Indiana Convention Center
Encyclopedia
The Indiana Convention Center is a convention center located in Downtown
Indianapolis, Indiana
. It contains over 400000 square feet (37,161.2 m²) of open exhibit space and almost 140000 square feet (13,006.4 m²) of group meeting space. It was finished in late 1983 along with the Hoosier Dome (later named the RCA Dome
), which it was connected to prior the Dome's deconstruction in 2008. The combined cost was around $82 million. Half of the funds were private and the other half were public (taxpayer). In total, there are 48 meeting rooms and multiple food courts.
First, the Lucas Oil Stadium
was constructed adjacent to the convention center. It opened in August of 2008. The stadium offers 183000 sq ft (17,001.3 m²) of exhibition space, 13000 sq ft (1,207.7 m²) of meeting rooms, and 15000 square feet (1,393.5 m²) of pre-event space.
Next, the old home of the Indianapolis Colts
, the RCA Dome
, was demolished and removed. The iconic air-lifted dome was deflated and the implosion of the stadium was completed in December of 2008. On this site, a new two-story convention center building is being constructed. This facility will offer 254000 sq ft (23,597.4 m²) of exhibit space, 63000 sq ft (5,852.9 m²) of meeting rooms, 103000 sq ft (9,569 m²) of pre-exhibit space, and a 31000 sq ft (2,880 m²) plaza.
When completed, the expanded Indiana Convention Center will possess over 1230000 square feet (114,270.7 m²) of space for convention/meeting uses. It is anticipated that the expansion will be complete in January of 2011. Ratio Architects, Inc. is the lead architect for
the Convention Center Expansion, assisted by other Indiana firms, BSA LifeStructures
, Blackburn
Architects and Domain Architecture Inc. Indianapolis headquartered Shiel Sexton Co. Inc. is the lead construction manager, in association with Powers & Sons Construction Company Inc.
Downtown Indianapolis
The term Downtown Indianapolis refers to the central business district of Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. The boundaries of downtown Indianapolis have varied over time as the city has grown. The city's original platted area, the Mile Square, is sometimes used to denote the downtown area...
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
. It contains over 400000 square feet (37,161.2 m²) of open exhibit space and almost 140000 square feet (13,006.4 m²) of group meeting space. It was finished in late 1983 along with the Hoosier Dome (later named the RCA Dome
RCA Dome
RCA Dome was a domed stadium, located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and the home of the Indianapolis Colts NFL franchise for 24 seasons ....
), which it was connected to prior the Dome's deconstruction in 2008. The combined cost was around $82 million. Half of the funds were private and the other half were public (taxpayer). In total, there are 48 meeting rooms and multiple food courts.
Convention Center Expansion
A major expansion to the Indiana Convention Center is currently underway. This is the fourth expansion to the convention center since it opened in 1972.First, the Lucas Oil Stadium
Lucas Oil Stadium
Lucas Oil Stadium is a multi-purpose sports stadium in Downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. The stadium celebrated its grand opening on August 24, 2008, and its ribbon-cutting ceremony August 16, 2008. It replaced the RCA Dome as the home field of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts. The stadium was built to...
was constructed adjacent to the convention center. It opened in August of 2008. The stadium offers 183000 sq ft (17,001.3 m²) of exhibition space, 13000 sq ft (1,207.7 m²) of meeting rooms, and 15000 square feet (1,393.5 m²) of pre-event space.
Next, the old home of the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
, the RCA Dome
RCA Dome
RCA Dome was a domed stadium, located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and the home of the Indianapolis Colts NFL franchise for 24 seasons ....
, was demolished and removed. The iconic air-lifted dome was deflated and the implosion of the stadium was completed in December of 2008. On this site, a new two-story convention center building is being constructed. This facility will offer 254000 sq ft (23,597.4 m²) of exhibit space, 63000 sq ft (5,852.9 m²) of meeting rooms, 103000 sq ft (9,569 m²) of pre-exhibit space, and a 31000 sq ft (2,880 m²) plaza.
When completed, the expanded Indiana Convention Center will possess over 1230000 square feet (114,270.7 m²) of space for convention/meeting uses. It is anticipated that the expansion will be complete in January of 2011. Ratio Architects, Inc. is the lead architect for
the Convention Center Expansion, assisted by other Indiana firms, BSA LifeStructures
BSA LifeStructures
' is an international architectural and engineering firm headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The firm currently has offices in Chicago, Indianapolis and St...
, Blackburn
Architects and Domain Architecture Inc. Indianapolis headquartered Shiel Sexton Co. Inc. is the lead construction manager, in association with Powers & Sons Construction Company Inc.
Notable Conventions
The Indiana Convention Center has been the host to a large variety of meetings and conventions. These include:- Star Wars CelebrationStar Wars CelebrationStar Wars Celebration is a fan gathering to celebrate the release of a Star Wars franchise movie. It all began in 1999, when Lucasfilm held the Star Wars Celebration in Denver, Colorado to celebrate the upcoming release of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace...
II and III - It brought over 30,000 loyal Star WarsStar WarsStar Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
fans to Indianapolis, including George LucasGeorge LucasGeorge Walton Lucas, Jr. is an American film producer, screenwriter, and director, and entrepreneur. He is the founder, chairman and chief executive of Lucasfilm. He is best known as the creator of the space opera franchise Star Wars and the archaeologist-adventurer character Indiana Jones...
, Hayden ChristensenHayden ChristensenHayden Christensen is a Canadian actor. He appeared in Canadian television programs when he was young, then diversified into American television in the late 1990s. He moved on to minor acting roles before being praised for his role of Sam in Life as a House, for which he was nominated for a Golden...
, Peter MayhewPeter MayhewPeter Mayhew is an English actor known for playing the Wookiee Chewbacca in the Star Wars movies. His peak height was tall.-Career:...
, and many other members of the Star Wars cast and crew. Celebration III was April 21-24, 2005. - Gen ConGen ConGen Con is one of the largest and most prominent annual gaming conventions in North America. It features traditional pen-and-paper, board, and card-style games, including role-playing games, miniatures wargames, board games, live action role-playing games, collectible card games, non-collectible...
- One of the largest and most prominent gaming conventions in North America. It moved to Indianapolis in 2003 and occurs in August. In 2011, Gen Con saw over 36,000 unique attendees. - National FFANational FFA OrganizationThe National FFA Organization is an American youth organization known as a Career and Technical Student Organization, based on middle and high school classes that promote and support agricultural education...
convention - First time in Indianapolis is October 25-28, 2006 and will be there every year up to 2012. This convention attracts around 50,000 FFA members to the city. - The Indiana Convention center was also the site of the boxing competitions in the 1987 Pan American Games1987 Pan American GamesThe 1987 Pan American Games, officially known as the X Pan American Games, was a major international multi-sport event which was celebrated in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, from 7 August to 23 August 1987. Over 4,300 athletes from 38 countries in the Americas competed in 30 sports earning...
in Indianapolis. - The Indiana Convention Center was the site of the 1980 General Conference of the United Methodist Church as well as the 1972 North Central Jursidictional Conference.
External links
- Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium
- The Indiana Convention Center is located at 39°45′55"N 86°9′45"W