For more than a decade, Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick has been the state's most-watched local business television program. Each week, the program focuses on the people, companies and issues making headlines in Indiana and beyond. For decision makers in Indiana, it is appointment television.

Friday, May 11, 2012

TOP STORY: TOURISM SEASON KICKS OFF
Becky Skillman, Lieutenant Governor, State of Indiana
Summer tourism season is officially open in Indiana. Every year the state welcomes millions of people to come enjoy our parks, museums, festivals and more. The industry is a big part of the Indiana economy. Gerry Dick recently sat down with Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman at the Indiana State Museum to talk about the economic impact and six new delicious trip ideas.

FORT WAYNE CHILDREN'S ZOO
Dan O'Connell, President and CEO, Visit Fort Wayne
The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo is northeast Indiana's largest tourist attraction hosting more than 500,000 guests annually. The zoo is consistently named one of the nation's Top Ten Zoos for Kids by national media outlets. Last month, the zoo opened for its 48th season with zoo babies, new animals and upgraded guest amenities.
he automotive industry

FRENCH LICK RESORT
Doug May, Director of Marketing, French Lick Resort
The French Lick Resort is the result of a high profile, half billion dollar historic restoration and casino development project that includes the West Baden Springs Hotel, French Lick Springs Hotel and the French Lick Casino. There is also world class golf, spas and dining and entertainment options.

HOLIDAY WORLD & SPLASHIN' SAFARI
Dan Koch, President and Owner, Holiday World & Splashin' Safari
Holiday World & Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus opened its 66th season last weekend. The family-owned and operated combination theme park and water park is divided into four sections that celebrate Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July. Holiday World is known for its three wooden roller coasters: The Raven, The Legend, and The Voyage. The safari-themed water park includes the world's two longest water coasters: Wildebeest and Mammoth.

DAS DUTCHMAN ESSENHAUS
Lance Miller, President and CFO, Jim Fisher, as Essenhaus Foods Manager
It's considered the largest family restaurant in Indiana. Das Dutchman Essenhaus has been serving Amish-style meals for more than 40 years in Middlebury. The tourism destination also includes a charming inn and conference center, a home style bakery, gift shops and wholesale foods. And now, the Essenhaus can add winner of the 2012 Will Koch Indiana Tourism Leadership Award to its profile.

FAIR OAKS FARMS
Gary Corbett, CEO, Fair Oaks Farms
One of the largest family-owned dairy farms in the country is located in northwest Indiana. Fair Oaks Farms produces award-winning cheeses, bottled milk and gourmet ice cream. Visitors can observe the dairy process from start to finish, which includes 30-thousand cows being milked three times a day and 80 calves being born every day.

CLABBER GIRL
Teresa Shaffer, Executive Director of Public Relations, Clabber Girl Corp.
A family-owned business has been headquartered in Terre Haute for more than 150 years. Clabber Girl is not only the leading manufacturer of baking powder in the country, it also became a major tourist destination with the opening of its new ventures in 2002. Its historic building also includes a museum, bake shop, artisan coffee roasting business and culinary classroom.           

INSIDE INDIANA SPORTS: WALNUT CREEK GOLF COURSES
Randy Ballinger, Director, Walnut Creek Golf Courses
Walnut Creek Golf Courses is a public, 36-hole golf facility located in Marion and part of a trail of great golf courses along the I-69 corridor. It has two 18-hole golf courses: The Club Run Course and The Walnut Creek Course. It opened in 1970 and was designed by Randy Ballinger. He incorporated hills, woods, water and strategy to give challenging and interesting tests of golf. Midwest Living Magazine calls it a course where you don't have to be an expert to play.  

THE INSIDERS
Amy Vaughn, Director, Indiana Office of Tourism Development, Lisa Townsend, Vice President of Marketing and External Relations, The Children's Museum of Indianapolis and Laura Libs, Director of Marketing & Communications, Evansville Convention & Visitors Bureau
Each week a group of Insiders joins me to offer perspective on the week's top stories. This week we're continuing our focus on the business of tourism… from the economic impact to how social media plays a big role in the industry.