Star Wars to Studebakers: What's coming to Indiana cities this year? (Meetings & Conventions).

Cities across the state capitalize on Indiana's centralized location to attract national and regional conventions. Within a day's drive for two-thirds of the country's population, Indiana is an appealing option for those who would rather drive than fly.

Lots of vintage car aficionados

will be driving to South Bend, when the Studebaker Drivers Club's 38th International Meet descends on the city June 23-28 to help celebrate the 150th anniversary of their favorite car manufacturer. Started as a blacksmith shop in South Bend in 1852, Studebaker closed its automobile manufacturing plant in the city in 1963, although the car was produced for a few more years in Canada.

Three- to four-thousand people are expected to attend the special event, says Carolyn Wallace, director of sales and convention services for the South Bend/Mishawaka Convention and Visitors Bureau. Many more are expected for other 150th anniversary events throughout the year.

With the opening in Mishawaka of an Extended Stay America in December and a Red Roof Inn next month, South Bend/Mishawaka hotel rooms will total 4,000, nearly double the 'number in 1995. And with a convention center that can accommodate 3,000, the greater South Bend area is poised to attract regional conventions, like the Christian Educators' Association Regional Conference in October, expected to bring in 1,500.

Twenty-five thousand seems to be a popular number for the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association this year. At least three events in the Indiana Convention Center/RCA Dome are expected to attract that many, including the Fire Department Instructor's Conference in April. This national trade show is wooed back year after year, and is the first firefighter's gathering since September 11, says Bob Shultz, director of communications for the association. "It's an impressive trade show with aerials. It's like an auto show, but for firemen."

Also expected to bring in 25,000 is Star Wars Celebration II, the first weekend in May, and the Church of God Convention in June, the city's biggest convention because it lasts six days. With 2,844 rooms in seven hotels connected directly to the Convention Center, many of the attendees will be weatherproof. More than 21,000 rooms are available citywide.

In Terre Haute, the World Hovercraft Championships will be held on the Wabash River Nov. 20-23, billed as "The Greatest Hovercraft Event in World History." Twenty countries will be represented at the championship races, which will follow a world speed record attempt event. Earlier in the week, an International Air Cushion Vehicle Technical Conference will be held at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.