Indiana is recovering its tourism industry from the pandemic faster than most other states. Gen Con, which wrapped up this weekend in Indianapolis, is one example of how large conventions have come back to the state, in full.

“At the height of the pandemic we lost more than $500 million worth of convention business, hotels virtually empty and about 40 percent of our tourism workforce no longer able to earn a paycheck,” recounted Chris Gahl, senior vice president of Marketing for Visit Indy, to Inside Indiana Business. “It was devastating.”

But, Gahl said last year no other city in the country hosted more live events and conventions than Indianapolis. He had that number at 255.

“That helped create a pathway for us to be stronger and quicker to recover than most major cities,” said Gahl.

Gahl said one reason conventions were okay with coming back was $7 million in safety upgrades to the Indiana Convention Center. Another was Indy hosting March Madness in its entirety.

“The NCAA’s confidence in Indianapolis, the Indiana Sports Corps, and city and state government forging ahead, that put all eyes on Indianapolis and validated this idea that we could safely host complex events during a pandemic.”

Gahl said Indiana’ is now in a better position to be completely recovered.

“Initially we thought 2024 we’d be fully recovered. Yet, because of those events, because of our traction, because of events like Gen Con, we’re pacing to probably, early in ’23, be 100 percent recovered, if not by the end of this year,” he said.

Gahl also told IIB that Indiana will be competitive for retaining the NFL Combine and other NFL events, possibly the Draft.