No, we're not in the tourism business

Earlier this month, Pattern hit the road for the Indiana Tourism Association’s annual conference up in Fort Wayne. The days were filled with conversations about storytelling, marketing, sports, and no surprise, the value of investing in local economies and building cross-sector communities. 

Before you hang up because you think Indiana tourism has nothing to do with you, hear us out. 

We showed up at the Indiana Tourism Conference because we know the creative economy fuels the kind of vibrant, memorable experiences that drive tourism. Yes, sports venues and sleek hotels matter—but if we want visitors to stay longer, spend more, and come back again, we need thriving arts, culture, and creative commerce. That’s why Pattern is pushing for smart, strategic investment in Indiana’s creative sectors.

Galleries, live music, movie-making & film festivals, makerspaces, public art, design studios—these things build culture, and culture builds curiosity. The tourism pros already get this (and what a joy it is being around folks who get it). They know what makes a place worth visiting. They’ve seen firsthand that it’s not just about foot traffic—it’s about vibe, storytelling, and memory-making.

When We Build for Visitors, Locals Win Too

You may or may not care that Indy is ranked the “#1 Convention City in the U.S.” But the continued investment tied to that status is already reshaping the city for the better—whether you’re hosting a conference or heading out on a Saturday night.

Projects like the redevelopment of Circle Centre Mall into an open-air entertainment and residential district, or the expansion of the Cultural Trail, are technically tourism infrastructure. But—they make everyday life better for all of us. More places to gather, better design, and a city that actually invites people to explore it.

When we create a place worth coming to, we create a place worth living in. That’s not just a feel-good idea—it’s practical, efficient, and smart. Building with visitors in mind improves quality of life, supports local businesses, and helps attract the kind of talent and energy Indiana needs.

Tourism pros know what works. They’ve been tracking what draws people in and makes them want to stay. It’s important to make sure their voice is included in as many conversations about economic development and talent retention—because they’re already doing the work.

And since we’re talking about a tourism conference in Fort Wayne, we have to shout out a few stops we made as tourists ourselves! 

• Nawa Thai - While the conference food was surprisingly good, we still ducked out for dinner on a destination block called The Landing.

• Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory - An indoor garden directly across the street from the convention center? Yeah, you couldn’t stop us. 

• Fort Wayne Mural Walk - This city is known for its ever-expanding public gallery of murals and installations. We’re obsessed and jealous and loved every minute of it. 

• Hyde Brothers Books - Floor to high-ceiling shelves with a rolling ladder, more used books than you could possibly wrap your mind around . . . and store cats! 

In other Pattern news, Laurel Judkins and Brian Payne recently joined our Board of Directors. These two humans, well, honestly, it’s probably better if we don’t get started about how awesome they are—because we’d never shut up.

Suffice it to say, we’re excited to have ‘em along for the ride.

And speaking of tourism, did you know that a thriving film industry can have a massive impact on tourism?

Places like Forks, WA saw a surge in visitors after Twilight, and Montana welcomed millions more visitors thanks to Yellowstone. Film doesn't just tell stories—it draws people in, boosts local economies, and puts communities on the map.

With momentum building across the Midwest (in part due to film industry folks fleeing LA), now is the time to make sure filmmakers feel welcome in Indiana—and that emerging Hoosier talent sees a future here. That’s why this year we hosted The State of Film, and rolled out a series of workshops through our SPACE (Strategic Plan for Advancement of Creative Entrepreneurs) program, with this year’s focus on Film and Music. Whether you’re an industry pro or just starting out, these workshops are designed to help you thrive right here at home.

P.S. SB306 is slowly making its way through the House, and we’re keeping all fingers (and toes) crossed. If it passes, Indiana will finally have its first-ever transferable tax credit—a huge step toward building the infrastructure this industry needs.

This series is in partnership with Hoodox, 12 Stars Media, Heartland Film, and Film Indy—with thanks to the Herb Simon Family Foundation and the Samerian Foundation for making it possible!

And while we’re talking about film, a few more things to share with your friends!

Applications for the Indiana Youth Film Festival close on April 1 (no joke). But if you’re between 12-24 years old and an Indiana resident with a recent film burning a hole in your laptop, you’ve still got a couple of days! Check out the details.

For the rest of us, keep an eye out for viewing, volunteering, and sponsoring opportunities for these local stars!

This year marks the eighth iteration of the Pitch Clinic and its first collaboration with Indy Film Fest. The event will take place on Tuesday, April 29, at 6:30 PM at The Box Media Space.

With a focus on empowering filmmakers through feedback, networking, and impactful awards, the Indy Pitch Clinic serves as a platform for local and out-of-state filmmakers with a strong connection to Indiana. 

Participants will hone their pitching skills, gain recognition, and have the opportunity to win valuable awards that will directly support their creative endeavors.

Creative entrepreneurship is gaining traction—and fast. 

In just the past few weeks, new programs have launched or been spotlighted across cities like Chattanooga, Roseville, Buffalo, and even in higher ed institutions like the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning at the University of Cincinnati. This uptick in attention and action is a great sign—what used to be a niche conversation is becoming a national one. More people are recognizing the value of creativity as not just cultural enrichment, but as economic development.

With that in mind, we’re excited to share the resource below!

P.S. We love these guys, and appreciate their support of our Mission & Vision. If you would like to support our work with your tax deductible donation, we’d LOVE that!