Super Bowl worth at least $155 mil. to city

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The Super Bowl is over but its effects on the Circle City may be long lasting. According to the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association the four day event had a $155 million economic impact on the city. ICVA says that is a conservative total that will likely go up after a final study is completed.

“We will continue to use this iconic event as a perpetual ice breaker to say to a meeting and convention planner, if we can host the Super Bowl, we are confidant we can host your meeting or convention” said Chris Gahl, ICVA Vice President of marketing and Communications.

Gahl said Indianapolis' image as a place to throw a party and hold a big event has never been better. The ICVA is working hard to capitalize on the positive buzz.

Pictures and videos of the big crowds on Georgia Street, the excitement of the zipline and the sprawling NFL Experience inside the expanded Convention Center will now be used as marketing tools to attract new conventions.

Gahl said it's working. One meeting planner who was here over the weekend wants the city to write up a proposal.

"Hopefully it will become fruitful to the tune of $25-35 million in future economic impact," Gahl said.

It’s not just new convention business the City is going after. Mayor Greg Ballard spent time wooing business CEOs during the run up to the Super Bowl, even during the game itself.

“We certainly do have great image right now. That was certainly what we were trying to do. At the end of the day this is about attracting creative, great talent to the City of Indianapolis so we are looking at whatever we can do in that regard” Ballard said.