First Event at TCF Center Since March 2020 is Held — Statewide Volleyball Tournament — Showing Signs of a Return to Business

Media Contact: Mary Klida mklida@tcfcenterdetroit.com

*Editor's Note - Photos available upon request.

Detroit – February 18, 2021 – TCF Center hosted its first event since March 2020, welcoming 1,000 athletes and spectators on 16 courts this past weekend. Attendees were kept safe through rigorous application of regulations by TCF Center staff and coordination with the City of Detroit Department of Health and Safety. 

“We were delighted to welcome our first event since last March – 1,000 attendees statewide to a safe and competitive in-person event at TCF Center,” said Patrick Bero, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority. “Our staff did whatever was needed to create a safe environment, including having our staff join in setting up the court, arranging chairs, even cleaning restrooms to make sure everything in the center was ready to accept its first visitors.”

The ASM Global VenueShield™ program, designed by the international management company that operates TCF Center, as well as the GBAC Star Certification Standards the center has implemented for compliance to strict environmental hygiene guidelines made the event safe for all participants.

Michigan Elite Volleyball Academy, the event organizer, brought 1,000 participants to compete in this first event. 

“Thank you to the entire team at TCF Center for all of their tireless work before, during and after our event which was instrumental in making the event a success,” said Steve Sack, Owner of Michigan Elite Volleyball Academy. “It was great to see people back in TCF Center.”

Michigan Elite Volleyball Academy is hoping to return to TCF Center in April of this year.

“We learned that each event that takes place in our building during this year will require a custom health and safety plan to be developed — taking into account the special needs of each group,” said Greg DeSandy, Director of Sales and Event Services and Interim General Manager, TCF Center. 

The staff at TCF Center was focused on delivering this first-class event, doing whatever was needed to make sure the athletes and spectators felt comfortable.

Claude Molinari, new CEO of the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau and General Manager of TCF Center until December 31, said, “We are delighted what this successful event says about our readiness as a destination to host other events safely and successfully at TCF Center and in the Detroit area.”

About TCF Center

With 723,000 square feet of exhibit space, TCF Center, formerly Cobo Center, boasts one of the largest contiguous exhibit floor spaces in North America and is the 17th largest convention center in the country. Visit online at www.tcfcenterdetroit.com. 

About the DRCFA

On 9/15/09, operational control of TCF Center transferred to the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority, under a collaborative agreement by the Michigan State Legislature, the City of Detroit, and Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Each of these entities has an appointed member on the DRCFA Board. Larry Alexander is the appointee of the Governor of the State of Michigan and serves as Chairman of the Board. For more information visit: http://www.drcfa.org/.