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Know Before You Go

We are excited to welcome you to the WSSU RISE AI Summit: Advancing Innovation and Human Possibility on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at the Benton Convention Center in downtown Winston-Salem, North Carolina. We are especially excited to welcome one of our own, Dr. Siobahn Day Grady, WSSU Class of 2005, as this year's keynote speaker.

Before you join us for a full day of learning, collaboration, and conversation, we want to share a few important details to help you prepare for the summit.

PLAN YOUR DAY

The full WSSU RISE AI Summit schedule is available here.

Take a few moments before the summit to explore the day's sessions and begin planning your experience.

ARRIVAL, PARKING & REGISTRATION

Benton Convention Center
301 W. 5th Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Parking will be available at the 6th Cherry Trade Parking Deck, located at 527 N. Cherry Street. Attendees are responsible for all associated parking fees, which are generally $1–$2 per hour. We recommend downloading the PayByPhone app in advance to make paying for parking easier.

Downtown traffic and parking demand may be heavier during the morning, so please allow additional time to navigate downtown, park, and make your way into the convention center.

The 5th Street entrance is the recommended entrance for summit attendees. If you enter from Cherry Trade Parking Deck, use the catwalk on the third floor to enter the convention center, and follow the directional signage inside to reach the summit registration area. Volunteers will be stationed throughout the venue to help direct you.

Registration begins at 8:00 a.m., and breakfast will be available from 8:00–9:00 a.m. The summit program will officially begin at 9:00 a.m. with greetings from Chancellor Bonita J. Brown and Provost Stevie Lawrence. 

WSSU Shuttle Transportation

For WSSU students and faculty, shuttles will run from campus to the Benton Convention Center from 8:00–10:00 a.m., with return service from 4:00–5:00 p.m. To catch the shuttle, please meet the shuttle drivers outside of Donald Julian Reaves Student Activities Center and plan to arrive with enough time to board.

BEFORE YOU ARRIVE: 3 THINGS TO DO
  1. Select Your Sessions
    Review the available sessions and identify the presentations and conversations you would like to attend. Planning your sessions in advance will help you build a personalized schedule and make the most of your summit experience.
  2. Review Parking & Arrival Information
    Familiarize yourself with the parking deck, Benton Convention Center entrances, and registration information above before traveling downtown. A map of parking downtown is attached to this email. 
  3. Prepare Your Devices
    Consider bringing a laptop or tablet and charger, as some presenters will incorporate interactive components into their sessions. Please fully charge your devices before arriving, as access to electrical outlets may be limited throughout the venue.
MEALS & REFRESHMENTS

In addition to breakfast from 8:00–9:00 a.m., refreshments will be available throughout the day. Attendees will also be provided a plated lunch, and the summit will conclude with a Networking Reception.

If you have dietary restrictions or food allergies, please contact aisummit@wssu.edu with any questions before the summit.

NAVIGATING THE SUMMIT

Sessions and activities will take place throughout the Benton Convention Center. Please follow the directional signage and venue maps throughout the day to locate meeting rooms and activities.

Summit volunteers will also be stationed throughout the venue and available to help you find your destination.

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR SUMMIT EXPERIENCE

The WSSU RISE AI Summit is designed to be more than a series of presentations. We encourage you to participate in discussions, ask questions, connect with presenters and fellow attendees, and explore perspectives beyond your usual discipline or industry.

Bring your ideas, your questions, and your curiosity!

For questions before the summit, please email aisummit@wssu.edu. We look forward to welcoming you to downtown Winston-Salem on September 10 for an exciting day of learning, discovery, and connection.

We look forward to welcoming you on Thursday for an exciting day of learning, discovery, and connection.