Great Lakes Grand Prix, vendor recruitment and new hotel opening highlight CVB updates

LaPorte County Convention & Visitors Bureau staff gave a broad update on signature events, marketing and accommodations on May 26.

Chelsea, the events lead, said vendor recruitment for the Great Lakes Grand Prix is well ahead of prior years and that the CVB had already recorded about $25,000 in ticket and VIP sales. "We've really upped our vendors — I'd say we probably have at least another 20 vendors this year," Chelsea said, noting expanded vendor-lot layouts and an entertainment alley planned between the zoo and sunset-grill lots.

Amy reported the CVB received a $5,000 grant from the Indiana Sports Corp. to support the Great Lakes Grand Prix and detailed regional media partnerships running through the high-tourism season.

Staff also said that recent and planned hotel inventory changes will affect lodging capacity: Brett noted that ongoing data-center construction is already generating demand and that a Home2 Suites will open May 28, adding 86 rooms to the market. Anton Davidson, the property's general manager, introduced himself to the board and described plans to operate Home2 Suites and the existing Hampton as complementary properties, and he signaled local hiring at both hotels.

Staff said they had more media assets (driver videos) to present but deferred the playback to a future meeting because audio/AV was not ready at this session.

Next steps: staff will continue vendor recruitment and ticket marketing for signature events, coordinate with new hotel management on community partnerships and report final ticket and vendor tallies as the events approach.