Meet the VWS Team: Kay Calzolari, CTIS
Kay is a proud Winston-Salem native with more than 20 years of experience in the tourism and hospitality industry.
Particularly passionate about motorcoach tours, Kay serves as an associate member of the NC Motorcoach Association’s Board of Directors and attends American Bus Association’s annual Marketplace to meet with tour operators across the country.
Outside of work, Kay is an avid pickleball player, often found on a court somewhere in Forsyth County. When she's not hitting the courts, she enjoys playing billiards, painting barn quilts and spoiling her ‘fur kids’, Noah J and Nellie Flay.
What do you love most about working at Visit Winston-Salem?
“Honestly, there’s nothing I don’t love about working at Visit Winston-Salem! I just hit my 19th year mark and I can’t imagine being anywhere else. At Visit Winston-Salem, I’m a part of a team with a lot of passion and energy for marketing our city as a charming, welcoming destination.
I especially enjoy hosting Windshield Tours of Winston-Salem aboard full-size motorcoaches. Sharing stories of my hometown and bringing its fascinating history to life never gets old.”
What is your favorite piece of Winston-Salem history to share with your groups?
“That’s easy! To me, it’s all about the hyphen! I get excited about telling the story of how Winston-Salem became a hyphenated-named city. From stalwart Moravians and their town of Salem to the captains of industry and the growth of Winston — two towns given one name in 1913 by the use of a hyphen. (Not a dash, which separates). I know it becomes a bit gritty, grammatically speaking, but visitors and even locals seem to enjoy the fun facts of it all!”
Why is Winston-Salem a “must stop” for groups?
Groups of all sizes love Winston-Salem for its one-of-a-kind experiences that go far beyond the usual tourist stops. From the Reynolda House Museum of American Art to Mrs. Hanes Handmade Moravian Cookies and Old Salem Museums & Gardens to Korner’s Folly, our local attractions make every group visit special. Visit Winston-Salem is here to help with all the details: group-friendly accommodations, dining, and itineraries—so groups can simply enjoy the experience."
Winston-Salem’s known as the “Moravian Cookie Capital of the World.” What’s your favorite Moravian cookie flavor?
My favorite flavor is the original Moravian spice cookie, which is a descendant of the German Lebkuchen cookie. Moravians brought the treat with them when they immigrated to central North Carolina in 1753. This traditionally thin cookie is flavored by molasses, ginger and cloves and the taste has been described as ‘taking a bite into Christmas’!
Share