Virginia Beach Attracts U.S. Table Tennis Nationals
An NCTTA Feature - September 2011

By Willy Leparulo and Andy Kanengiser
NCTTA Media Relations Committee

Virginia Beach will be the destination point for outstanding players and fans attending the 2011 U.S. Table Tennis Nationals from December 13-17. While millions of people across the USA are clinging to the last few days of summer weather, folks in this Virginia tourist town are busy making plans for their big winter event just a few months down the road.

“Our goal is to produce the finest table tennis event of the year in one of the best venues in the country,” says Dean Johnson, a member of the 2011 Nationals Local Organizing Committee. It’s an event, he added, “that will exceed the expectations of players and spectators alike.”

The 2011 U.S. Nationals will be held at the city’s $22 million state-of-the art convention center built in 2005. With 150,000 square feet of column-free space, excellent lighting and a location that’s mere minutes from oceanfront host hotels, Virginia Beach’s fantastic facility is a terrific place to host the 36th annual event. There are 2,200 free parking spaces for visitors, lots of healthy choice concession stands, a video wall in the lobby for live streaming and much more. Shuttle service will run every few minutes to host hotels all day.

As a free NCTTA service, we wanted to share some of this information this summer, so you can mark the dates on your calendars, and start booking travel arrangements to make it to Virginia Beach and back.

Matt Robinette, the sports marketing representative for the Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, says the U.S. Table Tennis Nationals will provide the opportunity for folks from the East Coast and other regions “to witness the athleticism and skill” of hundreds of top rated players. The event also wants to reach out to beginning or unrated players to compete against one another. Participants at the national tournament will take part in over 60 events on 90 tables, he said.

In case you missed it, the 2010 men’s champ is Timothy Wang, and the women’s champ is Ariel Hsing. Back in 2005 and 2003, Jasna Reed, turned in dazzling performances and twice was crowned the women’s champion. Jasna now coaches the Texas Wesleyan University table tennis team.

Life isn’t all about table tennis. Should Virginia Beach visitors wants a break from the exciting table tennis action, there’s plenty for families to do. Attractions in the area include the Chrysler Museum of Art, Colonial Williamsburg’s lights and festivities, the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science facility and the Norfolk Botanical Garden.

Rather than go on about this super event in Virginia, the best bet to get more information is to head to the event website: www.usnationalsvabeach.com

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