Exhibitor guide · Downtown Indianapolis, Indiana
Indiana Convention Center: the exhibitor's guide
937,000 square feet across 11 exhibit halls, a skywalk system linking 12 hotels with more connected rooms than any convention center in the country, and a state that's right-to-work while the venue itself still runs on exclusive union labor. What exhibitors need to know before, during and after an Indianapolis show.
ICC · 100 S Capitol AveWhy this page exists
The Indiana Convention Center's defining feature isn't just its size, it's the skywalk: an enclosed pedestrian bridge system connecting the building to 12 downtown hotels totaling more than 4,700 rooms, more skywalk-connected hotel inventory than any convention center in the United States. That matters for exhibitors deciding where crews stay and how they move between hotel and show floor without ever going outside. The labor picture is worth flagging too: Indiana has been a right-to-work state since 2012, but the ICC itself still runs on exclusive union labor for install, dismantle and drayage, the same pattern seen at Texas's George R. Brown Convention Center and Georgia's Georgia World Congress Center, where a right-to-work state law doesn't override a specific venue's own labor arrangement. This guide covers the halls, labor rules, drayage, the shows that fill the calendar led by Gen Con, hotels on the skywalk, and the center's five-decade expansion history.
The building
The exhibit halls
| Space | What it is | Typical shows | Booth planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 exhibit halls | 566,600 sq ft of exhibit hall floor. | Large national trade shows, tabletop gaming, coatings and industrial expos | Confirm current hall assignment. |
| 71 meeting rooms, 3 ballrooms | 113,302 sq ft breakout space, 62,173 sq ft of ballroom space. | Breakouts, general sessions | Hand-carry and tabletop formats. |
| Skywalk system | Enclosed pedestrian bridges to 12 hotels, 4,700+ rooms. | Any show where crews need weatherproof hotel-to-floor access | Not a freight route; confirm dock access separately. |
Figures from the Indiana Convention Center's published facility overview.
The labor map
Who sets up my booth?
Indiana has been a right-to-work state since 2012, but that doesn't carry over to the ICC's own labor policy: the venue uses union labor exclusively, with Teamsters handling install, dismantle and all freight and drayage. Exhibitors may hand-carry material in themselves, but cannot access loading dock or freight door areas directly. It's the same "right-to-work state, union-only venue" pattern seen at Texas's GRB and Georgia's GWCC.
Union labor required
Teamsters handle install and dismantle of trade show booths.
Allowed, docks are not
You can hand-carry materials yourself, but loading dock and freight door access is restricted to union crews.
Exhibitor-appointed contractors
Purple files as your EAC for ICC shows.
History
Five expansions since 1972
The Indiana Convention Center opens with 160,000 sq ft, a single ballroom, three exhibit halls and 23 meeting rooms.
A first expansion adds a second ballroom, two more exhibit halls and 16 meeting rooms, built alongside the adjoining Hoosier Dome.
A $43 million expansion brings total rentable space to 419,000 sq ft, adding the Sagamore Ballroom and 16 more meeting rooms.
Another expansion grows exhibit space to 403,700 sq ft.
The fifth and most recent expansion is completed, bringing the ICC to its current 937,000 sq ft with 566,600 sq ft of exhibit hall floor across 11 halls.
Rules of the floor
Rules of the floor
Union install and dismantle
Teamsters exclusively for booth setup, teardown and drayage.
Below-average planning rate
Purple's planning estimate is about $135 per hundredweight with a 200 lb minimum, itemized separately from electrical, install labor and rigging.
Indianapolis Fire Department
Covered and multilevel exhibits need plan review; flame-certified fabrics for anything covered.
Center-exclusive services
Electrical, internet and catering are exclusive to the ICC or its designated providers; the show kit carries the current list.
Empties and the MHA
EMPTY stickers on unpack; MHA before leaving. Purple routes the booth back to storage or on to your next show.
Free tool
ICC drayage estimator
Planning numbers for 2026 and 2027; your show's exhibitor kit has the tariff.
Deadlines
Freight countdown for an ICC show
The calendar
Shows at the ICC
Gen Con, the largest and longest-running tabletop gaming convention in North America, anchors the summer calendar.
| Show | Next dates | Industry | Attendance | Purple |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gen Con | July 30–August 2, 2026 | Tabletop gaming | 70,000+ | Custom exhibits |
| American Coatings Show and Conference | May 5–7, 2026 | Coatings, industrial | 9,000 | 10×20 rentals |
| Indiana Home & Garden Show | February 12–14, 2027 | Consumer, home & garden | 15,000 | Booth rentals |
| WWETT Show | February 22–25, 2027 | Water and wastewater equipment | 14,000 | Custom exhibits |
Attendance is the organizer's or trade press figure where published; confirm before booking.
Logistics
Hotels, transit, crew logistics
- Airport: Indianapolis International is about 15–20 minutes.
- Connected: 12 hotels link via the skywalk, including the 1,000+ room JW Marriott.
- Walking: Monument Circle and downtown dining are a short walk.
- Crew: Purple coordinates Midwest crews and regional freight for Indianapolis shows.
| Hotel | Distance | Why exhibitors pick it |
|---|---|---|
| JW Marriott Indianapolis | Connected via skywalk | The largest JW Marriott in the world, steps from the ICC. |
| Other skywalk-connected hotels | Connected via skywalk | 11 more properties, weatherproof access to the show floor. |
| Hotels near the airport | 15–20-min drive | Fly-in exhibitors on early or late flights. |
Resources
Free resources you can link to
Cite the numbers
One-page cheat sheet
Hall map, labor rules, docks, deadlines.
Related on purpleexhibits.com: Custom trade show booth design · Trade show booth rentals · Request a quote.
Questions
Indiana Convention Center FAQ
Can I set up my own booth?
You can hand-carry materials yourself, but the ICC uses union labor exclusively for install, dismantle and drayage, and loading dock or freight door access is restricted to Teamsters crews. Indiana has been right-to-work since 2012, but that state law doesn't change this venue's own labor policy.
How big is the ICC?
937,000 square feet total, with 566,600 square feet of exhibit hall floor across 11 halls.
How much is drayage?
Purple's planning estimate is about $135 per hundredweight in 2026 and 2027, with a 200-pound minimum.
What's the skywalk?
An enclosed pedestrian bridge system connecting the ICC to 12 downtown hotels totaling more than 4,700 rooms, more skywalk-connected hotel inventory than any convention center in the United States.
What's the biggest show at the ICC?
Gen Con, the largest and longest-running tabletop gaming convention in North America, held every summer.
Which airport should I use?
Indianapolis International Airport is about 15 to 20 minutes from downtown.
Is there a connected hotel?
Yes, 12 hotels connect via the skywalk, including the JW Marriott Indianapolis, the largest JW Marriott in the world.
Exhibiting at the ICC?
Send us the show and booth number. You get a labor briefing, a drayage estimate, and a build timeline within two business days.
Venue guides
Every venue we have a guide for
Same standard, every hall: the building, the rules, the tools and the calendar.