Awards

IU Indianapolis Spirit of Philanthropy Award - 2003

About William K. McGowan

William K. “Bill” McGowan was the president and CEO of the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association (now Visit Indy) from 1984 to 2002. But even before that, as a volunteer and community advocate, McGowan was involved in many of Indianapolis’ earliest efforts to be a sports, convention and tourism destination. McGowan worked alongside mayors, governors and other community leaders to help Indianapolis land the 1982 National Sports Festival and the 1987 Pan American Games. He also was instrumental in the early 1980s in helping pave the way for the construction of the Hoosier Dome, later renamed the RCA Dome, and then replaced by Lucas Oil Stadium.

McGowan also attended numerous NFL owners’ meetings and was a big part of the city’s effort to land an NFL franchise. McGowan was part of the team that helped Indianapolis land its first Final Four in 1980 and bring the event back in 1991. During his tenure, the city saw dramatic growth in its convention business, with McGowan helping orchestrate a $43 million, two-story expansion of the Indiana Convention Center in 1993. He still serves on the Visit Indy board of directors and is considered by many to be the dean of the Indianapolis convention and tourism industry. For his efforts, four governors (Otis Bowen in 1975, Bob Orr in 1983, Evan Bayh in 1993 and Frank O’Bannon in 2002) bestowed him with the state’s highest award, the Sagamore of the Wabash.

In addition to his efforts in making Indianapolis an destination for conventions and special events, he and his wife, Joan, have been equally dedicated to providing the city with a trained, skilled workforce. To that end, they established the William and Joan McGowan Endowed Scholarship for IUPUI students studying Tourism Management.