From the Super Bowl to the Indianapolis 500, Indy is known for hosting some of the world’s most legendary sporting events. But our signature Hoosier hospitality also brings a bevy of top-tier conventions, expos, and trade shows to Indianapolis. 

In fact, Indianapolis remains the #1 Convention City in the U.S. with a reputation for exceptional service, walkable amenities, and unforgettable experiences. Conveniently located within a day’s drive of half the U.S. population, Indy’s central location makes it easy for attendees to travel by car or catch a quick flight at the Best Airport in North America.

And once they arrive, people can explore countless restaurants, breweries, museums, and more—all within walking distance of their hotel! Indianapolis also holds the record for the most hotels connected to our convention center, offering 4,700+ rooms with direct skywalk access to each event.  

With award-winning amenities and record-breaking accessibility, it’s no wonder why the Indiana Convention Center hosts over 200 events every year! But for local Hoosiers, these events are a priceless chance to attend some of the nation’s top conventions right here in Indianapolis. Check out our guide to the top conventions, expos, and trade shows that come to Indy year after year! 

1. Gen Con

Known as The Best Four Days in Gaming, Gen Con is a bucket-list worthy event for game developers and enthusiasts alike. Gen Con is hands-down the Largest Tabletop Gaming Convention in North America, drawing over 500 exhibitors and 70,000 attendees to Indianapolis in 2023. From LARPing and cosplay to trading cards and video games, there’s truly something for everyone!

At Gen Con, guests are invited to check out the newest tabletop games, attend hands-on workshops, participate in competitive tournaments—and so much more. You may even catch a glimpse of your favorite streamer, creator, or D&D celebrity! No matter your niche, there’s more than enough fantasy and flair to go around at Gen Con. 

2. Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration

Every year, the Indiana Black Expo (IBE) hosts a Summer Celebration of culture that champions Black art, business, education, and more! This exciting event spans over a week long and takes place all across Indianapolis. 

The IBE Summer Celebration features a variety of celebrity performances, art exhibits, and even a film fest that showcases independent works from Black filmmakers. They also host professional development opportunities for Black professionals and made a Youth Entrepreneur Series to teach students the skills to launch their own business. 

Throughout the week, you can celebrate Black culture while enriching your life through networking, educational conferences, and the annual Black & Minority Health Fair. With over 350,000 attendees each year, the IBE Summer Celebration is one of the largest and most anticipated cultural events in the country!

3. Rally Innovation Conference

Rally is the world’s largest cross-sector innovation conference—hosted right here in Indianapolis! The Rally Innovation Conference brings together companies, leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors to champion collaboration and inspire ingenuity across all industries. These innovators are encouraged to attend speakers, summits, and 1-on-1 meetings to help grow their network and fuel their business.

Rally offers over 200 sessions designed to spark your creativity, or you can showcase your ideas at the Demo Arena, where innovative startups and technology converge. Applicants even have a chance to participate in one of the world’s largest pitch competitions, competing for their share of the $5 million investment prize. 

4. PopCon Indy

There’s a reason PopCon’s slogan is “Where Every Fan Finds Their Place!” This convention is truly a celebration of every corner of pop culture—from comic books and video games to anime and movies! They make an effort to welcome geeks of every fandom, so friends and families can come together and find their passions at PopCon. 

PopCon Indy is a unique, family-friendly convention where creators and enthusiasts converge, offering a variety of celebrity panels, live performances, and fun things to do. So, whether you’re competing in a cosplay contest, signing up for a Nerf war, or getting an autograph from your favorite podcaster, PopCon Indy is the perfect place to discover your next obsession! 

5. Midwest Arts XPO

The Midwest Arts XPO (MAX) is one of Indy’s newest annual conventions, created by the Heartland Performing Arts regional coalition. Since its inaugural year in 2023, this industry conference has brought together arts professionals to inspire innovation, facilitate education, and encourage connection between agents, presenters, and artists.

Through a variety of speakers, workshops, and panel discussions, attending artists can expand their horizons and learn about critical industry topics, such as fundraising, marketing, programming, and more. 

MAX also curates over 250 artistic showcases, where emerging performers can demonstrate their talents on the convention stage. By championing their creativity, the Midwest Arts XPO helps empower artists from across the region to strengthen their industry knowledge and cultivate a true sense of community.

6. Indiana Comic & Pop Culture Convention

From Marvel fans to die-hard Trekkies—if you love the fantastic world of fiction, you won’t want to miss the Indiana Comic & Pop Culture Convention! This weekend event is Indy’s largest “true comic convention,” featuring a variety of industry professionals, fandom celebrities, and interactive events for the whole family. 

Fans can experience a line-up of panel discussions and Meet & Greets with their favorite celebs and actors. (A few names you might recognize include Wil Wheaton, John Rhys Davies, Hayden Christensen, and John Cleese!) And while you’re waiting for an autograph, you can browse their Artist Alley, compete in gaming tournaments, and—of course—discover the best new comics on the market! 

