Winston Salem is host to a series of annual events that pull visitors from all over. In some ways, from nearby cities like High Point, Greensboro, and Wilkes county.
In cases like the International Black Theatre Festival, the city even receives visitors from around the world.
Naturally, that means the area’s hospitality industry amps itself up to receive, and competition is palpable.
Location matters more than ever for visitors flying in since they’ll either be without a vehicle or often prefer not to drive great distances in a rental.
If a hotel or restaurant is a great experience, that patron may book those same places each time they’re in town. If it’s a poor experience, that’s a could-be return customer they’ll never see again.
Some of Winston Salem’s Annual Draws:
Celebrating its 26th year in 2024, The RiverRun International Film Festival is recognized for its rapid growth and status as a premier film festival in the Southeast. It has gained acclaim for showcasing a diverse range of films, including narrative, documentary, student, animated, and short films from all genres.
This variety has made it an Academy Award-qualifying festival, particularly for its Documentary Short and Animated Short categories, underscoring its importance in the film industry.
As they mention on their website, the festival’s mission is to foster a greater appreciation of cinema and a deeper understanding of the many people, cultures, and perspectives of our world.
It’s been a platform for film screenings that also engages the community of film enthusiasts through various events, including special screenings with discussions led by filmmakers and experts — plus year-round film screenings
The Paul J Ciener Botanical Gardens feature 18,000 tulips and daffodils in the nearby town of Kernersville. It’s a brief drive for all nearby cities, and not much of a hike for visitors staying in Winston Salem for the amount of beautiful flowers on display.
The tulips begin in mid-late March, and run for around 6 weeks into late April.
The Winston-Salem Open is a premier professional men’s tennis tournament in North Carolina, part of the ATP Tour. It’s typically held at Wake Forest University in late August, serving as a final warm-up before the US Open.
This event draws a mix of top-ranking global players and rising stars, offering a high level of competition and entertainment. The tournament is known for its intimate setting, allowing fans close-up views of the matches, and attracts tennis enthusiasts from all over, keen to witness world-class tennis action right before the Grand Slam in New York.
Christmas at Old Salem offers a unique holiday experience, immersing visitors in the Moravian traditions of the 18th and 19th centuries. This historical celebration includes tours of decorated buildings, demonstrations of period crafts, and insights into Moravian culinary traditions, making it an educational and festive outing.
The International Black Theatre Festival is always held right in Winston Salem at various venues.
Hospitality Cleanliness Has Been A Staple in Winston Salem.
High traffic events put hotels and other hospitality vendors to the test. There are more customers than they ever see otherwise, all at once, and each of those customers and gauging their total experience on each of those stops.
In other words, if someone has traveled to see one of these events, each place they sleep, eat, or get refreshments and souvenirs from are part of their experience. If it’s a poor experience in an otherwise awesome day, it stands out all the more.
What Kinds Of Hospitality Are Common For Major Winston Salem Events?
Hospitality generally involves all of the components involved in experiential things. The reason that word is used to often for travel is because it includes things like:
- Hotels, lodges, and event spaces
- Restaurants, bars, food trucks, and catering
- Souvenir shops
- Night clubs and casinos
Presentation is everything in this business, and is a mark of distinction for a shop that primarily sells to tourists rather than other retail.