From the Sales Staff

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra is proud to present the Duke Energy Yuletide Celebration!  A time-honored tradition complete with tap dancing Santas and flying reindeer, these shows are not to be missed.  December 4 is the opening weekend at Hilbert Circle Theatre downtown Indianapolis on Monument Circle, a two minute walk from our historic hotel.

Keeping with our tradition, we are proud to once again partner with the ISO and WFYI to offer two incredible Indianapolis hotel packages!  The first hotel package, Yuletide, Shop & Stay, is valued at almost $400 and includes:

• Hotel accommodations at the Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Downtown,
• Two main floor tickets to the Yuletide Celebration,
• One year membership to WFYI, breakfast for two, 
• A $25 Simon Malls Visa Gift Card and
•  A gift bag with shopping coupons and goodies from WFYI!

The second hotel package, Yuletide, Stay & SAVE, is valued at almost $350 and includes:

• Accommodations at our three star hotel downtown Indianapolis,
• Two 2nd mezzanine tickets to the Yuletide Celebration,
• One year membership to WFYI,
• Breakfast for two and
• A special holiday surprise gift!

We have a great cause we need your help with.  Nic Nihiser, a marketing executive at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, was hit on his bicycle on Saturday, September 19 while riding home.  Fox 59 Video  As one of the hotels near Indianapolis Speedway, we are supporting Nic on his road to recovery.

Friends and family are holding a spaghetti dinner for him on October 10 from 4-7:30 at Decatur Intermediate School located at 5650 Mann Road Indianapolis.  Donations for spaghetti, paper goods, salad, dressing, Parmesan cheese and help setting up are appreciated.  Donating directly is also appreciated through PayPal by using the email address thefightfornicnihiser@yahoo.com.

Local businesses, friends, family and others are providing and seeking donations to auction off at the dinner.  All proceeds will benefit Nic and his family in his recovery.  You can follow his progress and learn more about how to help on the Facebook page The Fight for Nic Nihiser.  Our Indianapolis hotel will be donating one overnight stay with breakfast for two to be auctioned off at the dinner.

I received this email today from the Indiana Sports Corp.  Help us bring the FIFA World Cup to the U.S. and to Indy!  This would be HUGE for us and benefit not only downtown Indy hotels, but many Indianapolis area hotels!  Talk about a boost for our economy, restaurants, retail, airport, transporation, etc.  As a former server and bartender, I would salivate over an event like this just for the potential tips!  Ha!  But seriously, what a great event and a great opportunity for the U.S. and Indianapolis to show the world we care about this sport and welcome it to our country and our city.
 

Do You Want to See FIFA World Cup Soccer in Indianapolis? 

Indianapolis was recently selected as one of 27 U.S. cities still being considered as a host city for the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup. The host city selection process will continue over the next few months. It's time for Indiana and Indianapolis to prove how passionate we are about hosting this great event. We're challenging you to help us make Indiana the most-represented state for the USA Bid Committee's online petition. Our bid will be judged on the number of residents who sign this petition to support our bid.

Forward this to soccer fans, sports fans, fans of world-class events in Indiana, your family, friends, co-workers, and all e-mails lists you can. Print this and hang it up in your office, your gym, your school, or anywhere else you can think of. Ask them to support Indianapolis and the United States' bid to host the FIFA World Cup by going to http://www.gousabid.com/page/s/sticker and signing the online petition that you want the FIFA World Cup to come to Indianapolis.

More than 40,000 fans have already shown their love of soccer and patriotic spirit by signing up.

Your support counts! Help us bring the FIFA World Cup to the U.S. and Indianapolis.

It's FOOTBALL SEASON!!  This Thursday, September 3 marks the end of the Indianapolis Colts' preseason!  Our first regular season game is Sunday, September 13.  The Indianapolis Colts face off against the Jacksonville Jaguars at home!  I don't know about your team, but we have Blue Friday here in Indy.  Our hotel celebrates the Colts games by displaying larger-than-life Colts players in the lobby, flags in our lobby palm trees, and a banner or two.

