley and Indianapolis Airport Authority Executive Director Mario Rodriguez said the conference will likely lead to new flights at IND.
Rodriguez says Routes Americas will allow hundreds of industry reps from throughout North and South America to Indianapolis. He says, right now, many of them only "understand (Indianapolis) through numbers." After the conference, Rodriguez says industry leaders will know Indianapolis "in a very, very deep and meaningful way."
Routes Americas 2020 is set for February 3-5 in downtown Indianapolis. In addition to one-on-one meetings between representatives from airports and travel destinations, it offers networking and social opportunities for attendees. Organizers estimate the event will have a short-term local economic impact of $2 million, and a long-term impact of $40 million.
This year’s event is in Quebec City, Canada from February 12-14. A delegation from Indianapolis will attend the conference.