USA Table Tennis 2011 Nationals: Dec. 13-17 in Virginia Beach

Message from Dean Johnson from the Local Organizing Committee:

Having lived in Virginia Beach near the oceanfront for 16 years, I would like to share with you some personal, first-hand observations about life here and what you can expect when you come here in December as a participant or visitor.

You will find, for example, a city that is very visitor-friendly and premium hotels just minutes from the Convention Center that will offer competitive rates.

You'll also find a new, state-of-the-art convention center that is very player-friendly just minutes from the oceanfront. It features 150,000 sq. ft. of column-free space, excellent lighting, 2200 free parking spaces and a “trowel-polished concrete floor with iron/aluminum hardener” for traction. A seamless shuttle service will take you from host hotels to the convention center.

The Convention Center is also “LEED” gold certified environmentally friendly, the first of its kind in the country.

Incidentally, we will not be one of several events taking place at the Convention Center; we will be the only event. The entire Convention Center will be dedicated to table tennis. Virginia Beach has received wide recognition in the media for the quality of life here; for example:

• “Best Place to Live” - USA Weekend Magazine
• “Safest City of its Size” - FBI Crime Statistics
• “Best American Boardwalks” - Travel Channel
• “America's Ten Best Cities” - Ladies Home Journal
• “Best City for Families” - Child Magazine

For those players who choose to bring their families, even in December, there's lots to do and see in Virginia Beach as shown on the back panel of this folder.

Weather in Virginia Beach is similar to Las Vegas. The average high in December in Virginia Beach is 53F while winter daytime high in Las Vegas is 60F.

There are over 100 restaurants either at the oceanfront or within an easy drive from the Beach to satisfy a wide range of tastes. The Convention Center will also offer participants healthy choice meals at their concessions.

I can assure you that everyone here - from hotel employees, restaurant employees, local residents and members of the Local Organizing Committee - will welcome you and will do everything possible to make your stay “beyond your expectations”.

Dean Johnson
Chairman, Local Organizing Committee
U.S. Nationals 2011