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

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.