The 13th largest city in the U.S. is racing ahead of its first-tier competition with more than $3 billion in new tourism-related projects coming online by the time Indianapolis hosts the Super Bowl in 2012.

All are being driven by demand.

Already open is the multi-purpose Lucas Oil Stadium (63,000 seats and 183,000 sq. ft of exhibition space), the permanent home for the NFL Colts, the NCAA Men’s Final Four this year, the NCAA Women’s Final Four in 2011, and the Super Bowl in 2012—not to mention the NCAA
Men’s Final Four again in 2015.

Also new and open, the $1.1 billion Weir Cook Terminal at Indianapolis International Airport—the first designed and built post 9/11 and slated to become the largest LEED certified building in the Midwest.

The hallmark of the expansion projects is the doubling in size of the Indiana Convention Center. The expansion will open in February 2011.

“Our center’s expansion will catapult Indianapolis from the 32nd to the 16th largest facility in the U.S.,” said Don Welsh, president & CEO of the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association.

By itself, the expanded Indiana Convention Center will have 566,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space, 83 meeting rooms (127,000 sq. ft), and three ballrooms (60,500 sq. ft.)

It will also be connected by climate-controlled walkway to Lucas Oil Stadium and 4,700 hotel rooms—the most hotel rooms connected to any center in the U.S.

The expansion is raising new interest in Indianapolis, attracting groups such as the American
Library Association, which will convene in 2021. It is also luring back groups that outgrew Indianapolis.

After years in Indianapolis, Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) literally outgrew the Indiana Convention Center and was forced to move in 2005. With the expansion complete, CEDIA will return for 2011 and 2012.

“When CEDIA left, it was one of the city’s top three tradeshows,” said Welsh. “Their return is a perfect example of why we are expanding the center.”

Supporting this new convention infrastructure is another integral spoke in the city’s expanding wheel, the new $450 million Marriott Place Indianapolis hotel complex.

Totaling 1,626 rooms, it is one of the only a few hotel projects in the U.S. moving forward in this sluggish economy.

The inventory will consist of 1,005 rooms in the JW Marriott Downtown Indianapolis; 297 rooms in the Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Indianapolis; 168 rooms in the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Downtown; and 156 rooms in the Indianapolis SpringHill Suites by Marriott.

Additionally, the JW Marriott will boast of 104,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space, including its 41,000 sq. ft. grand ballroom – the largest ballroom in the state of Indiana and the largest hotel ballroom in the Midwest.

Construction of the entire project will be complete by February 2011—concurrent with the Indiana Convention Center project. Three out of the four hotels of this unique project are already open, with the JW Marriot (the world’s largest) nearing completion.

Also under construction, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail will connect the city’s six cultural districts via an eight mile urban bike and pedestrian path. This will allow further walkability for delegates, by bringing them to the front door of nearly every arts, cultural, heritage, sports and
entertainment venue downtown.

Visitors can rent bikes and maps will outline attractions to stop and see along the way. Public art and eco-friendly landscaping will give this “green” trail a true green feeling.

Through the construction dust, one thing that hasn’t changed in Indianapolis is its convenience. With more than 7,100 hotel rooms, 200 restaurants and 50 major attractions within walking distance of the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, getting around the city is easy.

One hidden secret for planners to keep in mind: take IndyGo’s “Green Line” from the airport to downtown. Step outside baggage claim and make the easy 15 minute commute to your hotel for only $7. Group discounts are also available for planners.

To learn more about the Indiana Convention Center expansion and the 13th largest city in the nation, go to www.visitindy.com.