Facility earns rave reviews from fans, families, tournament organizers

Cali Green had paced just a few steps from sipping her cup of coffee in the lobby of the Rocky Mount Event Center on Saturday when the questions began coming her way.

“Excuse me, do you know where the tournament desk is?” a man asked.

“Can you help me find the athletic trainer?” an athlete inquired.

It was just after 7 a.m. on another busy weekend for the facility, which was the site of the Rocky Mount Grand Prix Volleyball Tournament as well as corporate and community events. A combination of 140 boys’ and girls’ teams came to the Twin Counties during a two-day period where all 16 volleyball courts were full of high-jumping athletes as well as their cheering family members. That’s par for the course for a facility that has generated an estimated $9 million in economic impact through the first quarter of 2024.

“There are always lots of questions — really about any and everything,” said a smiling Green, who serves as catering and conventions manager.

A few minutes later, Green was summoned to the Event Center’s parking lot, which was filling up quickly before the start of 8 a.m. matches. A parking lot attendant needed cash for change, and Green spent a few minutes checking on the staff before heading back inside to juggle the weekend’s responsibilities.

“It leaves you in awe some days when you see downtown Rocky Mount full of cars,” Green said. “Our team is determined to make sure people are enjoying their experience. We thrive off customer service.”

Anne De Fontenay spent her first weekend in Rocky Mount supporting her son’s team from Fairfax, Va. She said she looks for simple accommodations when she attends tournaments with her son, and felt as if Rocky Mount met expectations with its concessions stands offerings as well as overhead viewing for games.

“The Event Center is beautiful,” De Fontenay said. “I’m really happy with the courts, the bleachers, and everything has been top-notch.”

It’s a theme that was echoed by Chris Riley, owner of Atlantic Coast Events, which has brought teams to Rocky Mount for the past four years. Riley said Rocky Mount’s location is an ideal drive for teams that from North Carolina and Virginia. While that is just one factor, Riley said he books yearly with the Event Center because of the staff’s professionalism.

“We have 30 plus events we run, but the facility is great, and the people are great,” Riley said. “We like coming here. People have a lot of choices with these events. How you treat and handle them will keep people coming back. I don’t have any hassles at all when I come here.”

While she communicated by phone, walkie-talkie and in-person greetings, Events Coordinator Keorra Taylor kept tabs on the volleyball tournament and kept an eye on preparations for an evening dinner that McLane Company, Inc. was holding for its drivers. The Edgecombe Banquet Room was already decorated for 200 guests from McClane, who would later feast on appetizers, salmon and prime rib, among other offerings. Staff also welcomed the local chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, which held rehearsal for a scholarship banquet Saturday in the Nash Room prior to the main event on Sunday.

Taylor said the Event Center has athletics tournaments booked every weekend through July.

“I love the pace,” Taylor said. “I love how fast-paced it is. I’ve met so many clients from up and down the East Coast. The excitement and rush of the visitors who arrive before 8 a.m. … We’re here to provide the service to make sure they get as much as possible out of their stay.”