12 Days Of USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championship At Indiana Convention Center Estimated To Result In A $59.3 Million Economic Impact For Indianapolis

June 28, 2022 (INDIANAPOLIS) – The Indiana Convention Center (ICC) began its 12-day run of hosting the Girls Junior National Volleyball (GJNC) championship games last Thursday, and the almost 1,600 registered teams and more than 60,000 expected players, families, and coaches are bringing with them an estimated $59.3 million impact on Central Indiana’s economy.

For context, the economic impact of GJNC is similar to that of GenCon, largely thanks to its long run.  GenCon has a similar economic impact but over the course of four days.

GJNC chose to host its championship in Indianapolis in part due to its central location and relatively easy drive for players and their family members.  The ICC is one of only a few facilities able to host such a large tournament, which requires enough column-free space to accommodate 81 volleyball courts.

2022 is the largest GJNC tournament USA Volleyball has seen to date and the “hours of operation” show it.  Doors open at 6:45am and, on nearly every day of the tournament, the first match begins at 8 a.m. and the last at 8 p.m. As a part of this year’s tournament, USA Volleyball is also hosting a combine for 14- to 17-year-olds.

In order to ensure that the facility is prepared to provide the amenities preferred by junior female volleyball players each year, the ICC works with partners–including Sodexo LIVE!, VisitIndy, the City of Indianapolis, and Downtown Indy Inc.–to develop a healthy and fun experience.

• For the volleyball championships, Sodexo Live! is debuting Ben’s Pretzels and providing acai bowls. “The acai bowls are not for everyone but because they are a mix of healthy foods like fruits, oatmeal and peanut butter, athletes love them.  There was a high demand the last time the ICC hosted a volleyball tournament, so we are bringing them back,” said Josh Vaught, General Manager of Sodexo Live!.  “While the volleyball tournament will be the first event for Ben’s Pretzels, we anticipate that they will be offered at most of, if not all, ICC events.”
• The Capital Improvement Board, which owns and operates the ICC, is also partnering with Downtown Indy Inc. and the City of Indianapolis to develop daily programming in a variety of areas around Indianapolis.

“We are fortunate to have partners who recognize that conventions and events come here not just for the physical space the Convention Center offers, but also for the experience Indianapolis offers,” said ICCLOS Executive Director Andy Mallon.  “They do work that makes us a great place to meet, get work done, and have fun.  It has to be a package deal in order for us to be successful, and when we are successful, Indianapolis and Indiana get a great economic return.”

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