Indy Hosts 70,000 as WNBA All-Star Game and Indiana Black Expo Combine for Massive Event

Indianapolis hosted a massive event this weekend as the WNBA All-Star Game and Indiana Black Expo combined for an estimated 70,000 attendees.

The sold-out WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse drew nearly 17,000 people, while the Indiana Black Expo expects around 88,000 attendees over its 20-day event.

This successful event is a testament to the city's growing reputation as a hotspot for hosting events. Indianapolis has become increasingly popular, with countless posts on LinkedIn from companies hiring, brands moving to the Circle City, and young professionals launching their lives in the city.

In fact, Indianapolis has made it onto LinkedIn's inaugural list of "cities on the rise".

Pellman credits the city's ability to seamlessly host large events like this weekend's combination of the WNBA All-Star Game and Indiana Black Expo to its "speed and collaboration"."

"This weekend is really the result of Indy's two superpowers, which are speed and collaboration, but now with the WNBA All-Star game married with Indiana Black Expo, I mean, what an amazing opportunity to combine two major events in our downtown core, and also across pollinate those things across the arts across culture," Pellman said.

To make it onto LinkedIn's list of "cities on the rise", cities had to demonstrate more than just economic growth. The company analyzed hiring data and home prices to identify emerging spots around the U.S.

Pellman attributes Indianapolis' success to its implementation of key tools, including lifeinindy.com, which connects people with Indy-fluencers who meet one-on-one with potential residents or those who have moved here and want a deeper connection to the community.

This weekend's event also showcased the city's appeal to brands. Many major companies, such as Nike, Gatorade, and Coach, created new experiences in downtown Indianapolis, not only showcasing the city to the country but also to the world.