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Indianapolis might not be the first place you think of when the phrase “cultural diversity” comes up, but maybe it should be - especially when you’re talking about major special events. After all, how many cities have been annually welcoming visitors from all over the country and the world for almost 100 years with events like the Indianapolis 500?

The city has earned the title of “Amateur Sports Capital of the World” by hosting a continual stream of national and international sporting events thanks to a non-stop downtown revitalization plan that started in the 1970s. From the Pan Am Games to Olympic Trials to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four, Indy has had it… several times. And every event draws a culturally diverse crowd that loves spending time in our city.

Indy’s six distinct cultural districts (Broad Ripple Village, Fountain Square, The Canal and White River State Park, Mass Ave. Arts & Theater District, Wholesale District and Indiana Avenue) offer appealing dining, entertainment and recreation options for everyone from everywhere. If you can’t find something in Indy that makes you feel at home, you’re not looking very hard.

As executive director of the Indiana State Fairgrounds, central Indiana’s top tourist destination located just 10 minutes northeast of downtown, I get to see people from all walks of life gather regularly for events like the International Festival, FFA National Convention and Indiana State Fair. All these events draw wide varieties of people that have one thing in common – smiles. Everyone loves spending time visiting our city.

But while Indy is great at welcoming folks from all walks of life, the city is also one of the most patriotic places you can find. You can’t go 50 feet without passing by a marker, monument or permanent structure dedicated to the memories of our fallen heroes. In fact, the city is centered by the 284-foot Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument, which was the country’s first monument dedicated to the common soldier (somewhat ironic since certain Patriots aren’t so welcome these days, don’t you think?).

So pack up your patriotism and pay us a visit. It will feel like home… no matter where in the world home may be.

Cindy Hoye
Executive Director, Indiana State Fairgrounds
ContactUs@OUR2012SB.com

You want a Super Bowl winner in a brand new downtown stadium? You want the largest one-day sporting event in the world? You want the NBA, professional baseball - in a downtown stadium, major national championships from swimming and diving to gymnastics and track and the Final Four - you got Indianapolis.

Indianapolis, with its shiny downtown, is a 20-carat diamond in the buckle of the Rust Belt, ready to sparkle with the 2012 Super Bowl. Indianapolis is transcendent.

Indianapolis has hosted major sporting events for decades-the Indianapolis 500 ran its first race in 1911-and treats visitors better than any other convention or tourist destination. Visitors crow about the ability to move effortlessly on foot from a sporting venue to a restaurant to a popular nightspot and back to their hotel. No need for shuttle buses to move from place to place; just a pair of comfortable shoes.

While the financial benefits of hosting a Super Bowl are obvious, our desire to introduce Indianapolis more formally to the world through the Super Bowl platform is what drives this Super Bowl bid. This is the one factor so often overlooked when considering Indianapolis as a host city for the Super Bowl: we are damn proud of our city. Check with the folks who live here - ask them about our hospitality, or better, ask them for directions. I bet your brother-in-law isn’t as nice as we are!

As Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts, has already made a statement in our skyline, Indianapolis wants to make the statement that we are a Super Bowl city.

Roland Dorson
President, Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce
ContactUs@OUR2012SB.com

Indianapolis is committed to hosting the best Super Bowl that NFL teams, owners, fans, media, Indianapolis residents and others have ever experienced.

For years, we have been building our Downtown to host the NFL Super Bowl and we are ready. Downtown has a new state-of-the-art stadium and convention facilities, first class hotels close by and connected under glass, dozens of restaurants and entertainment amenities within a short walk, plus a hospitality industry and volunteers recognized for extraordinary customer service…all within a very safe, convenient and beautiful square mile.

Downtown Indianapolis is trained to handle big crowds and enthusiastic fans. Our public-private partnership, spirit of co-operation and get-it-done attitude have earned Indianapolis the respect of event organizers around the country.

Company’s Coming!
There’s nothing like a deadline and the opportunity to welcome thousands of guests to bring out the very best in Indianapolis. We pride ourselves Downtown on doing whatever it takes to raise the bar and excel as a host city. We won’t rest. We will continue to fix up, raise up and spruce up Downtown to make sure we shine. And by 2012, Downtown will introduce $3 billion of new development, including hospitality offerings, corporate offices and cultural trails, to make our city even more amazing.

Bring on Super Bowl 2012. We are ready.

Tamara Zahn
President, Indianapolis Downtown, Inc.
ContactUs@OUR2012SB.com

There is no better place for Super Bowl XLVI than the “Amateur Sports Capital.” The amenities and convenience of downtown Indianapolis, our experience in hosting world-class events and our storied army of experienced volunteers have made Indianapolis the destination of choice for more than 400 elite sporting events and their fans for nearly three decades. Look at our track record: the 1982 Olympic Sports Festival, 1987 Pan American Games, 17 U.S. Olympic Trials, five NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Fours, an NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four, Big Ten Basketball Tournaments, world championships in basketball, swimming, gymnastics and track & field, as well as unique events such as the 2001 World Police and Fire Games and the 2005 Solheim Cup.