Of course, most employees really love Blue Friday because we get to wear something a bit more casual and our Indianapolis Colts jerseys!  You can check out our team spirit on our Facebook page photo gallery!  We even bring out the war paint and temporary tattoos from time to time!  Are you a member of the Colts Blue Crew?  You should be!

Of the hotels near Lucas Oil Stadium, we may not be the closest, but we certainly bleed blue (most of us).  When you are searching for Indianapolis hotel reservations, whether you're supporting the Colts or the Texans, 49ers or Jets, we'd love to have you stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Downtown!  If you're coming from out of town for the Titans game, or any other, call me to check for Indianapolis group travel options!

Home Games:
Sun, 9/13:  Jacksonville Jaguars
Sun, 10/4:  Seattle Seahawks
Sun, 11/1:  San Francisco 49ers
Sun, 11/8:  Houston Texans
Sun, 11/15:  New England Patriots
Sun, 12/6:  Tennessee Titans
Sun, 12/13:  Denver Broncos
Sun, 12/27:  New York Jets

September is a great month for things to do, music to hear and people to see in downtown Indy!  If you read my carnivorous post a while back, you know the 14th Annual Rib America Festival kicks off the month.  You also know our downtown Indy hotel is the host hotel and has a special room rate and package for the event.

September 12 is the next event.  The Penrod Arts Fair takes place on the grounds of the Indianapolis Museum of Art.  The IMA is only five miles from the Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Downtown.  The Fair is the largest single day art event in the U.S.!  And it's family friendly, so check it out!  That same weekend, the Chinese American Festival kicks off with art, performances, food and Chinese medicine.  The event is at Military Park, only six blocks from our three star hotel.

What's next?  The 14th Annual Irish Fest, also at Military Park!  Enjoy music, dancing, food and kid friendly activities like bounce houses.  When you're done there, head over to the 29th Fiesta Indianapolis at the American Legion Mall, just a few blocks north of our downtown Indianapolis hotel.  It's the city's premier Latino celebration!

Tying up the month will be the week long Indy Jazz Fest.  This popular event ends with a huge concert at The Lawn at White River State Park on September 26 and 27.  Also on the 26th is the Eiteljorg's WestFest.  There's so much to do and see, hear and eat!  September will definitely gear you up for the first two weekends in October: Circle City Classic and then The Original and Fabulous Germanfest!

Check out Indianapolis Downtown Inc.'s website for more details!  Don't forget to make your Indianapolis hotel reservations at the Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Downtown hotel!

If you are going to be traveling regularly to downtown Indianapolis over the next year or so, you should definitely attend one of the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra’s upcoming concerts. The 2009-2010 Season starts this September and will end in May of 2010. Throughout this period, you can experience an outstanding repertoire of classic creations by the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra…how do we know this? Christian Celis-Schemidt, our Director of Sales, has joined the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra’s Board of Directors.

Within this organization, one of the things Christian will work toward is advancing the artistic contribution that this fine organization makes to our city, by raising the awareness to expand its audience. So, if you are in town over the next few months, please check the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra’ website for performances (http://www.icomusic.org). Also, starting in September, the Chamber Orchestra will be celebrating its 25^th year and for the occasion, they will feature a myriad of talented musicians for every taste and every season. Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and Handel’s Messiah are only glimpses of the upcoming performances.

A collaborative creation with the American Pianist Association is also a part of this celebration.  “ICO [Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra] Conversations concert will feature a performance by American Pianists Association Fellow, Adam Golka, followed by a distinctive, intimate discussion about music. This unique concert experience caters to audience involvement, allowing the exploration of the lives and contributions of pianist-composers such as Rachmaninoff, Chopin, and Liszt”.  Be a part of this fine organization by joining Christian at these distinguished concerts!

Why not make a night of it? While enjoying the ICO at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center – Frank and Katrina Basile Theater, stay at a historic hotel in Indianapolis! It's a great idea for Indianapolis group travel. Call Christian at (317) 405-5708 and he can help you set up a hotel package with the ICO and a block of rooms at our beautiful Indianapolis downtown hotel!

