Post your 2012 Superbowl ideas for Indianapolis

[Michael R.]

A dunk tank with Belichick. Kidding, sorta.

Beer stations with something OTHER than light beer i.e. local breweries such as Upland, Broad Ripple Brewpup, Barley Island Brewing Company of Noblesville, etc. Wine, too, could be included--Oliver Winery, Chateau Thomas, Easley Winery, others.

Food from local independent restaurants to show visitors that Indiana has more to offer than Tenderloins--not that there's anything wrong with tenderloins.

Something that would be great for the athlete in all of us would be some kind of football skills-challenge course. Something similar to the ones they show on ESPN on occasion. It could have different age groups and different skill level groups and people could compete for prizes.

Something else that would be fun is if the city of Indy could hook something up to where local Indiana residents as well as those visiting for the Bowl could have the opportunity to meet some of the celebrities, athletes, ex-athletes, sports personalities, etc. Maybe some kind of meet and greet or photo op or dinner event. This idea would be great if it wasn't made out to be exclusive to people with a lot of money, if you know what I mean.

Another idea I just came up with would be some kind of football game show where locals and visitors could compete with/against football personalities. Maybe something like a football Jeopardy.

Lastly, it would be nice if some local Indy filmmakers were given the opportunity to make an "Official" documentary of the weeklong Superbowl celebration. They could be given press passes, or whatever they would need to gain access to all things Superbowl. Then, it could be shown in local theaters perhaps, purchased on DVD, etc. Pretty limitless options with this idea IMO.

Essentially, Indianapolis wants to be looked at as a destination for tourism, businesses, etc. If they don't make the most out of a Superbowl opportunity, then shame on them. Making a Superbowl in this city a fun and memorable experience could pay dividends for years to come and would most certainly include another Superbowl hosting opportunity. It's a great opportunity to try and lure businesses to Indy/Indiana as new jobs are always welcome in a lackluster economy.

[Michael R.]

Great ideas, Kevin. We need to get someone from the Indianapolis Superbowl committee on SmallerIndiana so we can share our ideas with them. Kevin, do you participate on the forums of Colts.com?

[Ryan Wilcox]

I like the idea of a league of filmmakers shooting footage that week to compile a documentary at production, but I think it would be best suited in a viral, social media format. I don't think people are going to buy it. But it could be a good opportunity to showcase different aspects of life in Indy, aside from the pleasures of alcohol and tenderloins.

How about some decent music acts at the Super Bowl, instead of washed-up, lip-syncing hacks? Doesn't have to be local, just worth putting on stage.

[Michael R.]

People would buy it, trust me. It would be the first of its kind so it would most definitely be a seller. Of course, it would help to have it talked about and hyped up by local/national media beforehand.

[Taylor Martin]

Use local entertainers over national acts at all events outside of the Field. I have at least a dozen magicians, jugglers, fireaters, and a sword swallower who should work the street for the event. The musicians in this town deserve the gigs, too. Make sure the Colts Cheerleaders, who work for very little money, get used and get PAID!!

Also, an eligible bachelor auction to raise money to cover the CIB budget shortfall. I'm serious. I'm sure there's a few Colts players that would be glad to help out. Unless they are in the Super Bowl. When was the last time a home team was in the S.B.? The city should use the event to pay for the field and pay it off.

THM

[Michael R.]

It would be great if they had a couple of sound stages where local music acts could perform and they could also have national acts (read: Mellancamp). They should do a bachelorette auction with the Colts cheerleaders and the cheerleaders of the visiting teams (assuming the Colts aren't in the Bowl). I would totally bid on some of the San Diego cheerleaders:)

[Chris Doyle]

michael said...
Beer stations with something OTHER than light beer i.e. local breweries such as Upland, Broad Ripple Brewpup, Barley Island Brewing Company of Noblesville, etc. Wine, too, could be included--Oliver Winery, Chateau Thomas, Easley Winery, others.

has anyone thought to float this idea by any of these folks:
Brewers of Indiana Guild;
Indiana Restaurants Assoc.;
Indiana Licensed Beverage Assoc.;
Indiana Wine Grape Council?

michael said...
Something that would be great for the athlete in all of us would be some kind of football skills-challenge course. Something similar to the ones they show on ESPN on occasion.

i believe the nfl sets up a suberbowl village with these sorts of activities...i remember seeing them on tv during the colts' superbowl visit to miami


michael said...
Something else that would be fun is if the city of Indy could hook something up to where local Indiana residents as well as those visiting for the Bowl could have the opportunity to meet some of the celebrities, athletes, ex-athletes, sports personalities, etc. Maybe some kind of meet and greet or photo op or dinner event.

surely a local charity would be ALL OVER an event of this type...they could sell dinner plates at a discount to make it affordable, as you say, but hit up corporate sponsors for the big bucks...again the nfl-approved charities probably have events like this planned and there could be restrictions...but if you did it separate from the superbowl, i think it could be done during the event, so long as you don't run into too much direct competition...then again, no one else is doing "affordable" red carpet events

i like the ideas you've presented...here's one that i've been contemplating...

setting up a website that caters to tourists who aren't looking for the standard fare (i.e. Hampton Inn, IHOP and Mickey D's), selling ads on the site, and promoting it through travel agents, superbowl-related forums, blogs, social media, etc...

i'd like to see us continue brainstorming this idea...there's going to be LOTS of money pumped into the local economy...no reason those of us with a creative, entrepenuerial bent shouldn't cash in!