Volleyball Festival spikes local economy

The Volleyball Festival that begins in Reno this month is project to pump at least $28 million directly in the region's economy.

The event, which runs June 26 through July 2, will draw an estimated 10,000 girls aged 12-18 who will play in the tournament.

The crowd also will include about 10,000 parents, 1,400 coaches, 200 college recruiters and 450 paid staff.

Thirty five hotels and motels in the region will house participants and other visitors a total of more than 45,000 room nights.

Games will be played at the Reno- Sparks Convention Center, Lawlor Events Center and a converted warehouse in Sparks.

The finals will be televised on Fox.

The event is one of the largest ever landed by the Reno Sparks Convention and Visitors center.

The Volleyball Festival has a five-year contract with Reno extending through 2008.

The Volleyball Festival, which was created by entrepreneurs in California, is the world's largest annual women's sporting event.

Its number of participants is only slightly smaller than the Summer Olympics.