Hank Van Arsdale is the Heart of America Regional Commissioner for USA Volleyball. He was instrumental in bringing USA Volleyball's Show Me National Qualifier to Kansas City. Nearly 14,000 volleyball fans will visit KC in April 2010 leaving an economic impact of $10.1 million on the local economy. In his role with USA Volleyball, Hank helps oversee all aspects of this annual tournament in Kansas City. Hank partnered with the KCCVA's Sales Team to agressively pursue Kansas City as the site of USA Volleyball's Show Me National Qulaifier. This national tournament will be held in KC each April through 2014.

Below is a recent interview with Hank on how he worked with the KCCVA to bring this great group to Kansas City.

BUMP, SET, SPIKE: The local chapter of USA Volleyball worked with the CVA Sales Staff to win the opportunity to annually host USA Volleyball's – Show Me National Qualifier.

MR. VAN ARSDALE: "We spent a long time working on it, trying to get it here. Working with USA Volleyball and all at once it came together, and it was easy."

CONVENTIONS ARE BIG BUSINESS: USA Volleyball is one of Kansas City's largest annual conventions. Each year, the event generates more than $10 million in economic impact to KC. In addition to the volleyball teams, the tournament has a large fan base.

MR. VAN ARSDALE: "We were the fifth largest convention in Kansas City last year (2008). This year we are going to add at least a third more teams. We will have almost 10,000 players, so you are talking about bringing almost 40,000 people to Kansas City. From the Power & Light District to the hotels, it’s going to be a great event for Kansas City."

NO WASTED SPACE:  "The organization transforms the convention center into a mass of volleyball courts. In all, there are dozens of courts spread across the facility."

MR. VAN ARSDALE: "Bartle Hall is a tremendous facility to use for volleyball. It is because it is pretty much column free. It’s dimensions work out well for us. We can get a lot of volleyball courts in there without having to do anything strange."

A TEAM GAME: The CVA sales staff worked diligently with the local chapter of USA Volleyball to guarantee the success of this annual convention.

MR. VAN ARSDALE: "The whole crew at the CVA has been great to work with. They will do almost anything they can to help the event, help bring the event to Kansas City. We couldn’t do it without them."

NOT LEAVING ANYTIME SOON: The CVA is pleased USA Volleyball will be in Kansas City for the forseeable future.

MR. VAN ARSDALE: "We are going to be here through 2014 for sure. We hope to be here longer. We made a long-term commitment to Kansas City, because we have had the cooperation of the CVA. Kansas City really works well for us."

About USA Volleyball

USA Volleyball (USAV) is a non-profit organization which serves as the national governing body of volleyball in the United States of America (USA). Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado and originally founded by the YMCA of the United States of America (USA), this organization is responsible for selecting and supporting US national teams that compete in FIVB sanctioned international volleyball competitions such as the Olympic Summer Games. USA Volleyball is also charged with fostering the development of the sport of volleyball within the United States through involvement with its 40 Regional Volleyball Associations (RVAs). - Wikipedia