January 3, 2022

New Year, New Ways to Grow Your Business
5 PARTNER OPPORTUNITIES

Happy New Year from Explore Asheville!
Here are 5 time-sensitive opportunities to help your business in 2022

1. START THE NEW YEAR WITH AN UPDATED LISTING
Review & Refresh Your Amenities, Images, Social Links & More

The holiday rush is over and it's a great time to update your listing before visitors return in a few short weeks. Accurate and fully completed listings aren't just helpful to travelers making plans, but also to the Explore Asheville team as we promote the destination. Things to review include:

• AMENITIES: The more amenities you include in your listing, the more chances you have to attract visitors using the filtering function to discover businesses like yours.
• IMAGES: We've said it before and we'll say it again: Great images, correctly sized and with optimal resolution, will always get more attention!
• BUSINESS CATEGORY: If your business is BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and/or woman owned, be sure to indicate so under "Business Category."
• SOCIAL MEDIA: Are the links to your social media working? Are all your channels listed? Are there some you've listed but you're not able to maintain -- so they should perhaps be deleted from your listing?
  
• CONTACTS: Be sure that the contacts for your business are up to date and have extranet permissions set up.
  

Need help updating your listing? Check out our online education center for downloadable PDF instruction sheets, video tutorials and other assistance. (And you can always email us at PartnerSupport@ExploreAsheville.com.)

2. ATTEND A COVID RELIEF WEBINAR ON JANUARY 6 or 18
Applications for Business Recovery Grant Program Due January 31

Businesses that suffered economic loss during the pandemic may be eligible for a one-time payment of up to $500,000 through the Business Recovery Grant Program, administered by the N.C. Dept. of Revenue. Businesses that may be eligible for grants include: Arts, Entertainment, Recreation, Hotels, Restaurants, Bars, and Food Services, among others. Important dates:

• JANUARY 6: Informational Webinar - Registration here>>
  
• JANUARY 18: Informational Webinar - Registration here>>
  
• JANUARY 31: Final applications due - Apply here>> 

3. GET HELP WITH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Pre-apply for a Business Accelerator Grant by January 7

If you have five employees or more and you're interested in up-skilling and re-skilling your incumbent/existing workforce, a Business Accelerator Grant through the Mountain Area Workforce Development Board may be for you. This is a competitive, cost reimbursement grant, which means your company pays for the training and the Board reimburses you upon completion, with a maximum award of $10,000 per company. Important dates:

• JANUARY 7: Pre-applications due
• JANUARY 14: Draft applications due
  
• JANUARY 28: Final applications due 

4. 'GET GROUP READY!' AT THE NEXT PARTNER SALON
Register Now for Learning & Networking on January 19

From conferences and meetings to weddings and reunions, Explore Asheville's Sales Team is dedicated to bringing groups to Asheville – and customers for your business. These efforts are more than coordinating lodging and event venues. They're also about identifying outfitters and attractions, restaurants and food services, entertainment and transportation – and even community service and volunteer activities.

Is your business "group ready"? What can you do to get in the minds and hearts of meeting planners looking to bring their event to Asheville? At this in-person learning and networking event for tourism partners, learn more about Explore Asheville’s group sales strategy and how to partner with us. Space is limited, so register today!

• "GET GROUP READY!" Partner Salon
• JANUARY 19 | Doors open 8:30 a.m. | Program 9–10 a.m.
• EXPLORE ASHEVILLE OFFICES | 27 College Place | Asheville

5. PARTICIPATE IN THE 'WINTER OF WELLNESS' PROMOTION
Last-Minute Reminder to Submit Your Offer (Today's the Deadline!)

Explore Asheville is prioritizing wellness and self-care for our community and visitors by promoting special offers on revitalizing spa and wellness experiences this winter season. Through our "Winter of Wellness" promotion that begins this month and runs through March, we are showcasing partners that offer wellness-minded experiences. The deadline to submit your offer is today, January 3. Criteria for participation include:

• WELLNESS CENTERED: Partners must offer an experience (not a product offering) that is wellness-centered (e.g., spa treatments, yoga, skincare, recreational experiences).
  
• STAND-ALONE OR PACKAGED: Experiences can be stand-alone or packaged with Buncombe County lodging partners listed on ExploreAsheville.com.
• DISCOUNTS OR ADDED VALUE: The treatment/experience must be discounted 25% or include 25% added value to the treatment/experience and must be posted on your website with pricing.