Winston-Salem, North Carolina: City of Arts and Innovation

May 2, 2017

Attractions and Activities

Hearkening back to the city’s roots, Old Salem Museums and Gardens, with cobblestone sidewalks and 100-plus restored buildings, showcases the Moravian way of life with costumed interpreters performing Colonial tasks. Meeting spaces include the Horton Museum Center, home of the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts, with a 1,270-square-foot auditorium, a 490-seat classroom and lovely outdoor spaces. The Old Salem Visitor Center can hold up to 700.

Based on a group’s goals, team building can transport corporate attendees to the past. Smaller numbers can try hearthside cooking of a meal, a dessert, an 18th-century chocolate or alcoholic beverages.

“Often, men and women in a corporate situation don’t cook much at home,” said Dorlee Snyder, director of education and outreach programming. “Here, they’re all on a level playing field with something new. They’re cooking on coals, beating eggs with a stick-and-twig whisk without electricity. There’s lots of camaraderie trying to figure out how to do things.”

Groups of up to 55 can take a hands-on history tour to experience hearth cooking a small edible, learn a period craft and explore Old Salem behind the scenes.

Another Winston-Salem team-building choice teaches West African drumming to meeting attendees, either to launch and underscore the intent of a gathering or to celebrate success at its close. Customizable according to a corporate group’s focus, Sewa Beats uses the metaphor of music to help audiences experience business skills such as leadership development, interpersonal communication, change management and conflict resolution in a new context.

“Drumming provides a different way of breaking through,” said Glenn Gautier, executive producer for Sewa Beats. “Afterward, each person, no matter their company position, has a connection with all the others who experienced it. We often hear people saying, ‘I’m never going to forget this.’”

A 20-minute drive from downtown, the lush Yadkin Valley is known for its wineries and vineyards. Groups of 20 to 50 attendees can enjoy an unforgettable team-building experience in the rolling hills surrounding Divine Llama Vineyards on a llama trek followed by a wine tasting.

“Llamas have tons of personality,” said Dana Dalton, tasting room manager. “People bond with them.”

Beer and Doughnuts

As the birthplace of North Carolina’s first microbrewery distillery — Single Brothers’ House in Old Salem — Winston-Salem knows a thing or two about suds.

Groups can bond with beer at Foothills Brewing, makers of wildly popular Sexual Chocolate Imperial Stout. Here, up to 35 people can learn how to make craft beer and, of course, sample it at its 45,000-square-foot main brewery and 28-tap tasting room.

“We pride ourselves at being good community members,” said Ray Goodrich, marketing director. “We have an IPA series based on Winston-Salem’s charitable needs. Customers seem to appreciate that.”

Attendees will appreciate Winston-Salem’s historic foodie roots as the 1937 birthplace of Krispy Kreme doughnuts on a downtown Tour de Food meeting chefs and tasting ginger cookies and butter sugar cakes on the Moravian Culinary Trail.

Schroeder smiled as he summarized his city’s appeal: “Meeting planners that come to Winston-Salem for site visits and FAMs are surprised at all we have to offer. It’s part of our Southern Wake-Up Call. Not only do you get phenomenal Southern hospitality, but we have an amazing array of amenities at a great price point.”