Amy Bartner

amy.bartner@indystar.com

Gen Con, the city's largest convention and the country's largest gaming gathering, will remain in Indianapolis until at least 2021, convention and city officials announced Tuesday.

Gen Con moved to Indianapolis in 2003, and organizers had been eyeing a possible move to another city. Indianapolis and Gen Con last signed a contract in 2011, stating it would remain in Indianapolis through 2020. After a two-year negotiation, Gen Con has pledged to remain in the city until 2021 "and beyond," said Chris Gahl, vice president of marketing for Visit Indy, the city's tourism office.

"Why that's big news is Gen Con was shopping other cities for 2021," Gahl said. "Good business says that you want to go through the process of seeing if other cities are capable, but they'll be safe and sound in Indianapolis."

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In April 2015, Gen Con organizers threatened to leave the city after 2020's contract extension if Gov. Mike Pence signed the controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

"Gen Con was out in front on that issue and certainly has been reassured through the local human rights ordinance on our books," Gahl said. "We know that their commitment to Indianapolis is based on the city's hospitality, infrastructure and the entire package that we're able to provide."

The convention will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2017. In 2016, the convention had a record number of attendees, with more than 200,000, up 2.5 percent from 2015. It has an economic impact of more than $70 million on the city, Gahl said.

Gen Con threatens to move convention if Gov. Mike Pence signs religious freedom bill

"As Gen Con has grown, Indianapolis has grown," he said. "We would have been devastated if another city had gained their business, so there's a sense of honor, a sense of pride and a sense of relief that Gen Con is committing to Indianapolis. We don't take their business for granted."

Gen Con 2017 will be Aug. 17-20.

"We're thrilled," Gen Con spokeswoman Stacia Kirby said. "We love Indianapolis."

Call IndyStar reporter Amy Bartner at (317) 444-6752. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.