7. National Eucharistic Congress

In 2024, the National Eucharistic Congress convened for the first time in over 80 years, gathering devout Catholics from around the world for a powerful religious revival. This monumental moment brought 60,000 priests and pilgrims to Indianapolis to worship Jesus and share their faith with one another. 

Attendees filled the stands of Lucas Oil Stadium, attending a variety of speakers and sessions focused on impact, community, and spiritual revival. Plans for upcoming years are still in the works. But the success of the 10th National Eucharistic Congress marked an important moment in Indianapolis history—and strengthened our legacy as the nation’s leading host city. 

8. Indiana Bridal & Wedding Expo

If you’re planning your big day, the Indiana Bridal & Wedding Expo is THE place to be! This annual expo is held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds and presents an exciting opportunity for local vendors to connect with wedding planners and fiancées alike.

While you’re there, you can sample wedding cakes, meet with event planners, check out the latest in wedding fashion, or simply get inspiration for your wedding design and cuisine. The Indiana Bridal & Wedding Expo is open to everyone—and best of all, admission is FREE! Just make sure you register online before you arrive!

Indianapolis also hosts exclusive industry events and expos!

As a hub of innovation and opportunity, Indianapolis has become a destination of choice for industry conferences and trade shows. These conventions are not open to the public, but they still bring thousands of talented leaders and creators to Indy each year.

So, if you’ve ever strolled down Georgia Street and wondered who’s at the convention center, here are a few of the biggest trade shows and expos that call Indianapolis home! 

1. National FFA Convention & Expo

Downtown Indy becomes a sea of blue corduroy jackets every fall, when the FFA comes to town! FFA is the largest student-led organization in the country with nearly a million members across 9,000 chapters. Their programming helps students prepare for careers in agriculture-related fields, including everything from biotech to business. 

Over 70,000 FFA members travel to Indianapolis each year for the National FFA Convention & Expo—one of the world’s largest youth conventions! There, students can showcase their knowledge, compete for awards, and experience the latest in AgTech at the Expo & Shopping Mall. Convention is also time for student delegates to meet and discuss the future of the organization, while strengthening their leadership skills.  

FFA members are also invited to attend exclusive events, like concerts at Gainbridge Fieldhouse and even a good ol’ fashion rodeo at the State Fairgrounds! 

2. Sweets & Snacks Expo

The Sweets & Snacks Expo first arrived in Indy in 2021. Now, this sugary event has decided to stay in Indianapolis for the next decade! Hosted by the National Confectioners’ Association, this expo gives snack manufacturers and suppliers a sweet opportunity to connect and hone their craft.

Hundreds of vendors use this expo as a launchpad for their newest products and packaging, giving industry insiders a glimpse at the mouthwatering flavors to come. Sadly, this event isn’t open for casual snackers, but it still brings an estimated $12 million in economic impact to our city. And best of all, Indy gets to be a testbed for the latest in snack innovation!

3. PRI Show

Race fans already know that Indy’s a legend in the world of auto innovation and home to the Racing Capital of the World. So, it’s no surprise that the “world’s largest gathering of motorsports professionals” calls Indianapolis home! 

Every December, the Performance Racing Industry Show welcomes PRI members from across the motorsports industry for a weekend of networking, shopping, and celebrating all things racing. This annual event brings together the industry’s most innovative minds for a variety of seminars, showcases, and exhibits featuring the latest in racing technology. 

4. FDIC International

Nothing sets Indy ablaze quite like North America’s Leading Firefighter Conference: FDIC International! This convention invites over 35,000 Fire & Rescue professionals from more than 60 countries to expand their industry knowledge and connect with other members of the fire service. 

Through educational workshops, speakers, and courses, attendees get to learn firsthand about the latest life-saving technologies. FDIC International also offers Hands-On Training Evolutions that allow firefighters to practice new techniques in simulated environments. 

Here in Indianapolis, we see many conventions each year. But it’s not every day that these events actually help save lives, improving the safety of communities around the world! 

Discover why Indianapolis is the world’s greatest host city!

From tabletop games to firefighting, Indy knows how to roll out the red carpet and make every event memorable! Whether it’s an important business expo or a cutting-edge trade show, Indianapolis has the world-class hotels, facilities, and hospitality necessary to host even the largest international events. 

Our history of event hosting has already cemented Indy’s reputation as one of the best host cities in the world. But our hospitality industry just continues to grow, opening the door for more conventions, expos, and trade shows to find their home in the Circle City.

So, if you’re already a Hoosier, make sure you check out the historic conventions happening right in your backyard! And if you’re a visitor in town, don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to any Hoosiers you meet. We promise, we’re happy to have you!