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• Officials: Weak smoking ban hurts city's hospitality efforts 

The smoking-ban debate in this city and state is getting a new spark from a fired-up group of tourism and convention officials.

They're trying to light a fire under lawmakers, who have been reluctant to approve the kind of comprehensive smoking ban that health--and now tourism--officials say is needed here.

Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association CEO Don Welsh and other area tourism and convention officials say Indianapolis officials' unwillingness to strengthen anti-smoking legislation is imperiling the city's growing tourism trade. . . .

Welsh is far from alone in his concern.

Jeff Sweet, president of the Greater Indianapolis Hotel and Lodging Association and general manager of Hilton Indianapolis Hotel and Suites, said the complaints he hears from visitors about Indiana's smoking policies are becoming louder and more frequent. . . .

Dirk Ebener, CEO of Atlanta-based NuernbergMesse North America, which represents more than 100 trade shows globally, said a city's smoking policy has a major impact on its image. Ebener, who recently conducted a site inspection in Indianapolis, said the smoking in entertainment hot spots here is a definite drawback.

"There are a growing number of conventions in various sectors that definitely prefer a non-smoking city," Ebener said. "A city's smoking policy says a lot about it. It speaks to cleanliness of the city, demonstrates the health awareness of the city, and calls attention to its overall progressiveness." . . .

Mayor Greg Ballard has said he would veto such an ordinance if it reaches his desk.

That stand, Welsh said, is endangering a critical sector of convention business the ICVA is trying to develop.

. . .

Not everyone in the local convention and tourism sector favors strengthening the city's anti-smoking law. John Livengood, president of the Indiana Restaurant & Hospitality Association, said there's an intense divide among members of his organization.

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Our guests, quite frankly, are taken aback by the smoking in our city. There's no getting around it. It's starting to affect the city's image, and not in a good way. . . . In order to be perceived as being a more progressive city, we have to have a smoking ban.
Jeff Sweet, president of the Greater Indianapolis Hotel and Lodging Association and general manager of Hilton Indianapolis Hotel and Suites.

There are a growing number of conventions in various sectors that definitely prefer a non-smoking city. A city's smoking policy says a lot about it. It speaks to cleanliness of the city, demonstrates the health awareness of the city, and calls attention to its overall progressiveness.
Dirk Ebener, CEO of Atlanta-based NuernbergMesse North America, which represents more than 100 trade shows globally.