My review is limited to the utilization of the convention center as part of the city's skywalk system. When there's no trade show, the center is dark, heat/AC is dialed way back and the escalators are not working. I'm okay with the heat and escalators, but the darkness is a real safety concern in a city with a violent crime rate as high as Indianapolis. It would be nice if they would leave some lights on at least in that portion of the center that is used to connect hotels like the JW Marriott to the rest of downtown. Seems to be common sense.
Worst trade show venue in the world. I stopped doing conventions in Indianapolis because the RCA dome was ridiculous. Did my first show some they remodeled and they adopted everything horrible beside the pressure system.
Then your have the ignorant police shutting down every street!!!
Overpriced food (that is not all that good), bathrooms get cleaned (what seems to be) about once a month and the so-called "security" let's their little yellow jackets and clipboards go to their heads. If a organization comes in and spends a huge amount of money to rent the area then people that need to get work done should be allowed access a few minutes before the show starts to work.
Spacious, clean and a great downtown location with easy access to hotels and restaurants, entertainment and shopping. Wear comfortable shoes or bring two sets of shoes because it's so large there's no way to avoid a lot of walking.
Loved the event center and seemed to have everything a large crowd could ask for. Good coffee shops and restaurants nearby as well.
Come every year for a convention. Well maintained, of course over priced food and drink like a movie theater. Only complaint would be a lack of soda machines and general vending.
Went here for gen con - amazing set up. Bathrooms were always clean. Staff was friendly and helpful, except no one knew where the serpentine room was - turns out it's the name of one of the lobbies
The Indianapolis Convention Center (ICC) is a fantastic venue. Whether small or large audience the ICC easily holds all. The greatest feature are the many connected skyways that connect the hotels and the mall. Rain, snow, heat, none of that matters as you'll be inside.
ICC is surrounded by restaurants allowing those with cravings or dietary restrictions choices in what they eat. For those that are indifferent, the prices for food inside are reasonable as the convention is competing with said restaurants for your business.
Walking by yourself inside the massive halls is quite serene when no convention is going on. Even if there was one (2,000 attendees), you'd be hard pressed to notice. For those of massive size (GenCon, 60,000 unique), the openness is appreciated as the space isn't suffocating (though you're drowning in people).
Great place for major events in the Indianapolis area. Lots of room and easy access to downtown Indy. Great place for large gatherings of people.
I went to the Indianapolis NFL Combine in 2017 at the convintion center in downtown Indianapolis. I had a great time and the facilities where clean and in order, staff was polite and helpful. Parking was reasonable.
Very large venue, well kept up. The staff is awesome
Great experience. Large Volleyball Tournament and staff and facility were amazing. Parking was easy to get with the different lots around Center and also with the parking at Lucas Oil Stadium. One of the best convention centers I have experienced overall so far.
Honestly, I'd give this place 6 stars if I could. I come here every year for Gen Con (as well as every other major convention that Indianapolis hosts) and the experience is always worth the price of admission. Of course, this is a review of the convention center itself and not any one event in particular so here goes
The space is always kept at the right temperature and cleaned between each event, so you know the staff puts a lot of effort into keeping this place nice. I haven't had any run-ins with the security guards walking around the place but that could always change. For the most part, however, they tend to leave me (and everyone else there) alone.
The only con that I can think of, no pun intended, is the overpriced food: I think $10-15 will get you a hot dog, bag of chips and a coke (if you don't feel like leaving the convention center). Other than that, I can't really think of anything bad to say about this place. Oh, and just as a quick pro-tip for anyone who works in downtown Indy
this is a great place to walk around on your lunch break!