SIOUX CITY, IA -
When the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes volleyball tournament comes to town it brings thousands of people to Sioux City, and those thousands are expected to spend more than $1 million.
"Two hundred twelve volleyball programs have in their mind that success is going to Sioux City," said Aran Rush, Executive Director of Events & Facilities for the City of Sioux City.
Hundreds of players and thousands of fans will descend upon Siouxland over the next week as the NAIA volleyball tournament comes to town for the fifth year in a row.
"This is actually setting a record for the longest time it has been in one location," said Rush.
Local businesses like Jitters on Pearl Street hope those big numbers translate into a big spike in sales.
"That's exactly what local businesses thrive on," said Jitters Owner Sarah Kragthorpe. "And being so close to the convention center, to the Tyson Center, all of these big events are nothing but a bonus for us."
Jitters on Pearl has been open for just under a year, and with thousands of people spending more than a million dollars in town, the folks there hope to see record crowds.
To push sales, Jitters is offering a 10% discount to anyone involved with the tournament.
"Business is not always easy, especially going into the quieter time of the year," said Kragthorpe. "So it's phenomenal for us to have this opportunity."
Hundreds of players will be fighting for a national title on the court as local shops fight for a little extra business.
The city of Sioux City has signed another 3 year extension to host the volleyball tournament.
This year's tournament runs through December 1st.
For everything NAIA, check out these web sites:
http://www.naia.org/
http://tysoncenter.com/events/view/naia-womens-volleyball-national-championship-4/
