Central Indiana offers a variety of winter attractions, including larger outdoor ice rinks like Noblesville's Federal Hill Commons Ice Plaza and Carmel's Ice at Center Green, which now features online ticketing. Avon Ice Rink introduces ice bumper cars, a mobile attraction by Premier Entertainment Group. Koteewi Run Seasonal Slopes in Hamilton County's Strawtown Koteewi Park is set to open for its second snow-tubing season, featuring a specialized hill with manmade snow and a tow line for tubes.

Restaurant week promotions such as Devour Indy and Savor Hamilton County have been driving customers to try new eateries in Indianapolis and surrounding areas. These events feature special fixed-price menus and discounts to attract adventurous diners. Participating restaurants, including Stompin Barley, Bluebeard, and LouVino, have reported increased revenue and customer traffic. The promotions, inspired by New York City's Restaurant Week, have been popular since their inception and are expanding to include more geographical locations. Restaurant owners and chefs see these events as opportunities to showcase their best work and hope for repeat visits from new customers. Sales data from Sysco's Cake technology indicates a significant revenue boost for participating restaurants.

Themed trivia nights are gaining popularity in Indianapolis, with local pubs like Claddagh Irish Pub and Tappers Arcade Bar hosting events that draw large crowds. These events focus on pop-culture topics such as 'Friends', 'Harry Potter', and 'Game of Thrones'. Whiz Trivia, a company founded by Kaitlyn Hayes and Nicole Risacher, specializes in organizing these trivia nights. The events are known for their engaging atmosphere and have become a way for pubs to attract new customers.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released final rules on employer-sponsored wellness programs, detailing compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Genetic Insurance Nondiscrimination Act. The rules, effective for plan years beginning January 1, 2017, apply to all wellness programs and include limitations on spousal incentives and prohibitions on incentives for children. Industry experts advise employers to review their wellness programs in light of these regulations and do not anticipate a negative impact on the investment in well-being programs.

Kristen Booth, director of benefits at Lakeland Regional Health, successfully implemented ALEX, a virtual benefits counselor, leading to over 80% of benefits-eligible employees using the tool and increases in benefits enrollment across almost every line of coverage. Booth's efforts earned her a Dig|Benefits Technology Innovator Award, and she will be honored at the Dig|Benefits conference in Austin, Texas.

Mike Levin, co-founder of Vericred, has been recognized with a Dig|Benefits Technology Innovator Award for his work in creating a centralized database of health provider information. Vericred, launched in 2014, aims to facilitate employee benefits management through technology, offering transparency and tools for individuals to manage their benefits. The company was a finalist in a challenge by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and U.S. Health and Human Services in 2015 and has recently raised $3.1 million in a second round of seed financing to expand its data services and scale sales efforts.

Health Savings Account (HSA) enrollment has increased by 10.7% since 2014, while employer contributions have remained stagnant or decreased, influenced by the impending Cadillac tax of the Affordable Care Act. The tax encourages high-deductible health plans due to lower premiums but discourages high contributions to HSAs. Industry-specific data shows government employers as the most generous contributors to HSAs, while the accommodation/food services industries contribute the least. The utilities sector has the lowest and declining HSA enrollment. Employers are predicted to continue reducing HSA contributions in favor of health reimbursement arrangements.

Hixme, a technology company based in California, has launched a platform targeting large employers to facilitate employee access to the retail health insurance marketplace using employer contributions. The company, started in 2014, allows employees to purchase individual plans directly from carriers, not through public exchanges. Hixme's CEO, Denny Weinberg, believes that individual ownership is the future of employee benefits. The company's technology manages funds flow between carriers and benefit plans, offering a transition from group insurance to the individual market. Hixme is currently active in California and plans to expand to other states, competing with large benefits consulting firms.

Indiana Landmarks, an Indianapolis-based preservation group, is close to reaching its $25 million fundraising goal for the 'Saving Meaningful Places' campaign. The campaign, which began in 2010, will support the Indiana Landmarks Center project, fund acquisition and restoration projects, and enhance grant programs. The Cook family from Bloomington contributed $15.7 million towards the headquarters project. Funds will also support the Endangered Places Acquisition Fund and special initiatives like the National Preservation Conference in Indianapolis. The Stadium Lofts project, a development by Core Redevelopment, is a notable part of the campaign.