As Indianapolis continues its rise as one of America’s most active convention and event destinations, demand for event space in Indianapolis is expected to hit record levels in 2026. Between major tourism momentum, new large-scale conferences, and a significant expansion of the Indiana Convention Center, organizations planning retreats, off-sites, tastings, or team-building events will face more competition than ever for available dates.
A Surge of Conventions and Business Travel Is Coming
Visit Indy recently reported that Indianapolis hosted over 400 conventions in just the first half of 2024 and was on track to surpass 700 conventions by year-end — one of the highest totals in the city’s history. Even more telling, the Indiana Convention Center expansion — adding 143,500 square feet of new space and a 50-story hotel tower — is scheduled to come online in mid-2026, designed explicitly to support rising convention demand.
What does this mean for businesses, associations, and event planners?
More conventions =
✔ more corporate groups in town
✔ more breakout sessions and off-site activities
✔ more competition for unique event venues
✔ fewer available dates at traditional downtown spaces
In short: event space in 2026 will be in high demand and booked earlier than usual.
Why Alternatives Matter: Not Every Event Belongs Downtown
While the Convention Center expansion strengthens downtown’s capacity, not all groups want or need a traditional hotel ballroom or conference room. Many planners are looking for:
- Retreat-style environments
- Outdoors-plus-indoors flexibility
- Distraction-free settings
- Spaces that inspire creativity and connection
That’s where The Speakeasy Barn, located in Fortville just outside Indianapolis, fills a growing gap.
The Speakeasy Barn: A Different Kind of Event Experience
As 2026 demand spikes, The Speakeasy Barn offers organizations something the city cannot: room to breathe.
Nestled minutes from Indianapolis but far enough to provide a meaningful escape, the barn is ideal for:
- Corporate retreats
- Strategic planning sessions
- Team-building events
- Farm-to-table dinners
- Private tastings
- Executive off-sites
- Uber/Lyft accessible
Planners get the advantages of proximity to the city — without the traffic, noise, or hotel-conference monotony.
Plan Early. Book Early. Secure Your 2026 Dates Now.
With Indianapolis preparing for a record year as the Convention Center expansion opens, groups who want something unique will need to secure their dates sooner than they might expect.
The takeaway for planners?
If you want fresh air, creative energy, and a venue that stands out, now is the time to reserve your 2026 event at The Speakeasy Barn before demand peaks.
Ready to plan a creative off-site that your team will actually look forward to?