Updated Contract with Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association Keeps IMIS in Indianapolis Indefinitely

INDIANAPOLIS, July 21, 2010: After substantial growth following the inaugural International Motorsports Industry Show (IMIS) last year in Indianapolis, officials from IMIS and the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association (ICVA) have announced an unprecedented agreement to keep the show in Indianapolis indefinitely.

After an original two-year contract for 2009-2010, officials from IMIS and the ICVA announced a contract extension through 2015 during the event’s welcome reception last December. Today’s updated agreement will keep IMIS in Indianapolis through the life of its convention. IMIS generates more than $15.9 million in direct visitor spending annually for the City of Indianapolis.

The inaugural IMIS (December 2009) drew more than 10,000 attendees from around the globe, in addition to 345 exhibitors and a sold-out trade show. Due to demand, IMIS officials have doubled the space they will lease in the Indiana Convention Center, anticipating more than 20,000 attendees and 575 exhibitors at this year’s show, scheduled for Dec. 1-3.

“It’s only fitting for the ‘Racing Capital of the World’ to permanently host the premier racing industry trade show – a show that brings together the entire global motorsports business,” said Don Welsh, ICVA president and CEO. “Our entire hospitality community is extremely thankful to the IMIS ownership for their commitment and confidence in Indianapolis. It is extremely rare for a convention this size to make this type of commitment to a city.”

The Indianapolis-based show is owned by Chris Paulsen of C&R Racing, Tom Weisenbach, executive director of the Indiana Motorsports Association (IMA), Jeff Stoops, president of Stoops Freightliner and two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion and Indiana resident, Tony Stewart.

“The entire IMIS team is ecstatic to call Indianapolis our permanent home,” Weisenbach said. “The city’s burgeoning facilities, first-class hospitality community, and racing-minded culture make this a perfect fit. After shattering our projections for our inaugural show in 2009 and overwhelming, positive feedback from attendees, we’re confident in this deliberate decision to keep our show in Indianapolis.”