NEWS | EVENTS | OPPORTUNITIES | & MORE

In This Issue | August 11, 2022
Seeking Your Fall News | Homelessness Survey | Ways to Collaborate with the Sales Team | Visitor Guide Ad Sales | Good News for Festival & Event Organizers | Upcoming Events | Big Announcements in the News | Dates & Deadlines | Who Do You Know in This New Video? | You Are Cordially Invited

PARTNER RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES

The fall and holiday seasons are fast approaching and news outlets are excited to hear what’s happening in Asheville! The Explore Asheville PR and content teams are already planning ahead to share your stories. Please use this quick form to submit your fall news no later than Friday, August 19, to be included in fall pre-publicity efforts.

Got holiday news? We want that, too!

We also want to hear your holiday plans! (And we're already in the beginning stages of collecting good news for our “What’s New in 2023” release as well.) Simply use the same submission form as above, filling out the relevant fields. Pro tip: Bookmark that page and submit your info when you are able!

The National Alliance to End Homelessness is working with the City of Asheville, Buncombe County, and the Dogwood Health Trust on a needs assessment and recommendations for comprehensive solutions to address homelessness, especially unsheltered homelessness. As part of its efforts, the Alliance invites you to complete a survey (taking approximately 5-7 minutes) on your understanding of and opinions about homelessness and the response to homelessness in the community. This survey is designed for individuals who are residents and/or property owners in the City of Asheville and/or Buncombe County.

The Explore Asheville Group Sales Team builds Asheville as a national-level group destination for the meeting, motorcoach, and sports and AAA markets. How can partners get in on the action? Check out the array of trade shows, client events and familiarization tours (i.e., FAM tours), and other opportunities in the 2022-2023 Groups Sales & Services Program of Work.

Learn even more ways to get involved with the Groups Sales team>>

Ad sales for the 2023 Official Asheville Visitor Guide are now underway with an early-bird deadline of October 26. Did you know:

• 83% of undecided travelers were influenced to choose a destination after reviewing a visitor guide.
• 88% have used a visitor guide to help plan a vacation.
• 79% of visitors picked up a visitor guide or brochure.
• 62% of visitors say printed visitor guides are extremely important.

Want to learn more? Contact Account Executive Terri Wells at 828.776.8886 or via email asheville@sagacitymedia.com .

IN THE COMMUNITY

Over the years, an eclectic collection of festivals and events have received grants from the Buncombe County TDA's Festivals & Cultural Events Support Fund, ranging from time-honored happenings such as Shindig on the Green and Black Mountain's Sourwood Festival to cultural celebrations like the Blue Ridge Pride Festival and Goombay. The fund is made possible with revenue earned through advertising sales and lodging reservations booked on ExploreAsheville.com.  

Explore Asheville will host an informational webinar on August 29, from 3 to 4 p.m. for organizers of 2023 events who wish to learn more about the grant program. Following the webinar, the online application portal will open at 5 p.m., with submissions due on September 27. Awards will be announced on October 26 and grants disbursed after successful completion of each event in 2023.

Note: As part of a separate program and process, Buncombe-based nonprofits providing professional and community development opportunities that serve the local community are also eligible to apply for sponsorships from the Buncombe County TDA. The quarterly application deadline for sponsorships is August 15. Get information here >>

In alignment with Explore Asheville's strategic pillars, the BCTDA is a supporter of the following upcoming community events through sponsorships or the Festivals & Cultural Events Support Fund.

• Sourwood Festival | August 13-14
  
• Downtown After 5 | August 19*
• LEAF Down by the River | August 20
• Come to Leicester Artists Studio Tour | August 20-21
  
• Asheville Symphony in the Park | August 28
  

* Continues monthly through September

IN THE NEWS

Asheville has been a home for the U.S. Billie Jean King Cup team three times in the last five years. Our relationship with the U.S. Tennis Association and Asheville’s reputation as a creative, vibrant community for leisure travel, business groups and sports events has been elevated with the announcement that Explore Asheville is the official tourism partner of the U.S. Open, August 29-September 11.

Ticket sales have spiked in the wake of Serena Williams' recent announcement that she will retire from the sport after playing in the grand slam tournament. Here's some of the media coverage so far:

• Sports Destination Management | Explore Asheville Signs on as Official Tourism Partner of the US Open for 2022
• Sports Travel | USTA Partners With Explore Asheville for US Open Marketing Campaign
• SportBusiness | Asheville, North Carolina replaces Bermuda as US Open tourism sponsor
• WLOS | Explore Asheville Signs on as Tourism Partner of the US Open
  

• U.S. News & World Report | 15 Top Hikes in Asheville, North Carolina
• Travel + Leisure | This North Carolina Mountain Destination Is Getting a Brand-new Campground With 16 Gorgeous A-frame Cabins
• CNN Travel | This rare truffle has been the Appalachian Mountains' secret for over a decade
• Travel + Leisure | This North Carolina City Was Just Named the No. 1 Food Destination in the U.S. — Here's Why
  

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

• WHAT: Quarterly sponsorship application deadline for Buncombe-based nonprofits providing professional & community development opportunities that serve the local community. Applicants notified within 2 weeks of quarterly review dates.
  
• MORE INFO: Available here>>

• WHAT: Deadline for partners to send fall news & updates to the Explore Asheville PR & content teams for consideration in seasonal publicity (see first article in this newsletter).
  
• HOW: Use the online form here >>

• WHAT: Festivals & Cultural Events Support Fund Webinar
  
• WHEN: 3:00–4:00 p.m.
• WHERE: Via Zoom
  
• HOW: Register here >>

• WHAT: Buncombe County TDA: Monthly Meeting
  
• WHEN: 9:00–11:00 a.m.
• WHERE: Center for Craft | 67 Broadway St.| Asheville
  
• MORE INFO: Details to come here >>

• WHAT: 2022 Buncombe County TDA Annual Meeting & Reception, presented by Explore Asheville
  
• WHEN: 3:00–6:00 p.m.
• WHERE: DoubleTree Biltmore | 115 Hendersonville Rd.| Asheville
  
• MORE INFO: Details & register here >>

• WHAT: Application deadline for the Festivals & Cultural Events Support Fund grant program for events taking place in calendar year 2023
  
• HOW: Apply through the online application portal, which will open at 5 p.m. on August 29.
• MORE INFO: Available here>>

FACES & PLACES IN OUR COMMUNITY

There are so many places to love, things to do, and people to meet in Asheville and Buncombe County! The Explore Asheville content team is further developing the collection of microsites spotlighting nearby towns and neighborhoods that visitors (and residents!) will want to explore and enjoy. The newest addition focuses on the faces and places of West Asheville – from locally-sourced restaurants and quirky shops to bustling breweries and lively music venues.

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