Partner Newsletter | April 15, 2026
Spring Clean Your Listing | Upcoming Partner Events & Networking Opportunities | LIFT Fund Grant Cycle Now Open | Order Destination Guides | Send Us Your Seasonal News | Volunteer at Biltmore Championship Asheville | Mark Your Calendar | National Spotlights | Partner Poll
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| Time for a Spring Refresh on Your Explore Asheville Listing |
Visitors are actively planning spring and summer trips to the Asheville area—make sure your business listing on ExploreAsheville.com is ready to make a great first impression! If it’s been a while since you logged in to the Explore Asheville Partner Portal, now is a great time for a quick spring refresh.
Here are three easy things you can do today:
1. Upload new photos: Fresh, seasonal visuals help your listing stand out. We recommend updating photos at least twice a year.
2. Refresh your description: Highlight what’s new and confirm that your hours, offerings, and details are accurate.
3. Update your contacts: Keeping your team's contact information current ensures you never miss important communications, partnership opportunities, or time-sensitive announcements from us.
Need access to the portal? Contact Partnership Coordinator Shelby Pearsall to get set up with an account. Click here for several helpful guides on using the portal.
| LOG IN TO THE PARTNER PORTAL |
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Join us for the third annual Travel & Hospitality Earth Day Cleanup, supported by MountainTrue, RiverLink, and Asheville GreenWorks. Choose your preferred location, participate in a one-hour cleanup, then enjoy a post-event social with local drinks and light bites. Everyone is welcome—bring your colleagues, friends, and family. Register today and take part in a facet of our community’s rebound.
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Join us in celebrating National Travel & Tourism Week at our third annual Heroes of Hospitality Awards Luncheon, recognizing and honoring the dedication of front-line staff and volunteers in our community’s travel and hospitality industry. All ticket proceeds will support local students through the Explore Asheville Workforce Programs.
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| Travel & Hospitality Night at McCormick Field |
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Celebrate our community's travel and hospitality industry with an exciting night of baseball as the Asheville Tourists face the Rome, Georgia Emperors! Travel and hospitality industry employees can purchase discounted $5 tickets online using the code EXPLORE. Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to enjoy America's favorite pastime while connecting with others in your field.
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| Legacy Investment from Tourism Fund Grant Cycle Now Open |
The 2026 application cycle for the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority’s Legacy Investment From Tourism (LIFT) Fund is now open. The fund provides strategic investment in tourism-related capital projects that increase patronage of lodging, meeting, and convention facilities in Buncombe County while benefiting the community at large.
The LIFT Fund is supported by occupancy tax paid by visitors who stay overnight in Buncombe County’s lodging properties, including hotels, vacation rentals, and bed-and-breakfast inns. The authority estimates that approximately $11 million will be available for investment in this year’s funding cycle.
| LEARN MORE AND APPLY |
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| Spring Starts with the Guide |
Place your order by May 6 to receive the next delivery of the 2026 Official Asheville Destination Guide. Filled with seasonal recommendations, insider tips, and can’t-miss events, the guide helps visitors navigate Asheville with ease and discover more while they’re here.
| RESTOCK TODAY |
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Spring is here, and we want to hear about your seasonal news! Send updates and announcements to news@exploreasheville.com; the inbox is monitored by teammates who work with national and regional press and create content for our social channels and website. Here are some examples of what is great to share:
- Grand openings or new locations
- Seasonal events or special promotions
- Awards or recognitions
- Seasonal menu changes
- Community initiatives or partnerships
If you have something new or exciting coming up this spring or summer, we want to hear about it at least 4–6 weeks out if possible—this gives our team time to work them into content calendars. Keeping us informed helps maximize exposure for your offerings and events across our website, social channels, and marketing initiatives.
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| Register to Volunteer at the Biltmore Championship Asheville |
Be a part of something special in our community! PGA TOUR is inviting you to go beyond the ropes at the inaugural Biltmore Championship Asheville and play a key role as a tournament volunteer. From gallery management to spectator information to working in hospitality spaces, and more, there is a position perfect for you.
The Biltmore Championship Asheville volunteer package includes:
- Official Biltmore Championship Asheville polo
- Official Biltmore Championship Asheville outerwear
- Official credentials granting access to the grounds all week, even when off shift
- Commemorative pin
For questions on how to get involved, please reach out to BCAVolunteers@pgatourhq.com.
| REGISTER TO VOLUNTEER |
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- Forbes | Asheville Is Ready for Its Comeback
- Town & Country | Appalachian Surprise
- Travel + Leisure | Swap Crowded National Parks for These 6 State Parks That Offer All the Beauty and None of the Lines
- Travel Noire | The Black Culinary Renaissance Happening In Asheville, North Carolina
- Food & Wine | The Top 10 Small US Cities for Food and Drink, According to the Experts
- Islands | The Best Places In North Carolina For A Beer-Centric Trip
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What would you like to see more of in this newsletter?
After responding, if you need to make a change, click here.
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Delivering Balanced & Sustainable Growth
Encouraging Safe & Responsible Travel
Engaging & Inviting More Diverse Audiences
Promoting & Supporting Asheville's
Creative Spirit
| FOLLOW OUR PROGRESS |
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