It's been all over the news lately: How will Indianapolis fix the Capital Improvement Board's $46 million deficit?  Most of the talks have centered around taxes.  It has now fallen on downtown Indianapolis hotels, and all Marion County hotels, to help fund the ailing CIB.

Hotel taxes in Marion County will increase from 9% to 10%.  This will make total taxes paid on a hotel room 17%.  From hotels near Indianapolis Convention Center to hotels near the Indianapolis Airport, east, west, north or south will make that jump on September 1, 2009.  This means that $99 rate will be $115.83 instead of $114.84 - not a huge difference right?  The $199 rates during races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will now be $232.83 instead of $230.84...again, not a large difference.

There is a lot of media hype about Indianapolis being one of the nation's highest in hotel tax.  That is a fact but look what little difference it makes.  We all have to roll with the punches sometimes and make changes when it comes to supporting and improving our city.  This is just one thing Marion County will be doing to help the CIB.

Leave a comment and let us know what you think!

...Everywhere I look around!  Love is in the air, every sight and every sound!

I can't believe I haven't blogged about this yet!  I receive many phone calls from soon-to-be brides and grooms, friends of the couple, planners, mothers and fathers.  They look for blocks of discount hotel rooms and hotels near the Murat Centre or Mavris, Scottish Rite, The Rathskeller or Fountain Square Theatre or ceremony or reception site.  They want menus for rehearsal dinners and brunches.  Almost every weekend throughout the year, the Hilton Garden Inn is host to many friends and family members of the soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs.

There are many Indianapolis wedding hotels from which to choose.  Of the downtown Indianapolis hotels, I think we are a great choice!  Of course, I am biased, but it's a charming historic hotel in Indianapolis, and soon to be newly renovated hotel!  Our great location, history, friendly staff, comfy rooms and catering capabilities make us a great option!  With that said, I thought I might offer some of my own planning tips for our Indianapolis wedding hotel:
 

• If your reception serves alcohol, choose a hotel close to the reception location.  Guests will appreciate the short walk or cheap cab ride back.  If not, consider providing a shuttle for your guests.  I can give you some choices.
• Have your rehearsal dinner or day-after brunch in the hotel!  You will be able to get a great deal on a private room for your meal(s) when you have a room block in the hotel.
• Research the hotel online before you call.  Many times I get calls asking to accommodate 250 or 300 guests for a reception - too large for us.  I hate telling someone that we can't do it, and they waste precious planning time.
• Gift bags are a big hit!  Thank your guests for sharing in your union by making gift bags for them.  We will deliver them out at check-in!
• Why not take advantage of the hotel for your bachelor or bachelorette parties?  Indianapolis group travel rates are available for you!

Welcome to summer in Indianapolis!  To me, summer means my favorite time of year, not the season itself, but concert season in Indy!  If you are attending any concert and need a downtown Indy hotel to stay afterward, please think of the Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Downtown! As you may have read, of the downtown Indianapolis hotels near Conseco Fieldhouse, we are only two blocks away.  This means when Metallica comes in September, Taylor Swift in October and Miley Cyrus comes in November, you can stay with us and walk to the concert!

Of the hotels near Lucas Oil Stadium, we are a little further at only six blocks.  But I'm sure Kenny Chesney won't mind where you stay in September as long as you're going to the show.

If you need a hotel deal in Indianapolis while attending one of the concerts at the Egyptian Room or Murat Theatre, we are the hotel nearest Murat Centre.

The Rathskeller, Lawn at White River State Park, Emerson Theater, Birdy's, Military Park, the famous Slippery Noodle Inn and The Vogue are also within walking distance or a short drive from the Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Downtown hotel.  If you have a group of people coming in for a show, please contact me to arrange your Indianapolis group travel!  I may be able to get you a great group rate on some rooms!

Don't forget about the Indiana State Fairgrounds!  Artists such as Demi Lovato, Sandi Patty, Kelly Clarkson, Keith Urban, Jason Mraz and more will be performing about four miles north of us.

So when you nee a hotel room in Indianapolis, call the Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Downtown!