Meet the VWS Sales and Services Team: Alex Collins
With over 15 years of experience in tourism and hospitality, Alex is dedicated to promoting Winston-Salem as a premier meetings and conventions destination.
What’s your hometown and college alma mater?
Hometown? Well, Winston-Salem of course! I have lived here since the age of 6 and am so proud to call “Winston” home. I received my two undergrad degrees from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (Go Heels!) and my master’s degree from Cornell University. Although, I will say that Wake Forest has a special place in my heart as my hometown team. Shhh – don’t tell my Carolina friends that!
As a mom of two, young boys, what do you love to do with your kids in Winston-Salem?
One of the reasons we decided to stay and raise a family here in Winston-Salem are the multitude of family friendly options – far too many to name here, but I’ll give you my top two. Parks and playgrounds: the city and county do an exceptional job of providing safe, fun, and energy-releasing play and exploration options. We also love to ride bikes and take walks on the greenways. Walkable downtown: we absolutely love to come downtown and explore all of our favorite (and new) dining, shopping, and greenspace options! Grab pizza at Cugino Forno, then head over to Bailey Park to play in the grass followed by a sweet treat from Black Mountain Chocolate Bar. We always feel safe bringing the kids downtown, and I try to sneak in a history lesson here and there.
What’s your favorite Insta-worthy backdrop in Winston-Salem?
Just one? Hmmm, probably the overlook pier at Quarry Park. It offers a breathtaking view of the city skyline which lends great perspective to the splendor of Winston-Salem. The park itself is a fantastic representation of our city as well: we do not like to knock things down; we like to repurpose and reinvent.
What makes Winston-Salem unique as a meeting destination?
It is the feeling visitors and participants experience. The culture, the ethos, the heartbeat of our hip and historic city is so palpable one can only leave feeling like they have encountered something special. Yes, we have extraordinary meeting venues, but it is the staff, the people which make an indelible impact on the guest. We as a collective hospitality community know what a wonderful city we are and enthusiastically want to impart that to our guests, wanting them to return time and time again.