WNBA All-Star Game, Indiana Black Expo bring estimated 70,000 people to Indy
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — City leaders estimate that WNBA All-Star Game and the Indiana Black Expo drew more than 70,000 people to the Circle City this weekend for a nearly $10 million economic impact.
Saturday’s WNBA All-Star Game was sold out, with nearly 17,000 people packing Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Additionally, the Indiana Black Expo expects about 88,000 people to attend their 20-day event.
Events like this are what’s making the city a hotspot for hosting and the rest of the world is noticing.
If you search the word “Indianapolis” on LinkedIn, you’ll find countless posts from companies hiring, brands moving to the Circle City, and young professionals launching their lives in the city.
But, there’s something new the search populating. It’s the inaugural list of “cities on the rise” and Indianapolis is on it.
It’s an accolade that’s flattering to city leaders, but not surprising.
“This has become pretty normal for Indy, and it’s been pretty amazing to see things, just about every other weekend starting at the beginning of the year,” Indy Chamber Vice President of Marketing and Communications Joe Pellman said.
This weekend, it’s the all-star game in tandem with the expo, highlighting the growth. Pellman said there’s no other city that could pull both off simultaneously and seamlessly.
“This weekend is really the result of Indy’s two superpowers, which are speed and collaboration, but now with the WNBA All-Star game married with Indiana Black Expo, I mean, what an amazing opportunity to combine two major events in our downtown core, and also across pollinate those things across the arts across culture,” Pellman said.
To make the new LinkedIn list, you’ve got to offer more than just play. The company analyzed hiring data and home prices to sift through what spots around the U.S. are emerging the fastest.
Pellman says they’ve implemented key tools to make Indy a great fit for work and life.
“We built something called lifeinindy.com. That connects people to a group who we call Indy-fluencers, who are charged with meeting one-on-one with potential residents or those who have moved here and want a little deeper connection to the community,” Pellman said.
It’s not just people connecting with the Indy community, brands are clamoring to bring business here, and what was especially clear this weekend.
“We love that so many different brands have created new experiences in downtown, especially, Nike, Gatorade, Coach, a variety of really major brands that are not only showcasing Indy to the rest of the country, but showcasing it to the world,” Pellman said.
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