Set against the spectacular backdrop of the 44th Drum Corps International World Championship, DCI Executive Director and CEO Dan Acheson joined with Indianapolis mayor Greg Ballard and Visit Indy President and CEO Leonard Hoops this morning to announce a 10-year contract extension with the City of Indianapolis. The agreement will keep the DCI World Championships and headquarters offices in the city through 2028.

Since locating its headquarters in Indianapolis in 2008, Drum Corps International has brought hundreds of thousands of performers and their fans to town for World Championships Week festivities as well as for many other events throughout the year. The initial 10-year commitment has translated into millions and millions of dollars for the city in tourism, entertainment, hospitality services, retail, and multiple other economic sectors. 

The new contract is a win-win for DCI and for Indianapolis.

Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard said, “The City of Indianapolis is proud to be home to Drum Corps International’s headquarters and annual World Championships. We are especially appreciative of the strong partnership that has developed since moving DCI here, and we are excited to continue building on that relationship over the next 10 years.”

Ballard continued, “To have the opportunity to host more than 30,000 future leaders each August for the World Championships is a tremendous benefit for our city, our hospitality community, and our business leaders.”

Drum Corps International Executive Director & CEO Dan Acheson said, “We are pleased to extend our commitment to Indianapolis and continue the many mutually beneficial relationships we enjoy here. Since our founding in 1972, Drum Corps International has been furthering our mission to provide a life-changing experience for young people through the art of marching music performance. The City of Indianapolis provides the perfect environment for our performance and education organization to do just that.”

Acheson added, “We will continue to expand our worldwide activities and pledge to contribute even more to the cultural community here in Indianapolis as we continue to grow and increase the vast economic impact our events generate.” 

Visit Indy President & CEO Leonard Hoops stated, “The World Championships have a significant impact on Central Indiana, and DCI’s partnership with Indy will generate more than $115 million in economic impact over the next decade. This event annually brings thousands of talented and passionate drum and bugle corps performers—and their friends, families, and fans—to Indy while helping support the more than 75,000 people in our region who benefit from tourism for a paycheck. Over the course of a year, Lucas Oil Stadium will host more days of competitive marching music events than it will football games. When we built the stadium in 2008, we were the first city in the country to design the environment with marching music in mind.”

The 10-year extension guarantees that DCI will maintain its international headquarters in the city, providing jobs and economic impact year-round while focusing national and international interest on Indianapolis.  DCI’s extensive traditional marching music opportunities involve thousands and thousands of young people in Indiana, the nation, and the world. In addition, innovative new programs provide more musicians in more venues with the opportunity to participate in sanctioned performance events to showcase their talents.

Acheson concluded, “The future is bright for Drum Corps International. We are honored to continue to call Indianapolis home as DCI grows and brings even more national and international events to the city. We appreciate our association with the Mayor’s Office and with Visit Indy and look forward to another 10 years of excitement, growth, stability and success.”