NEWS | OPPORTUNITIES | EVENTS | & MORE   

WHAT'S NEW IN 2023

Introducing our New Visitor Guide
The Official 2023 Visitor Guide is Now Available to Order
 
Fresh off the press, this year's Visitor Guide is ready to hit your newsstands. Along with featuring the wealth of authentic experiences and local attractions that establish Asheville as a world-class destination, we remind visitors to be mindful of their impact.
 
Order the 2023 Visitor Guides by Wednesday, January 18, for direct delivery to your business the following week. Can't make this month's schedule? You can always pick up a box at the Asheville Visitor Center, 36 Montford Ave.  
 
Celebrate the Year of the Trail
Help Amplify the Message of the Great Trail State

The Year of the Trail celebrates North Carolina’s vast and diverse collection of trails and encourages all of us to recognize our role as champions of these special resources. This initiative, led by the Great Trails State Coalition, is strengthened by each organization that promotes local trail options, encourages safe and sustainable use, and establishes events that honor and make use of our trail network. 

Interested in participating? View the Community Toolkit below for organizing, content, and event ideas. 

The Year of the Trail Community Toolkit
Meet Our New Team Members
Follow Our Facebook Page for Introductions to Our Latest Additions

Staying true to our vision and the needs of our community, we have added new expertise across all departments and built out our Partnership and Destination Management Team. Tune into our Partner CVB Connect Facebook page this month to help us welcome our new staff.

To better understand everyone's role in the organization and how we can best serve your business, visit the Contact Us page on our website.

Say Hello to Our Newest Staff
Warm Welcome to Our New Partners
We are Delighted to Shine a Light on Your Creativity

PARTNER RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Get Exposure through Destination Discovery
Explore Asheville's 48-Hour Meeting Planner Experience
 
This winter, the sales and services team hosted 49 meeting planners on a memorable, two-day experience. Three times a year, Explore Asheville introduces planners to our unique neighborhoods, restaurants, hotels, and hospitality offerings to encourage events to be hosted here.
 
Interested in participating in the next Meeting Planner Experience in March 2023? Please contact Emily Crosby, our Group Service Manager, below. 
 
Advertise Your Business at SoCon
 
The Southern Conference (SoCon) Basketball Championships will return to Asheville March 2-6, 2023. Engage sports fans by hosting a coupon listing on the SoConSports.com site. Click the button below for Explore Asheville Extranet coupon instructions. Don’t forget to use the coupon category “SoCon.”
 
Have a Winter Event? We'll Promote it for You!
 

Let us boost attendance to your next winter gathering by submitting your events on our website. We'll send you a notification once your event has been reviewed and approved to be featured on Explore Asheville.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Join Us at The Year Ahead on January 19
Arrive on Time and In Style Next Thursday
 
Our first partner event of 2023 is one week away and we are thrilled to have hit capacity on RSVPs! We can't wait to have all our partners, community members, and friends together again for an afternoon of connection, inspiration, and refreshments. Now is the time to start thinking about last-minute preparations for how to get there.
 
Transportation Options: We encourage guests to consider carpooling with colleagues, using public transit, or walking if you work downtown. If driving is your only option, here are parking lots we recommend within a short stroll to The Venue:
  • College Street Parking Garage
  • Aloft Hotel Parking Garage
  •  Majorie Street Parking Lot
  • 31 Woodfin Parking Lot
  • Street Parking: Market St, N. Spruce St, E. Walnut St, College St, Woodfin St
Asheville Restaurant Week Kicks Off Next Week
Taste Your Way Through Our Eclectic Dining Scene 
 
Enjoy our tastiest cuisine during Asheville Restaurant Week, taking place January 17-23, 2023. More than 40 participating restaurants will provide special menus or pricing. The delicious culinary creations of local restaurants are a big part of what makes Asheville special. Show your favorite restaurants some love, grab some dinner, and keep Asheville cooking!
 

The City of Asheville is hosting a Design Workshop for Pack Square Plaza this Friday, January 13 at the Public Works & Development Services Department starting at 9am. Participants will work in teams and draw improvements based on community feedback at this collaborative workshop. Can't make the event? You can still provide your input by answering five questions about Pack Square.

The regular monthly meeting of Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA) will take place in the Board Room of the Explore Asheville Offices beginning at 9am, Wednesday January 25. All board meetings are open to the public and the agenda will be posted 48 hours in advance. Following the meeting, documents and presentations will be posted here. 

Festivals & Cultural Events Sponsorship Applications for this quarter are due February 15. Buncombe County-based nonprofits providing professional and community development opportunities that serve the local community including tourism partners are encouraged to apply. 

POLL | PRO TIP | PERFORMANCE

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Ring in the new year with new photos on your Explore Asheville listing. High-quality, high-res images can lead to more clicks, so you'll want to click below for our pro tips!

Learn More

Each month, Explore Asheville generates a statistical report of our output, providing a snapshot of the local tourism economy month-to-month. Check out the latest Destination Dashboard.

Destination Dashboards

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

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