6:00 - 7:30 PM
Leadership Dinner
Location to be announced
IATC Board, Past Presidents, and Convention Leadership.
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION 2026
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AGENDA & SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
IATC Convention • June 11-14, 2026 • Winston-Salem
Experience the Convention
Your Way
Inspiring presentations • Leadership development • Historic tours • Fellowship with Torch members from across the US and Canada
Ideas Worth Sharing
Leadership & Club Growth
Tours, Fellowship & Celebration
Convention at a Glance
Join Torch members and guests for a vibrant four-day gathering filled with presentations, workshops, fellowship, local exploration, and celebration in Winston-Salem. This agenda is designed to give attendees a flexible, engaging experience with both structured programming and time to discover the city.
Opening panel on Winston-Salem history, culture, and innovation
Concurrent presentations by Torch members
Leadership and club development workshops
Historic tours, gala dinner, and evening entertainment
2026 Convention Agenda
All times listed are local Winston-Salem time.
Wednesday
June 10: Leadership Arrival
Leadership dinner and arrival day
Thursday
June 11: Board Meetings & Convention Opening
Meetings, registration, opening session, and fellowship
7:30 - 8:15 AM
Hot Breakfast Buffet
Brookstown Inn & Hawthorne Inn Breakfast Areas
Breakfast available for guests before the start of the day’s activities.
9:00 - 11:30 AM
IATC Board Meeting
Wake Forest Lifelong Learning Center
Formal board meeting for IATC leadership.
12:00 - 1:30 PM
Board Lunch
Location to be announced
Lunch for board leadership following the morning meeting.
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Convention Registration
Brookstown Inn Convention Center Lobby
Guest check-in, materials pickup, and arrival support.
3:00 - 3:45 PM
Convention Welcome & Opening Remarks
Brookstown Inn Ballroom
Art Bloom, IATC President • David Piner, Convention Host • Ben Hodge, Winston-Salem Torch Club President
3:45 - 5:00 PM
Opening Panel. Discover Winston-Salem: History, Culture, Innovation
Brookstown Inn Ballroom
David Piner • Mike Wakeford, MUSE Museum Director • Brian Cole, UNC School of the Arts Chancellor (tentative)
5:00 - 6:00 PM
Wine & Cheese Reception
Brookstown Inn Ballroom & Outdoor Patio
Relax, reconnect, and enjoy conversation with fellow attendees.
6:30 - 9:00 PM
Small-Group Dining in Winston-Salem
Recommended local restaurants
Enjoy dinner with fellow attendees at recommended fine dining, casual, and international restaurants within walking distance of the hotels.
Friday
June 12: Presentations, Tours & Awards Gala
Concurrent sessions, plenary, trolley tour, gala, and music
7:30 - 8:15 AM
Hot Breakfast Buffet
Brookstown Inn & Hawthorne Inn Breakfast Areas
Breakfast available before the day’s programming begins.
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Convention Registration (All Guests)
Brookstown Inn Convention Center Lobby
Registration and arrival assistance for all attendees.
8:30 - 9:15 AM
Concurrent Presentations (choice of topics)
Wake Forest Lifelong Learning Center
Choose from multiple thought-provoking Torch presentations.
9:45 - 10:30 AM
Concurrent Presentations (choice of topics)
Wake Forest Lifelong Learning Center
Additional presentation options for attendees who want to explore a range of subjects.
10:45 - 11:45 AM
Special Plenary Session. The Torch Magazine: From Ideas to Publication
Brookstown Inn Ballroom
Panel Discussion with Michael Washburn, Editor; Joel Stegall, Managing Editor; Cecelia Barbieri, Marketing & Communications Director; Linda Paskey, Creative Director
12:00 - 12:45 PM
Boxed Lunch
Brookstown Inn Ballroom & Outdoor Patio
A convenient lunch break before the afternoon experience.
1:00 - 4:00 PM
Highlights of Winston-Salem Trolley Tour
Departing from convention area
A guided tour of the city’s historic neighborhoods, cultural landmarks, and creative districts aboard a festive trolley.
