INDIANAPOLIS — Head downtown and you'll find something you haven't seen in months, all sorts of activity in and around the Indiana Convention Center.
More than 9,000 people are in town for the Tournament of Champions, the AAU girls basketball tournament.
"This is a big event to help us bounce back and get us back on track," Chris Gahl from Visit Indy said.
It's not a huge event, but it does have nearby hotels once again welcoming guests. Gahl said it's also expected to generate about $8 million in economic impact.
The tournament has been held in Chicago for roughly 20 years, but this year it had to find a new venue because of the COVID-19 restrictions in Illinois.
Amanda Ewing, director of event operations for Tournament of Champions, said because of the pandemic it's much smaller this year. Instead of more than 700 teams competing, there are 286, most from around the Midwest.
"The goal here was not to have the most people it was to accommodate teams safely," Ewing said.
Ewing said she felt comfortable working with Visit Indy and liked the safeguards they put in place.
The plan includes 22 sealed off exhibit halls used for basketball courts with each space limited to 250 people and every person counted as they come and go. And for the first time, no spectators, only coaches, players and two parents or guardians with each girl.
The rules require that masks be work at all times except when players are on the court. The hallways are marked and divided to keep people moving in one direction with regular cleaning of doors, handles and railings.
Several signs say: "Enter at your own risk."
"We reminded people that if you don't think you should be playing here because of risks please don't come," Ewing said. "We've really been working on overkill to keep things clean and safe."
"There's always some reservation, but at some point you say ... it's for the kids," Danelle Dille, who is in town with her daughter from Minnesota.
"I thought it was great to come because we were getting together for a couple of practices but really needed to play and get the experience," Riley Bradord, playing with the Tennessee Lady Blazers said.
Riley's mom, Tara Bradford, said she feels like the organizers have done all they could due in regards to safety precautions.
The mental aspect of everything being shut down and everything canceled, it was invaluable for these girls to come and do what they've been working so hard to do," Tara said.
Gahl said hosting the group is a big first step.
"We're now able to go to others on the fence and say we know you were wondering if Indianapolis is ready, well now we have the visual and actual proof that (we're ready) to do conventions and events," she said.
Indy has lost 230 conventions worth $300 million because of the pandemic. But one it's largest, PRI is still a go for year's end. That's as Visit Indy continues to pursue other groups.