Swift Success For Indianapolis

It's amazing that no one even encountered anybody who was homeless. Before Swift we had this giant homelessness issue and then magically, we didn't.

It’s amazing how a big national event like the Taylor Swift Eras Tour coming to town can sweep away issues that have gone unresolved for years.

Tony Katz:

Yes. Taylor Swift came to town. Yes, we made a very big deal out of it. Yes, it bothered some people. I think that’s a mistake. Did we make the money? Did we garner new business from it? That’s what I care about… It wasn’t about Taylor Swift. It was about being a cultural event… People came to Indianapolis from all around the globe. They spent their money, they had a good time. It’s amazing that no one even encountered anybody who was homeless. Ohh how did that happen? It’s like at one moment we had this giant homelessness issue and then magically we didn’t. What happened? I don’t know Fred Willard but I’m pretty sure it involves some high stakes shenanigans.

How come the city can clean up under the national spotlight, but leaves regular Hoosiers to deal with the crime and blight when the spotlight leaves town?

Tony Katz:

Deal with the issues, not just when we have events. Be better leaders. That’s to you, too civic leaders. You’re not doing Indianapolis any favors. You talk about triumphs, and you talk about these opportunities, but you don’t talk about the daily things. You act like they don’t exist. They exist. Civic leaders need to actually be leaders and speak out about things that are happening that are bad for the city. I’m thrilled that Swift was here, and we made a lot of money off of it. I think it’s super smart that the organizations that work to bring business are very well managed. Come see Taylor Swift, come see how we do the event. They’re trying to secure what is it? … half a billion dollars in business and convention business and other stuff. Show off… good stuff. But when you have a homeless situation, when you have a crime issue, when you have an issue with a growing a city, when you have a sexual harassment issue that Joe Hogsett clearly has through his inability to lead, you say something.