Rocky Mount Event Center delivers excellence on and off the court

This article was written for our sponsor, Rocky Mount Event Center

When athletes, coaches, and families walk through the doors of the Rocky Mount Event Center, they quickly realize they’ve entered more than just a sports facility. Here, competition meets community, hospitality meets excellence, and tournaments become memories. That unique blend has earned the Rocky Mount Event Center national recognition — being named one of the ‘Top 3 Volleyball Venues in the Nation’ by SportsEvents Media.

It’s a milestone that reflects more than polished hardwood courts. It honors the commitment of a team whose focus on hospitality, detail, and innovation is turning a facility into a premier sports tourism destination and, in the process, generating millions for the community.

Hospitality that sets a standard

For General Manager David Joyner, the Event Center’s momentum comes down to people and culture.

“Our award-winning and highly experienced team is the fuel behind our operational engine. Guests often describe the welcome they receive as nothing short of red-carpet treatment, and that culture of YES is what keeps families coming back.”

That emphasis on hospitality is reinforced in the little things families notice beyond the scoreboard, like clean restrooms moms rave about, diverse food options, a Player’s Lounge for athletes, arcade games, and even outdoor activities that make long tournament weekends enjoyable.

Event Sales Coordinator Keorra Taylor says those details are what transform tournaments into something lasting.

“We don’t just host games, we create excellent experiences. Families remember how they felt valued, and that’s why they return year after year.”

That commitment to the athlete and family experience is what’s fueling growth on a much larger scale.

A volleyball hub with national reach

In 2025 alone, the Event Center hosted 10 volleyball tournaments, drawing athletes and families from across the East Coast. The impact? An estimated $15 million in economic activity supporting Nash County hotels, restaurants, and businesses, even as the building itself resides in Edgecombe County.

That’s just a piece of the bigger picture. The Event Center delivered a fiscal year economic impact of $25.8 million, welcoming more than 110,000 visitors from states like Indiana, Georgia, Florida, New York, Maryland, and beyond.

Memorable moments on and off the court

Economic numbers matter, but the spirit of the venue is just as evident in the moments families experience.

August’s High School Volleyball Jamboree offered a perfect snapshot of what makes the venue unique. The South Field House hosted 24 middle and high school volleyball teams, while the North Field House transformed into a festival atmosphere complete with an axe-throwing truck, local food vendors, a DJ, bouncy houses, and a mechanical bull.

For Joyner, those details reflect the venue’s larger purpose.

“Hospitality isn’t just about big gestures,” he said. “It’s about showing our guests, in every possible way, that they matter and that their care and comfort is our concern.”

Taylor points out that amenities extend the experience beyond the court.

“Amenities like lounges, shuttle services, and family games turn long tournament days into lasting memories. We even connect with athletes through social media challenges to make the experience fun and interactive.”

A destination with lasting impact

Being named one of the nation’s top volleyball venues is both a recognition and a responsibility. For the Rocky Mount Event Center, it’s proof that excellence on the court, hospitality beyond the court, and measurable community impact can all go hand in hand.

Taylor adds that it’s the balance between national reach and community roots that sets the venue apart.

“On one side, we host major tournaments that boost our local economy and build our national reputation. On the other, we invest in community-focused events that keep us rooted. It’s this balance of national spotlight and local pride that makes us more than a venue, it makes us a hub.”

It’s also a story that stretches far beyond Rocky Mount: families who arrive as guests often leave as ambassadors, eager to return for the next tournament and the next set of memories.

To learn more about upcoming events, host your own, or schedule a tour of the facility, visit rockymountevents.com. Sign up for the newsletter and follow the Event Center on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and X for updates, behind-the-scenes highlights, and more.

To book sports events contact Keorra Taylor, Event Coordinator at rmeceventsales@rockymountevents.com

This article was written for our sponsor, Rocky Mount Event Center