By Mary Klida
TCF Center hosted its first event since March 2020, recently welcoming 1,000 athletes and spectators on 16 courts for a statewide volleyball tournament. 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, 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 about what this successful event says in regard to our readiness as a destination to host other events safely and effectively at TCF Center and in the Detroit area.”
Mary Klida is Senior Marketing & Communications Manager of TCF Center in Detroit, Michigan.