The state-of-the-art Lucas Oil Stadium and adjoining Indiana Convention Center are in the heart of our vibrant downtown. Lucas Oil Stadium is just the latest jewel to be added to our downtown skyline. Conseco Fieldhouse, Victory Field, Circle Centre Mall and others are the iconic symbols of our city’s success in building a sports legacy. Skywalks connect hotels, restaurants, retail and entertainment. Super Bowl fans will be able to enjoy the week of activities with a level of convenience that rivals any other city in America.

It’s also important to note what a Super Bowl could mean to our local economy. Over the years, elite sporting events have placed our city on the national and international stage, provided unique spectator and volunteer opportunities for our local citizens and enhanced the pride we feel in our city. Additionally, the economic benefits have been tremendous. More than $3 billion has been infused back into our local economy through the more than 400 national and international events Indianapolis has hosted since Indiana Sports Corporation’s creation in 1979. Elite national sports organizations, including the NCAA, NFHS, Black Coaches & Administrators, USA Gymnastics, USA Diving, USA Track & Field, U.S. Synchronized Swimming, and Horizon League, are headquartered right here in Indianapolis. Combined, organizations such as these contribute $91 million annually to the Indiana economy.

Our history is unmatched; our excitement is unwavering. We have been preparing for this opportunity for nearly three decades. Indianapolis is the right choice for Super Bowl XLVI.

Susan Williams
President, Indiana Sports Corporation
ContactUs@OUR2012SB.com

The NFL Scouting Combine just dominated the downtown area for the better part of nine days. If you wanted a glimpse of Jon Gruden or Super Bowl champ Tom Coughlin it wasn’t hard - the restaurants were filled with scouts, assistant coaches, head coaches GMs, Presidents and yes even the occasional owner. Arizona Cardinals owner Bill Bidwell is a fixture at the combine. He’s been to EVERY one! Commissioner Roger Goodell and Players union head Gene Upshaw were also on hand. After the Super Bowl and the conference championship games, this may be the league’s most important event. And it happens EVERY year right here in downtown Indianapolis!

Indianapolis serves as the perfect host for the NFL and its teams and (oh, yeah) the national media. Over 400 credentialed media were on hand for the week. The facilities are second to none. The convenience of the medical operation is perfect for the team doctors and trainers. Coaches love that they can walk from hotel to hotel, from hotel to convention center, from hotel to meeting rooms. They love that when they get a break they can easily move around downtown for dinner.

What does all this mean? It means that Indy has a “super” chance to grab the Super Bowl in 2012. From all perspectives, from the coaches to the media, from the owners to league administrators, Indy and its downtown gets rave reviews. For example, Peter King of Sports Illustrated & NBC wrote this on his national web page:

“…as long as we’re talking about Indy, I hope Indianapolis gets the 2012 Super Bowl … and this from a guy who wishes every Super Bowl were played in San Diego. Indy deserves it. It’s the most walkable downtown in America.”

John Clayton is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He is a national NFL reporter like King. He lives in Seattle but is “Mr. NFL Insider” for ESPN. He was a guest on our radio show this week and he offered these thoughts:

“I give Indy a ‘double thumbs up’ for a Super Bowl bid. It’s accessible and easy to get around. Other than New Orleans and to a certain degree, Tampa, it’s the most intimate city for a Super Bowl. And I mean that in the best way. You can walk anywhere. Lots of restaurants. Lots of hotels. It’s the best city as far as being close. You can walk from the hotel to the stadium without ever going outside. I love the city. And the people are very special. I was there for a Colts game once and I was sick. The hotel sent up chicken soup and followed up to see how I was. You don’t get that anywhere else. If the league wants to consider a northern site, the thing you want to avoid as a member of the media is boarding a bus for a 40 minute ride each day. You won’t get that in Indianapolis. I support Indy for a Super Bowl. Everything you need to do is a walk away.”

So, it looks good. We’re getting good feedback. But, we’ve got a lot of work to do. This city deserves a Super Bowl. I have been blessed to work and attend over 20 Super Bowls, and I have always said one of the keys to a successful event is the city’s volunteers. And we do THAT better than anyone. Whether it was the old Brickyard Crossing Senior golf event or the Pan Am games or a Final Four, we have always delivered Hoosier Hospitality to our guests from all over the world.
It’s time for the Super Bowl to come to America’s heartland. A “super” game for a “super” city, filled with “super” people. I can’t wait.

(Eddie White is the afternoon co-host of a sports talk show on ESPN 1070 The Fan. White also works in public relations for Reebok. He is a former Asst. SID at Notre Dame and spent four years as the Director of PR for the Miami Dolphins. He has worked over 20 Super Bowls in various capacities for the NFL.)

Eddie White
Sports Talk Show Host on ESPN 1070 The Fan
ContactUs@OUR2012SB.com