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B M & T ••• November/December 2015 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 44 AREA GUIDES W I N S T O N - S A L E M MEETING IN "WINSTON" IS AFFORDABLE AND FULL OF SURPRISES BY STEVEN DITMORE Winston-Salem is a sophisticated meeting destination conveniently and strategically located at the epicenter of North Carolina's Piedmont Triad region. Meeting professionals and delegates alike consistently give Winston-Salem high marks as a memorable meeting des- tination that successfully yet subtly blends its rich Colonial roots and dedi- cation to the arts with a vibrant, southern city vibe. A community with a true sense of place, Winston-Salem offers dele- gates a variety of eclectic chef-owned and operated restaurants and several arts and entertainment districts all within a few steps of the Convention Center. One of the largest meeting facilities in North Carolina, the M. C. Benton Convention Center, when combined with the Embassy Suites Winston-Salem and the Winston-Salem Marriott, the Twin City Quarter offers more than 170,000- sq. ft. of flexible meeting space including five individual ballrooms, exhibit space, breakout rooms, boardrooms, reception areas and private dining rooms. The Center features two enclosed skyways connecting the Convention Center to the 146-room Embassy Suites and the 315-room Downtown Marriott. Winston-Salem's downtown offers meet- ing planners and convention delegates a wealth of charming, walkable dining options. Conveniently located just minutes from Winston-Salem's Twin City Quarter and the Benton Convention Center, is the $26-million Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts. The MRCA, which opened in September 2010, was an impressive addition to the historic heart of down- town Winston-Salem offering planners yet another attractive, flexible function space for meetings, seminars, and receptions. The MRCA has several meeting venue options including the Reynolds Galleria, an impressive, 3,300- sq. ft. multi-purpose space offering state of the art audio/ visual as well as large- screen projection capabilities. This space allows for receptions to easily flow into the 1,800-sq. ft. Womble Carlyle Gallery works from local, national and international artists are on display. Next door to the Center is the impressive 300-seat Hanesbrands Theatre. The new theater, originally the AC Delco building, is a meeting plan- ner's dream come true offering a move- able stage and seats. Additional seating in the dramatic wrap-around balcony adds additional flexibility and charm to this impressive facility. The history of African-Americans in Winston-Salem is deeply rooted in the philosophy that hard work and determi- nation can bring forth transformation and innovation. Since the days of the early Moravian settlers of Salem, the works of African-Americans can be seen in his- toric structures, schools, banks and in transportation, among many other areas. A reconstruction of the Log Church, located beside St. Philips, serves as a mixed media orientation point for the St. Philips Heritage Center in Old Salem Museums & Gardens. St. Philips is also the site where a Union Calvary Chaplain announced freedom of slaves in 1865, thus opening the doors for African-American achievement in and around the town of Salem. Also found in Old Salem is the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA). Here you will find not only a well-preserved collection of Moravian textiles and art but also that of many other Southern colonies from the early 18th century. Among these are the works of Thomas Day, an African-American furniture maker. The story of Thomas Day is especially inspiring because even during the height of racially segregated times, Day Twin City Quarter Photo Credit: Winston-Salem CVB