Gen Con, the largest and longest-running game convention in North America, has agreed to extend its commitment to Indianapolis through 2023. Prompted by the announcement of construction of two new hotels connected to the convention center, Gen Con added an additional year to its deal.
“New hotel developments, along with Indy’s desire for technological upgrades, have made our decision to extend with Indianapolis an easy choice, We’re enthusiastic to extend our contract with Indy until 2023, as this new hotel development is a game-changer for Gen Con and will allow us to continue our record-breaking expansion. We’d like to thank the Indy CIB, Mayor Hogsett and his team, the hard-working folks at Visit Indy, and the business leaders of Indianapolis for their continued foresight and commitment to making Indy the top destination for conventions in North America.” David Hoppe, Gen Con President
The Capital Improvement Board of Indianapolis on Friday announced its plans to transform Pan Am Plaza with a $120 million, publicly funded building that will house a 50,000-square foot ballroom and new meeting space connected by skywalk to the Indiana Convention Center. The expansion would also connect to two Hilton-brand hotels, which would be developed privately by Kite Realty on the same block.
Setting a new attendance record in 2018, the convention surpassed 60,000 unique attendees over its four days. Gen Con 2018 featured more than 520 game companies, more than 600 new games, 17,000 ticketed events, and a significant increase in programming in Lucas Oil Stadium. The convention plans to continue its development of Lucas Oil Stadium as a new hub of convention growth.
“When the JW Marriott Indianapolis opened in 2011, our convention was able to expand and support a record number of guests, which at the time was about 37,000 attendees, Now, seven years later, Gen Con has nearly doubled in attendance, and we’re confident that the newly announced lodging additions in Indy will let us expand again, netting millions of dollars per year in new economic development for Indianapolis.” David Hoppe, Gen Con President
Gen Con will return to Indianapolis August 1-4, 2019.
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