Hospitality Roundtable

Cindy Hoye, Executive Director, Indiana State Fair Commission

Optimism is in the air!  Our group felt truly a sense of pride in the marketable and treasured assets in Indianapolis and the entire state of Indiana.  Coupled with pride in the successful endeavors of the leadership in Indianapolis, all of us were honored to be at the enviable table on June 15.

Thanks to Ice Miller and Gerry Dick, we spent an evening comparing future trends, growth challenges and current findings in the tourism industry. And while obstacles were identified, I think we all prefer to relish in our “glimmers of hope” recently seen and have been forecasted for the immediate future. One such notable sign can be seen in the Fairgrounds’ user groups. From a blockbuster Car Auction this May to signs of our public and consumer show visitors do have confidence, attending events and enjoying themselves.  We are seeing the end-users back to “opening their wallets” with a sense of more security about the economy.  The planning and preparation for this year’s State Fair, the largest, most attended and oldest event in Indiana, speaks to the overall experience, which includes the need for entertainment value and understanding customers are making strategic choices for their time and discretionary funds.

Do we all have challenges? Absolutely.  The challenges may remain in the forefront of continued growth. However, given the creativity, passion and dedication in all aspects of the tourism industry…we are destined to be rock solid in Indiana!