Rocky Mount Events Center brings sports tourism boom

Over the weekend, Rocky Mount's normally quiet downtown district will become a vibrant destination for volleyball enthusiasts.

The Rocky Mount Event Center is set to host its 13th sporting event of the year and its second largest of all time.

The Grand Prix Volleyball Tournament will bring 140 volleyball teams to the center and an expected 3,000 guests or more.

The extra foot traffic will help local businesses like Kristie Kandies. Owner Kristie Hilliard said she always expects a rush of customers when the event center is full.

"Some days that door just opens and closes all day long," she said.

Hilliard is preparing candied grapes for hundreds of customers who frequent her shop during a busy weekend.

"We made a good move, right here beside the event center," she said.

General Manager David Joyner said having 5,000 guests at the center on any given day has become common.

The increase in tourists fill up hotels from Roanoke Rapids to Wilson.

"That's normal for us now," he said.

There is something for everyone, from children's play spaces to conference rooms to athletic facilities.

On a busy weekend, Joyner said the concession stand alone can do $50,000 in business.

"This is an experience. You aren't just going to a gym. You aren't just going to a facility. That is why we keep seeing the growth. People want to come here," he said.

The Wilson Elite Volleyball Club uses the 16 courts as its home gym. They can also be transformed into basketball and pickleball courts as needed.

Wilson Elite Volleyball Coach Tabitha Wilcox calls the facility a significant upgrade from their previous practice space.

"When this opened up, this was the opportunity of a lifetime for us," she said. "It is nice to have a home away from home."

Wilcox said it's exposed many students to a different way of life in eastern North Carolina, bringing in people from all places and providing a place for them to engage with others.

"We get some of our students in here as employees as well," she said. "It has just been a tremendous asset for the entire community."

The venue continuously brings in thousands of guests each weekend from states such as Georgia, South Carolina, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia and different regions of North Carolina.

Maylee Garner, a Wilson Elite player, said it feels like home.

"I've played at other facilities, and this is just such a clean and well-put-together facility. You just feel right at home here," she said.

The facility was built as an anchor for this community in 2018. Joyner said it is paying off.

"Sports tourism has proven from a data standpoint across the country to be recession-proof," he said. "You see it everywhere. Everywhere trying to build [something like this.]

The center hosted around 300 events last year. The event center's website keeps people updated with its activities.