PHILADELPHIA, PA…April 15, 2014...Center City Philadelphia hotels will enjoy a spike in occupancy for the second weekend in a row, as more than 8,000 athletes converge upon the City for the ASICS Northeast Volleyball Qualifier (NEQ), the premier junior girls' volleyball tournament on the East Coast. The first leg of the tournament took place at the Pennsylvania Convention Center last weekend and will culminate over the coming Easter weekend, April 18-20. Easter weekend has been historically slow for Philadelphia hotels and the NEQ tournament has been a welcome addition to the calendar of events the City will host over the next two years. The tournament is projected to generate an economic impact of more than $23 million for Philadelphia and attendees will use more than 20,000 hotel room nights over the two weekends.

“Last weekend was huge for our hotel community. With both the Frozen Four and NEQ volleyball in town, our hotel staff were kept busy,” said Greg Stafford, president, Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association (GPHA). “This weekend is also looking positive for us and our city stands to receive a significant economic boost.”

The tournament boasts more than 725 teams and 8,000 athletes competing on 52 courts at the Convention Center over the two weeks of the event, in addition to more than 34,000 spectators. It is contracted to return to Philadelphia through 2020.

“Bringing the NEQ tournament to Philadelphia was the result of a team effort between the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), our Philadelphia Sports Congress and East Coast Volleyball,” said Jack Ferguson, president & CEO, PHLCVB. “As a result, our hotels are filled and our city is once again highlighted as a great sports destination.”

“We are very excited about the continuing growth after the move of the Northeast Qualifier to Philadelphia. The support we have received from the Philadelphia Sports Congress and the PHLCVB has been overwhelming,” said Glen Lietzke. “The environment of the Pennsylvania Convention Center and surrounding businesses has also contributed to the increased success of the event.”

To attend the tournament, spectators can register on-site or online at: http://www.neqvolleyball.com/tournaments/northeast-qualifier 
Passes can be purchased for $6 – $20.

Follow NEQ on social media:
https://twitter.com/Asics_NEQ 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Asics-Northeast-Qualifier/101588706572996

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