Visit Winston-Salem Hires Bonny Bernat as Senior Sports Development Manager

WINSTON-SALEM, NC (July 11, 2023) — Visit Winston-Salem has announced Bonny Bernat is returning
to the organization as senior sports development manager, responsible for promoting, generating, and
increasing sporting events and activities in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County.

“We’re thrilled to have Bonny back on the Visit Winston-Salem team in the sports development role,”
said Christian Schroeder, Visit Winston-Salem’s director of sales and services. “Bonny is well-connected
in the community and has a deep understanding of Winston-Salem’s amenities, venues, and services.
Most importantly, she understands how to position the city as a top destination for sporting
competitions, tournaments, and events.”

Bernat originally joined Visit Winston-Salem in 2009 as senior sports & events sales manager — a role
she held for 13 years. She returns to Visit Winston-Salem after working as director of learning and
development for the Sports Events & Tourism Association (Sports ETA) and as a business relations and
events manager for Steel Hands Brewing. Bernat is the former chair of the North Carolina Sports
Association. Bernat is a graduate of Worcester State University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in
Communications, and Clark University, where she earned a master’s degree in professional
communication.

Conveniently and centrally located, Winston-Salem has become one of the leading sports destinations in
the Southeast. The city expertly accommodates athletic competitions year-round with a variety of
facilities for athletes of all ages and skill levels. In addition to top-notch college venues, the city features
a number of world-class sports facilities, including a state-of-the-art indoor track (JDL Fast Track), a
spacious arena (Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum), and the region’s largest multi-sports
complex (RISE Indoor Sports). Recently designated a Runner Friendly Community by the Road Runners
Club of America, the city is home to 79 parks and nearly 30 miles of connecting trails and greenways.
Winston-Salem also features more than 5,300 hotel rooms, including 1,200 downtown hotel rooms
within walking distance of the 150,000-square-foot Benton Convention Center.

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About Visit Winston-Salem (www.VisitWinstonSalem.com)
Visit Winston-Salem is the official sales and marketing agency for the Winston-Salem and Forsyth County tourism industry. A sophisticated meeting destination, Winston-Salem is conveniently and strategically located at the epicenter of North Carolina’s Piedmont Triad region. It is easily accessible by car via Interstate 40, Interstate 77, Interstate 85, and U.S. Highway 52. Scheduled air service is available through Piedmont Triad International Airport, just 20 minutes east of Winston-Salem.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Maria Hayworth, Hayworth Public Relations
386.677.7000, maria@hayworthpr.com
Marcheta Cole Keefer, Visit Winston-Salem
336.728.4211, marcheta@visitwinstonsalem.com