INDIANAPOLIS -- Two major music conventions downtown over the weekend bring big bucks to Indianapolis, bolstering the city's reputation as a convention host.

The Bands of America Grand National Championships and the Percussive Arts Society International Convention brought in thousands of music makers and music lovers, 6News' Sarah Cornell reported.

The conventions also set the stage for years of new business downtown. PASIC committed to hold its annual convention in Indianapolis for the next three years after the organization moved its headquarters to the city.

"There are over 100-some concerts, clinics, master classes, panel discussions and presentations about percussive education research performance," said Jon Feustel, PASIC director of marketing.

Cities such as Louisville, Nashville and Austin, Texas, were hoping to land PASIC, but organizers chose Indianapolis because of its central location and the convenience factor.

"Most of the other places we have gone to with this convention, I've found that we end up driving around to get dinner and that kind of thing," said visitor Grand Dalton. "Here, we have not moved the car in three days."

When convention sessions concluded in the afternoon, visitors drummed up business in other parts of the city.

"Everyone is out fooling around and going places," said visitor Lori Fithian. "Every restaurant we went to was packed, hour and a half wait … so we ended up at Panera."

The Indiana Convention and Visitors Association estimated 6,000 people attend the percussive convention, generating $4 million in visitor spending. The Bands of America competition at Lucas Oil Stadium brings in 38,000 people and $9.5 million.

The ICVA hopes more music events will help the city become better known as a music hub and lead to more conventions.