ANDERSON — Indiana has a little bit of everything for tourists.
That was the message delivered by Carrie Lambert, marketing director for the Indiana Office of Tourism Development during the Chamber of Commerce for Anderson & Madison County Women in Business Breakfast at the Madison County Shrine Club on Thursday.
She encouraged the 40 assembled residents and businesses owners to get to know the Anderson-Madison County Visitors and Convention Bureau and other such organizations throughout the state.
“A lot of people don’t know what a CVB (convention and visitors bureau) is, but they’re a great resource,” Lambert said. “Wherever you’re going, find a CVB and find out what the area has to offer.”
Michigan has more beaches, Ohio has more theme parks and Illinois has a big city in Chicago. Indiana’s strength, Lambert said, lies in its balance and variety of attractions.
Indiana Dunes, its state parks and the caves of southern Indiana are attractive natural features, while Indiana Beach and especially Holiday World are theme parks known for being family friendly. Bloomington, West Lafayette and South Bend are vibrant college towns, and Indianapolis offers the full urban experience.
But Lambert said the Hoosier state boasts some lesser-known attractions that should not be ignored. Indiana has three wine trails and the Albanese Confectionery, while Columbus is ranked among the top five cities in the nation for its architecture. At Fair Oaks Farms, north of Lafayette, visitors can see a calf being born every three hours.
And don’t forget about casino gaming. With the addition of slot machines at Indiana Downs in Shelbyville and Anderson’s own Hoosier Park, Indiana has even more power to draw from neighboring states, who outgun the Hoosier State in tourism promotion budgets.
“We have our own line item out of the state general fund, which we’re excited about, but our budget is 43rd in the nation,” Lambert said. “We’re less than half of all our neighboring states, but we make our dollars work hard for us at the IOTR.”
Earlier, Keith Pitcher of the Chamber of Commerce for Anderson & Madison County talked about the organization’s move from its downtown location at 205 W. 11th St. to the Flagship Enterprise Center at Exit 22 near Interstate 69.
“The Flagship Enterprise Center, if you’ve not seen it, is a wonderful facility,” Pitcher said. “Anderson University and Purdue University have offices there. Its business incubator is fostering the businesses that will be creating jobs in our community.”
The move is expected to take a few months.
-----------
• Indiana Office of Tourism Development: www.in.gov/visitindiana
• Anderson-Madison County Visitors & Convention Bureau: www.heartlandspirit.com
Local News
6:36 p.m.: State boasts variety for its visitors
- Local News
-
-
Anderson man dies at Monroe Reservoir; 3 others arrested
Memorial Day weekend took a tragic turn Saturday evening as an Anderson man visiting Monroe Reservoir died. Three other Anderson men were arrested later that day following the death of Matthew Hosier, 29.
-
Getting Together: Silence not golden for this library program
Certain rules govern almost all libraries: be quiet, don’t mar the pages and absolutely no food or drinks on the premises. But a small group of patrons wait until after hours, lock themselves in the back room of the Alexandria-Monroe Public Library, eat popcorn, drink soda and loudly scoff as they watch bad movies.
-
Veteran receiving Bronze Star 68 years late
An Army veteran will be awarded a Bronze Star on Memorial Day — 68 years after he was originally supposed to receive it.
-
Memorial Day activities set
For Memorial Day weekend, here’s a list of activities to participate in.
-
Arrest Log: May 28
Arrests made by Madison County law enforcement on Saturday, based on Madison County Jail records. Charges are recommended by arresting officers, but are not final until the Madison County prosecutor reviews the case and files official charges.
- Conservation officers arrest Anderson boater on alcohol charge
-
What's Where: May 28
Local activities are scheduled Monday.
-
Handicapped murder convict alleges prison discrimination
Since October 2006, Donald Lock has been confined to a wheel chair because of a degenerative bone disease. He has spent time at correctional facilities throughout the state, but it wasn’t until he was transferred to Pendleton earlier this year that he said he felt his disability was ignored.
-
Arrest log: May 27
The following arrest log appears in the Sunday edition of The Herald Bulletin.
-
Parents at Little League say coach took money
Parents of the North Anderson Little League filed a complaint with police against a former coach who they say stole fundraiser money.
- More Local News Headlines
-
