NEWS | EVENTS | OPPORTUNITIES | & MORE

In This Issue | July 15, 2022
Change in Occupancy Tax Split  | Workforce Development Town Hall | Art Proposal Deadline Extended | Marketing Workshop Deal | Pro Tip | Diversity Pillar Update | Sustainability Project | Upcoming Events | Summer Social Photo Gallery

LEGISLATION UPDATE: OCCUPANCY TAX

The River Arts District sidewalks, greenways, bike lanes, landscaping, parking and public art represent one of the community capital projects funded by the Buncombe County TDA using a portion of the occupancy tax paid by visitors.

Long before the pandemic, local hotel leaders advocated for a change in the allocation of the occupancy tax, increasing funding for investment in community capital projects and decreasing funding for promoting Asheville and Buncombe County to visitors. That long-awaited change finally came to fruition on July 1 when a bill filed by Senators Chuck Edwards, Warren Daniel, and Julie Mayfield became law. The occupancy tax split went from three-quarters to be used for tourism promotion and one-quarter for community capital projects, to two-thirds/one-third. Read more >>

PARTNER RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES

Labor shortages are impacting restaurants and hotels in unprecedented ways, adversely impacting business operations and sales revenue daily. What recruitment strategies are working and which are not? What steps might be taken collectively to address this issue? Owners, operators, HR professionals, managers and others involved in recruitment and hiring are invited to a discussion on workforce development hosted by NC Restaurant & Lodging Association, August 4, Renaissance Asheville Downtown Hotel, 2-4 p.m. You do not have to be a member of NCRLA to attend. Learn more & register >>

Art in the Heart, a new temporary public art program to activate Pack Square Plaza and engage with the community in a new way, is accepting proposals for art projects and/or experiences from artists and creatives that embrace themes of social equity and inclusion. The deadline is 5 p.m. on August 1. Learn more >>

Need more help marketing your local business? Get access to a host of marketing experts at the DIY Tourism & Local Marketing Workshop on November 14-15, at the Renaissance Asheville Downtown Hotel, where you can get the latest digital strategies, resources, and tools to help reach potential visitors and motivate them to visit. A day pass for locals is available with promo code [ExploreAVLDayPass] for 50% off the full price. Grab your ticket here >>

Did you know a new feature of contact profiles on the Extranet allows you to add your pronouns? Here's how: Log in as usual, then under [PROFILE] click [CONTACTS]. After you've selected [INDIVIDUAL] you'll see a drop-down under [PREFERRED PRONOUN]. Make your choice, hit [SAVE] and you’re done!

STRATEGIC PILLAR UPDATES

The June 29, 2022 edition of Mountain Xpress featured Explore Asheville’s strategic pillar, Engage & Invite More Diverse Audiences. The newspaper’s cover picture, as well as photos that accompanied the story, are of actual guests to Asheville who had posted their images on social media while visiting here. Read the story here >>

Explore Asheville has also joined with other destinations in formally committing that substantive, relevant and measurable goals around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will be included in our annual business plan for 2022, and in perpetuity moving forward. Read the formal letter of commitment, signed by Explore Asheville President & CEO Vic Isley here >>

Explore Asheville’s strategic pillar “Encourage Safe & Responsible Travel” includes a top-line objective to encourage partners to embrace sustainable and responsible tourism practices. To support those efforts, we've engaged grad student Megan Davis as our Sustainability Intern this summer.

Among her activities as our part-time summer intern, Megan is conducting a hotel sustainability audit and researching various sustainability/green hotel accreditation programs. She’s also researching electric vehicle charging stations through the County.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources Policy from Oregon State University, Megan is working toward completion of her graduate degree in Sustainability this fall from Lenoir-Rhyne University Asheville. Learn more about Megan here >>

IN THE COMMUNITY

In alignment with Explore Asheville's strategic pillars, Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority is a supporter of the following recent and upcoming community events:

• Asheville Open Tennis Championship | July 5-10 & 23-24
• Skyview Golf Tournament | July 13-14
• Downtown After 5 | July 15*
• Shindig on the Green | July 17 & 23**
• Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands | July 21-24
• Mountain Dance & Folk Festival | August 4-6
  

* Continues monthly through September
** Continues throughout August

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

• WHAT: Buncombe County TDA: Monthly Meeting
  
• WHEN: 9:00–10:00 a.m.
• WHERE: Explore Asheville | 27 College Place
  
• MORE INFO: Details to come here >>

2022 EXPLORE ASHEVILLE SUMMER SOCIAL

Asheville's creative spirit was alive and well at the Explore Asheville Summer Social on July 12, thanks to your energy and enthusiasm, plus the colorful vibe of Marquee! Our appreciation to everyone to joined us for this networking event to celebrate the summer season. Check out the photo gallery from the event and feel free to tag yourself and share!

EXPLORE ASHEVILLE'S STRATEGIC PILLARS
Deliver Balanced Recovery & Sustainable Growth | Encourage Safe & Responsible Travel |
Engage & Invite More Diverse Audiences | Promote & Support Asheville's Creative Spirit