Last week, we shared talking points to help frontline partners and visitor-facing businesses navigate conversations with visitors about Hurricane Helene's impact. Since then, we’ve received feedback on improving these talking points and appreciate your responses. Recognizing the need for more nuance, we’ve updated the messaging points to incorporate your input.

The resource includes positive, forward-looking language for two key scenarios: welcoming visitors currently in Asheville and encouraging potential visitors planning their trips. Topics covered include what's open and thriving, respectful ways to explore, French Broad River access, Blue Ridge Parkway updates, voluntourism opportunities, and hiking trails now open.

We welcome your feedback and encourage you to let us know if you'd like additional resources for specific situations your team encounters by messaging partnersupport@exploreasheville.com. We are grateful for your role as an ambassador for the region's recovery and renewal.

Earlier this summer, Explore Asheville brought together federal and municipal partners, tour guides, outfitters, environmentalists, and outdoor advocates to discuss the French Broad River's recovery progress and current conditions. The collaborative meeting resulted in our comprehensive Summer 2025 Guide to the French Broad River—created to help locals and visitors safely reconnect with this beloved waterway while supporting the businesses that call it home. We've also updated the disclaimer that appears on Explore Asheville's water sports and fishing pages to reflect current conditions. 

FOR OUR PARTNERS

• River-Based Businesses: We encourage you to add the disclaimer from the water sports and fishing pages to your website and marketing materials to help keep visitors aware of current conditions.
• Share this Resource: Direct visitors to our guide when they ask about the French Broad River. It's designed to answer their questions while directing them to local businesses that are open and operating.
• Not Featured? If your business is operating on the river but wasn't included in our article, contact us at partnersupport@exploreasheville.com. We want to ensure all available services are represented as the river continues its recovery. 
  
  

Explore Asheville is working with partners for our community's revival this summer. We've been working collaboratively to secure a calendar full of events set to inspire meetings and large groups to be part of the comeback. This month, our Business Development team helped book 47 meetings and large events. 

Destinations International's event impact calculator, which measures net new money coming into a community from meetings and events, estimates that these events will bring nearly $7.8 million in direct spending to our community. Upcoming large events (325+ attendees) include: 

• Youth World Series 2025 | July 9–13 | 500 attendees
• 93rd Asheville Open Tennis Championship 2025 (Adult) | July 10–13 | 500 attendees
• 2025 Beer City 7's Rugby Tournament | July 12–13 | 400 attendees
• 2025 United Flag Football League (UFFL) #2 | July 12–13 | 500 attendees
• North Carolina Healthcare Association (NCHA) 2025 Summer Meeting | July 16–18 | 325 attendees
• 2025 Gran Fondo Asheville | July 20 | 600 attendees
• 93rd Asheville Open Tennis Championship 2025 (Junior) | July 26–27 | 500 attendees
• Asheville Ultimate HoDown Throwdown 2025 | August 2–3 | 1100 attendees
• Prep Lacrosse | August 3–6 | 2500 attendees
• NC State's EcoStream Conference 2025 | August 11–14 | 450 attendees

Our hearts go out to the communities across Central Texas devastated by the July 4th flooding. Just as we experienced an outpouring of support from across the country immediately following Hurricane Helene, we now have an opportunity to return that kindness as possible.

Direct Relief Organizations:

• Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country - The Kerr County Flood Relief Fund will direct monetary support to vetted organizations providing rescue, relief, and recovery efforts, as well as flood assistance. The fund will support the communities of Hunt, Ingram, Kerrville, Center Point, and Comfort.
• Texas Search & Rescue - Texas Search and Rescue is a first responder nonprofit currently deployed in Kerr County with volunteer swift water teams, boats, drone teams, K9s, and more to assist with search and recovery efforts.
• Central Texas Mutal Aid - Hands Off Central Texas is raising funds for urgent mutual aid in Bandera, Kerr, Tom Green, and Kendall counties, supporting housing, food, and medical supplies.

Local Community Assets that Need Love:

• Riverside Nature Center - a nonprofit visitor attraction in Kerrville operating on a slim tight budget that had significant property damage. 
• Hill Country Arts Foundation - Located in the town of Ingram, this nonprofit houses artist studios, a gallery, and an indoor and outdoor theater campus putting on productions for more than 65 years. 

From our earned revenue fund, Explore Asheville has pledged a donation to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country. This contribution reflects our gratitude for the incredible support we received from our partners nationwide, as well as our commitment to assist fellow destination communities during their time of greatest need.

We're just over a week into July, and Independent Retailer Month is in full swing! Our July Indie Retail Challenge is live, but we need your help spreading the word. Shoppers who check in at five or more indie retailers using the Explore Asheville app are entered to win a basket of local goodies plus two tickets to Biltmore! All retailers with a listing on ExploreAsheville.com are automatically included in the scavenger hunt. Watch this video to see how it works!

Help drive foot traffic to local businesses and promote the scavenger hunt by sharing these graphics on social media or printing this flyer for your storefront, front desk, restaurant window, etc. The full Independent Retailer Month Partner Toolkit below includes additional social media graphics, content ideas, sample copy, and more ways to shine a spotlight on the people, places, and stories behind the area's vibrant indie retail scene.

Help visitors make the most of their time in Asheville—and keep our local economy thriving. The official Asheville Visitor Guide connects guests with locally owned shops, restaurants, galleries, and experiences that make our city shine.

Stocking the guide in your business is a simple way to support fellow locals and keep dollars circulating right here in our community. August deliveries go out soon—get your order in now to stay stocked!