“Midwest Capital of Volleyball” to Host Championships and Annual Meeting at the Greater Columbus Convention Center and Hyatt Regency May 18-29
COLUMBUS (October 6, 2017) – USA Volleyball announced today site locations for three of its signature national championships events in 2019. Indianapolis, Dallas and Columbus will feature the top volleyball action in the country in 2019 for girls’, boys’ and adults’ national championships.
The 2019 USA Volleyball Open National Championships head to Columbus and will be held May 24-29 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The USA Volleyball Annual Meetings will also take place in Columbus May 18-24, the week leading up to the Open.
“After many years, USA Volleyball is excited to be returning to Columbus for the 2019 USA Volleyball Open National Championships,” USA Volleyball Senior Director Tom Pingel said. “Columbus has proven to be a wonderful host destination for volleyball and we know it will be a great event.”
The Open, formed in 1928 and run annually except two years due to World War II, will be in its 90th edition when it goes to Columbus (2018 Opens will be in Dallas). The Open typically draws 500 teams with 6,000-plus players converging on the host city. Players range in age from 18 to 80-plus with the oldest age division being the Men’s 79-and-Over bracket. Sport Court is the official athletic flooring for all three events.
Columbus hosted the Opens on three previous occasions (1930, 1952 and 2000). The city has hosted three other USA Volleyball National Championships since 2012. It was the site for the 2015 and 2017 Boys’ Junior National Championships as well as the 2012 Girls’ Junior National Championships. The Opens are estimated to generate nearly $6.5M in direct visitor spending, with more than 10,000 hotel room nights from the 6,000-plus players and 4,500 spectators.
“As long-time partners with the Ohio Valley Region, we are thrilled to continue our strong relationship with USA Volleyball in bringing the Open National Championships back to Columbus,” Greater Columbus Sports Commission Executive Director Linda Shetina Logan said. “Our city hosted The Open at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in 2000, and it opened the door for us to have the USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships in 2012 and the Boys’ Junior National Championships in 2015 and this year. We can’t wait to roll out the red carpet for all of the adult participants in 2019.”
“We are very excited about hosting this spectacular tournament again and adding to our legacy of successful adult volleyball tournaments in our facility,” said Greater Columbus Convention Center General Manager John R. Page. “We originally hosted this event in 2000 and look forward to welcoming the 2019 USA Volleyball Open National Championships to experience the $140 million transformation of our convention center and creating memorable experiences for their athletes and fans.”