5:00 - 5:45 PM
Wine & Cheese Reception
Brookstown Inn Ballroom & Outdoor Patio
Gather before the evening gala events.
5:45 - 6:15 PM
Transportation to Forsyth Country Club
Brookstown Inn & Hawthorne Inn Entrances
Transportation provided for the Friday night gala.
6:00 - 7:00 PM
Cocktail Reception
Forsyth Country Club Ballroom
Begin the gala evening with conversation and refreshments.
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Awards Gala Dinner
Forsyth Country Club Ballroom
Presentation of the Paxton Awards, Gold Awards, and additional recognitions honoring outstanding Torch members and clubs.
8:45 PM
Early Bus Departure to Hotels
Forsyth Country Club Entrance
Transportation available for guests departing after dinner.
8:45 - 9:45 PM
Special Musical Entertainment
Forsyth Country Club Ballroom
Evening entertainment continues while bars remain open.
9:45 PM
Final Bus Departure to Hotels
Forsyth Country Club Entrance
Final transportation back to the hotels.
Saturday
June 13: Ideas, Leadership & Celebration
Business meeting, workshops, free exploration, dinner, and entertainment
7:30 - 8:15 AM
Hot Breakfast Buffet
Brookstown Inn & Hawthorne Inn Breakfast Areas
Breakfast available before Saturday programming begins.
8:30 - 9:15 AM
Concurrent Presentations (choice of topics)
Wake Forest Lifelong Learning Center
More opportunities to attend Torch member presentations.
9:30 - 10:15 AM
State of the Association Meeting. IATC Business Meeting
Brookstown Inn Ballroom
Association update and key business matters.
10:30 - 11:30 AM
Leadership & Club Growth Workshops (choice of topics for officers and club members)
Wake Forest Lifelong Learning Center
Focused sessions designed to strengthen clubs and prepare future leaders.
- Recruitment and membership growth
- Club operations and sustainability
- Marketing and communications strategies
- Leadership development for the next generation
- Introducing the new Torch brand
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM
Boxed Lunch
Brookstown Inn Ballroom & Outdoor Patio
Lunch available for attendees before the afternoon options begin.
Torch Foundation Business Meeting
Wake Forest Lifelong Learning Center
Bring your lunch and join the Foundation meeting.
12:45 - 4:00 PM
Explore Winston-Salem Your Way
Various local destinations
Enjoy the afternoon discovering one of North Carolina’s most charming historic cities. Options include:
- Old Salem Museums and Gardens
- North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA)
- Reynolda House Gallery, Reynolda Village and Gardens
- Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA)
- Wake Forest University
- Local shopping, arts district browsing and recreation
2:00 - 2:45 PM
Additional Presentation
Wake Forest Lifelong Learning Center
Optional session for attendees who are not touring on their own.
3:00 - 3:45 PM
Additional Presentation
Wake Forest Lifelong Learning Center
Optional presentation for those remaining in the program area.
5:00 - 6:00 PM
Wine & Cheese Reception
Brookstown Inn Ballroom & Outdoor Patio
Reconnect with friends and fellow members before dinner.
6:00 - 7:30 PM
Southern-Style Celebration Dinner Buffet
Brookstown Inn Ballroom
Featuring regional favorites and fellowship with Torch members.
7:30 - 8:30 PM
The Amazing Andy
Brookstown Inn Ballroom
An evening of magic, comedy, and audience interaction with professional magician and former Torch club President, Andy Schneider.
Sunday
June 14: Closing & Departure
Final breakfast, board meeting, check-out, and departures
8:00 - 9:00 AM
Hot Breakfast Buffet
Brookstown Inn & Hawthorne Inn Breakfast Areas
Final breakfast before departure.
9:00 - 9:30 AM
2026-2027 IATC Board Meeting
Brookstown Inn Board Room
Incoming board gathers for the next year’s planning and transition.
10:00 - 11:30 AM
Hotel Check-Out and Departures
Brookstown Inn & Hawthorne Inn
Safe travels until we meet again at the next Torch gathering.