Pacers execs spent time in Chicago this weekend to "see how the city" was hosting the All-Star Weekend and "wrap up their final leg of homework" before Indianapolis hosts the event next year, according to Dana Hunsinger Benbow of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR. Pacers Sports & Entertainment Senior VP/Facility Operations and '21 NBA All-Star Local Organizing Committee President Mel Raines was "part of a crew that traveled to Toronto and New Orleans" for the Pacers' games when the team was "thinking of bidding on the All-Star Game." Once Indianapolis knew it was getting the '21 game, Raines and others "went to L.A. and then Charlotte last year." Meanwhile, organizers "aren't giving away any great secrets, yet, for the city's All-Star game next year." the plans are to "re-create a fan experience like the city saw" when it hosted Super Bowl XLVI. Pacers President & COO Rick Fuson said that the plans to "re-create a fan experience like the city saw" when it hosted Super Bowl XLVI are "already in the works" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 2/16). The INDIANAPOLIS STAR's Benbow wrote Super Bowl Village in '12 was a "magnet to fans for nearly two weeks." and All-Star Game organizers have "similar ideas." Organizers said that the city's compact downtown area "makes for an ideal place to put on big events" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 2/15).
