INDIANAPOLIS (Jan. 17, 2019) – Governor Eric J. Holcomb and
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett joined other state and city officials, along
with Indiana airport executives today to announce that the state has secured
another successful bid and been selected to host the Routes Americas conference
in February 2020.
“This is truly an exciting day for Indiana as we celebrate landing the
Routes Americas 2020 conference,” said Gov. Holcomb. “Securing this
bid is another step toward increasing Indiana’s connectivity and nonstop
flights as well as a perfect opportunity to showcase Indiana’s growing global
business economy and tourist assets to decision makers across North and South
America.”
Routes Americas is an annual event focused on aviation route development,
convening leading network planners, airports and tourism authorities to discuss
increased air service from airports across North and South America. The
conference is expected to draw 800 delegates representing 80 airlines, 300
airports and 50 tourism authorities, and generate 20 speakers and 2,100
face-to-face meetings Feb. 3-5 of next year in downtown Indianapolis.
“Indianapolis has a reputation for hosting great events, so we are very
excited to be taking the route development community there to experience its
renowned hospitality,” said Steven Small, brand director of Routes.
“It’s an exciting time for our hosts, and we are confident that hosting
Routes Americas 2020 will help them to achieve their ambitions.”
Indianapolis is only the third U.S. city to host Routes Americas, with previous
conferences held in Denver and Las Vegas. Past locations also include Mexico,
Peru, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Colombia, El Salvador, Puerto Rico and
Ecuador, with the 2019 iteration slated for Quebec City, Canada next month.
With competition for the 2020 conference from cities across North and South
America, the collaborative and joint effort between the state of Indiana, city
of Indianapolis, Indianapolis International Airport (IND), Indiana Chamber,
Indy Chamber, Visit Indy, and the state’s regional airports – Evansville
Regional Airport (EVV), Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA) and South Bend
International Airport (SBN) – ultimately contributed to a successful bid.
“Indianapolis is proud to host Routes Americas in 2020,” said Mayor Hogsett.
“This conference allows us to showcase our city to leaders in
the aviation industry, reinforcing Indianapolis’ accessibility and
one-of-a-kind amenities to international attendees. By the time the event is
over, conference goers will see what Indianapolis residents already know – that
our city is a world-class destination to live, work and visit.”
Conference organizers suggested the biggest return on investment for a host is
through increased connectivity. Conference organizers have also stated that on
average, host airport networks had grown by around 9% more than their benchmark
after three years, and that the conference is estimated to have a short-term $2
million local economic impact and $40 million long-term local economic impact.
Routes (a member of Informa’s Aviation Week Network) is focused entirely on
aviation route development, and the company’s portfolio includes events, media
and online businesses. The company organizes and operates world-renowned
airline and airport networking events through its regional and World Route
Development Forums. They are held in key markets throughout the year in Asia,
Europe, Africa and the Americas.
“This is a highly compelling opportunity because it takes years for new
routes and new airlines to come to fruition in a new market, and the Indy
airport is going to be at the epicenter for those relationship connections
during Routes Americas 2020,” said Mario Rodriguez, executive director of
Indianapolis Airport Authority. “Essentially, Routes is like a business
incubator for the aviation industry. Airlines are going to discover they can be
profitable here in Indy, and a lot of people are going to benefit from what
that delivers in new flights, new airlines and new opportunities far beyond
what we’ve achieved to date.”
Gov. Holcomb recently announced his infrastructure
agenda for 2019 which includes a new $1 billion investment in transformational
infrastructure projects. The Next Level Connections program outlines plans to
increase the number of nonstop international flights to and from Indiana.
“Routes Americas has an impact far beyond the
dollars spent by attendees during the course of the event,” said Leonard
Hoops, president and CEO of Visit Indy. “It allows us to show off our
city, state, and award-winning airport to route development professionals who
have the ability to launch new flights to and from Indy and other Indiana
airports. There is an art and science to air route development and hosting this
show helps influencers better understand not just existing route demand but the
bigger picture of potential route demand.”
The mission of Visit Indy is to increase Indianapolis economic growth by
strategically selling the destination to conventions, meetings, events and
leisure travelers. According to Rockport Analytics, 28.2 million visitors
provide $4.9 billion in total economic impact annually, generate 77,800
full-time equivalent jobs in central Indiana and provide $1.1 billion in tax
revenues. In addition to Routes Americas, Indianapolis will also host the Big
Ten Men’s Basketball Championship, Indianapolis 500, NASCAR Brickyard 400 and
Big Ten Football Championship in 2020.
About Routes
Routes, a member of Informa’s
Aviation Week Network, is focused entirely on aviation route development, and
the company’s portfolio includes events, media and online businesses. The
company organizes and operates world-renowned airline and airport networking
events through its regional World Route Development Forums. They are held in
key markets throughout the year in Asia, Europe and the Americas.
About IEDC
The Indiana Economic
Development Corporation (IEDC) leads the state of Indiana’s economic
development efforts, helping businesses launch, grow and locate in the state.
Governed by a 15-member board chaired by Governor Eric J. Holcomb, the IEDC
manages many initiatives, including performance-based tax credits, workforce
training grants, innovation and entrepreneurship resources, public
infrastructure assistance, and talent attraction and retention efforts. For
more information about the IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.
