USA Today Ranks Indianapolis Best Convention City

Indiana made national headlines again this week, this time for its state capital being crowned the top convention city in the United States.

According to a USA Today Reader’s Choice poll, Indianapolis is the best city in the nation for conventions. The Hoosier victory was determined after a four-week long social media poll of convention-goers and exhibitionists, who ultimately selected Indianapolis as the winner, followed by Boston and Nashville, Tennessee.

So, what was the determining factor that made Indianapolis stand out among 20 other nominees? Well, people gave the Indiana Convention Center extremely high marks for having hotels and restaurants within close proximity.

"If you're a football fan, it's pretty thrilling to be across the street from Andrew Luck and the Colts come fall,” states the website featuring the poll. It goes on to say, “the city is affordability and easy to get around, making Indy's convention center and its schedule all the more inviting."

Tourism officials say they are ecstatic about the recent poll results. "To have Indianapolis rank as the favorite convention city is certainly something we are proud of," said Chris Gahl, vice president of marketing and communication for Visit Indy. "It unquestionably will help us market the city and turn the attention of meeting planners and event planners toward Indianapolis."

Here is a full list of the Best Convention Cities:

1. Indianapolis, Ind.
2. Boston, Mass.
3. Nashville, Tenn.
4. Salt Lake City, Utah
5. Atlanta, Ga.
6. Denver, Colo.
7. New Orleans, La.
8. Washington, DC
9. Minneapolis, Minn.
10. Chicago, Ill.