Indiana Tourism, Do it Best, WNBA at 30

Indiana's tourism economy hit nearly $17 billion in visitor spending in 2024, welcoming 83 million visitors across the state. From Holiday World and Splashin' Safari's $22 million Cannonball Water Coaster to Indiana Dunes National Park drawing travelers from Chicago and Detroit, the state is positioning tourism as a core economic development strategy, not just a leisure draw.Amy Howell, interim CEO of the Indiana Destination Development Corporation, discusses the "playcation" trend, competition from neighboring states with larger marketing budgets, and what makes Indiana's offerings distinct, from French Lick to the Pete Dye Golf Trail.Fort Wayne-based Do it Best Group is moving True Value's headquarters from Chicago to its Electric Works campus, creating a unified home for the world's largest home improvement cooperative, serving more than 8,000 retailers in 60 countries. CEO Dan Starr explains why Indiana's business climate drove the decision.Also covered: Patrick Industries and LCI Industries merging in Elkhart, Kimball Electronics acquiring a Netherlands company for $100 million, the Chicago Bears' ongoing site evaluation in Hammond, the WNBA at 30 with league pioneer Val Ackerman and Indiana Fever president Kelly Krauskopf, and how Eli Lilly funded all-terrain trackchairs now available at all 37 Indiana state parks.