Indy Press

INDIANAPOLIS – Performance Racing Industry (PRI), one of Indianapolis’ largest trade shows, which left the city after 2004 because it had outgrown the available space in the Indiana Convention Center, will not return.

Officials from PRI and the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association (ICVA) confirmed Friday that continued growth of the show since it moved to Orlando in 2005 will prevent it from coming back to Indianapolis even after the expansion of the Indiana Convention Center is completed in 2010.

“I want to emphasize that (Indianapolis) has done nothing wrong,” said PRI Producer Steve Lewis. “On the contrary, everything in Indianapolis – from the city to the facility to the hospitality to the hotels – was perfect in the time we were there. “The only factor in this decision is size.”

PRI and the ICVA had a letter of agreement that the show, which was held in Indianapolis from 1998 through 2004, would return annually post-expansion from 2011-2013. Visitor spending from the last PRI in Indianapolis in 2004 was estimated at $26.6 million.

However, since moving to Orlando, PRI space demands have exceeded one million square feet. The expansion of the Indiana Convention Center, which includes exhibit space in Lucas Oil Stadium, will total about 750,000 square feet.

“We fully understood that our agreement with PRI to return after expansion was never an iron-clad guarantee,” said Bob Bedell, president and CEO of the ICVA. “The agreement was well intended and in good faith for both parties. However, the growth of Steve’s show has simply exceeded his expectations as well as ours. We both worked hard to find a creative solution to handle the expanded show but it just didn’t work out.”

Trade show attendance grew from 25,000 to 39,000 during its years in Indianapolis. In Orlando, attendance has surpassed 40,000 and continues to grow. “We came to a simple mathematical conclusion that we just can’t fit in Indianapolis,” said Lewis. “On the one hand, we’re pleased with our success. But, on the other hand, it’s frustrating because it inhibited our ability to return. For me personally, it’s a loss. I made a lot of friendships in Indianapolis and have great familiarity with the community. There’s a sincere element of sadness on my part not being able to come back.”

Bedell pointed out that Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) and Dealer Expo are staying in Indianapolis through construction and post-expansion. The ICVA also is booking several groups because of the expanded space, including the National Truck Equipment Association and the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministries.

Overall, because of the expanded Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, the ICVA has booked 70 groups with an anticipated attendance of 1.5 million and an estimated spending of $931.9 million from 2011 and beyond. “While we regret losing any business, there’s no question expansion was not only necessary, but will result in Indianapolis’ continued growth and success in booking trade shows, conventions and meetings,” said Bedell.

About ICVA
The mission of the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association is to advance Indianapolis tourism and economic growth. The ICVA seeks to increase the number of visitors and their financial impact, expand positive perception of Indianapolis and positively influence the visitor experience. According to a Global Insight report, in partnership with D.K. Shiffllet & Associates, 21.9 million visitors annually provide $3.56 billion in total annual economic impact of tourism on the Indianapolis economy resulting in 66,621 full-time equivalent employment positions in the hospitality industry.

About PRI
The PRI Trade Show is the world’s largest hardcore racing trade show, and one of the top 50 largest trade shows in North America. With more than 45,000 racing industry entrepreneurs in attendance from 45 countries, the three-day PRI Trade Show is timed so that racing retailers, engine and car builders, wholesaler/distributors, professional race teams and other industry participants can shop the latest new product introductions and have them in inventory for the next racing season.

Contacts:

ICVA: Bob Schultz, (317) 639-4772; bschultz@indianapolis.org
PRI: Pete Evanow, (714) 305-8083, pevanow@performanceracing.com