In This Issue | December 20, 2023
Season's Greetings | Black Cultural Heritage Trail | Celebrating Marla | 2024 Visitor Guide | Asheville Restaurant Week | Meet Our Partner Coordinator | New Partner Categories | Who's Coming to Town | National Spotlights

As we gather with loved ones, the holiday spirit reminds us of the power of convening and strength in unity. We wish you a joyful season and look forward to connecting in 2024!

Local leaders, government officials, and community advocates gathered last Friday at Black Wall Street to witness the unveiling of the Asheville Black Cultural Heritage Trail, marking the culmination of years of extensive community efforts. This trail celebrates the dignity, humanity, and agency of Black people from all backgrounds who built resilient communities and fostered social change in Asheville.

Made possible through a $500,000 Tourism Product Development Fund (TPDF)  investment in 2018, the Asheville Black Cultural Heritage Trail is now open to the public, inviting residents and visitors to walk through history, reflect on the resilience of Black communities, and gain insight into how their contributions have shaped Asheville and Buncombe County.

Thank you to all those who traveled near and far to honor Marla Tambellini, our senior vice president of marketing, whose contributions shaped the world of destination marketing for the past 29 years! Marla's trailblazing legacy has not only enriched our community but has left an everlasting mark on the international travel & hospitality industry.

Please join us in wishing Marla joy, relaxation, adventure, and garden time in her incredible journey ahead. May her retirement be as extraordinary as her career! 

Explore Asheville is now accepting orders for the Official 2024 Visitor Guide. Every year, we engage local photographers and writers to create content that highlights the must-see people, places, and experiences that make this community so special. Visitor Guide deliveries are scheduled to begin the week of Jan. 8.

We are excited to support the Chamber of Commerce’s Asheville Restaurant Week, taking place Jan. 16–22. More than 40 participating restaurants will offer special menus or pricing. Participating restaurants can gain additional exposure by listing deals on the Explore Asheville Packages and Deals page. All you need to do is:

1. Log into your account
2. Account > Collateral > Special Offers > New Offer
3. Select Asheville Restaurant Week as the coupon category

Shelby Pearsall is available to help you with your account setup and modifications. Originally from Huntsville, Alabama, Shelby moved to North Carolina for her studies at Appalachian State University. She’s passionate about hiking, travel, and live music, and she’s excited to shine a light on a region she loves.

As part of our strategic imperative to promote & support Asheville’s creative spirit, we are working to expand our partner categories. We have recently added “Art Workshops” and “Private Chef Experiences” as new categories to better identify and promote your businesses. If your business offers either of these experiences, please reach out to Shelby to update your listing. 

This month, our Business Development team scheduled 23 meetings and large events, projecting a direct economic impact exceeding $1.9 million. They also collaborated with representatives from local establishments and groups such as Grand Bohemian, Renaissance Asheville, Parks Hospitality Group, Biltmore Farms, McKibbon Hospitality, Crowne Plaza, FIRC Group, and The Flat Iron Hotel during the Association Executives of North Carolina (AENC) Annual Trade Show. 

Upcoming large events include:

• The Great Smoky Mountain Grapple 2023 | 1300 attendees | Dec. 14–16
• The Gala 2024 | 1600 attendees | Jan. 4–6

• AFAR | The Best Dishes to Try in Asheville, North Carolina, According to Its Top Chef
• People | Where was A Biltmore Christmas Filmed? All About the Real Locations Behind the Hallmark Movie
• Inside Hook | The 9 Best Off-Season Destinations for Winter Travel
• First Coast News | Asheville's Creative Culture and Innovators this Winter & Beyond
• The Knot | The Best Romantic Getaways in the U.S. for Every Type of Couple
• Travel + Leisure | 13 Best Places To Go in the Winter, From Ski Resorts to Sunny Beaches
• Glamour | 30 Best Girls-Trip Destinations

EXPLORE ASHEVILLE'S STRATEGIC PILLARS
Delivering Balanced Recovery & Sustainable Growth | Encouraging Safe & Responsible Travel |
Engaging & Inviting More Diverse Audiences | Promoting & Supporting Asheville's Creative Spirit