NEWS | OPPORTUNITIES | EVENTS | & MORE   

HONORING BLACK HISTORY 

NOMADNESS Uncovers Untold Stories of Asheville
Watch Evita Robinson's Latest Interviews with Local Black Leaders

As part of Explore Asheville's partnership with NOMADNESS Travel Tribe, founder Evita Robinson conducted several in-depth interviews with local BIPOC entrepreneurs, artists, and community leaders for a new video series, uncovering the rich tapestry of Asheville’s Black and Latinx communities. Hear inspiring stories from people spearheading the regeneration of Asheville's communities of color and learn more about their journeys along the way. 
Celebrate Asheville's Local Black Businesses and Creators
Experience Black Asheville through New Blog and Instagram Stories

Local influencer, Aisha Adams, highlights nine local Black-owned businesses that serve their community through entrepreneurship in the latest blog featured on the Explore Asheville website. Read Celebrating Black-Owned Businesses in Asheville, N.C., and don't forget to self-identify your business as BIPOC, woman, and/or LGBTQ+ owned on the Explore Asheville Extranet. By self-identifying, you are promoting your business to a wider, more diverse audience of locals and visitors.

Log In, Scroll Down, Click on Minority Designations

Also this month, six local creators took over Explore Asheville's Instagram Stories with a daily vlog that shares their stories and introduces followers to their craft. These stories will forever live on our Black History story highlight reel. 

PARTNER OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES
Get Your Local Products in the Hands of Visitors
Meeting Planners Could Include Your Merch as a Welcome Gift 

Weddings, business meetings, and large groups often welcome their guests with gift bags upon arrival. Now we're making it easier than ever to have your products discovered by these groups.

Explore Asheville’s group sales team is publishing a new online Welcome Bag Gift Guide to support meeting organizers in planning their events in Asheville. The guide will highlight a curated list of locally crafted products and could feature your merchandise. Think small scale (can fit in a gift bag), portable, and available for bulk ordering. Do you have a product that would be a great welcome gift for groups coming to Asheville? We want to know!

Applications must be received by Monday, February 20. Click below for more details and to apply.
Last Chance to 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 SoConSports.com. Click the button below for the Explore Asheville Extranet coupon instructions. Don’t forget to use the coupon category “SoCon.”
 
Food Vendors Wanted for Downtown Events

The Asheville Downtown Association seeks vendors for this year's Downtown After 5, Independence Day Celebration, and Oktoberfest events. Applications are due Friday, February 10. Fees and requirements can be found here. 
Weigh In on the Expansion of Affordable Parking

Buncombe County is collecting input on a potential expansion of its affordable parking program. Local business workers are encouraged to take the brief survey before Friday, February 24.

IN THE COMMUNITY
Who's Coming to Town this Season
Conventions, Large Group Meetings, and Events Spark Visitation

With the support of our partners (like you!), Explore Asheville has been able to attract nearly 10,000 visitors to Buncombe County for group functions from now until March 15. Our sales team tailors each visit so that all guests have a quality experience and gain access to meet and support local businesses, makers, and community members.

Meetings and Conventions
 
Sports and Athletic Events
 
See Who Attended The Year Ahead Partner Event
Tag Your Photo, Share it with Your Network, and Join Us Next Month!

We would like to extend our gratitude to the nearly 250 industry partners who joined us for the inaugural The Year Ahead partner event. There was a broad array of industry partners, from hoteliers to artists, restaurateurs, community organizations, policy leaders, and others, who all gathered to learn about the exciting projects in the works around Asheville and Buncombe County. We love watching this community come together, and luckily we don’t have to wait very long for our next event! Stay tuned for details on the Hospitality Outlook, our next event coming in late March. 
Warm Welcome to Our New Partners
We are Delighted to Shine a Light on Your Creativity

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Upcoming Festivals & Cultural Events  
This Season's Recipients of Explore Asheville's Festivals & Cultural Events Support Fund

The Festivals & Cultural Events Support Fund Grant Program was launched in 2016 by the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA) and is designed to provide financial support for events that serve both the residents of Buncombe County and the visitors who travel to the Asheville area for its authenticity and welcoming spirit. Upcoming events include:

In addition to the Festivals & Cultural Events Support Fund, the BCTDA offers Sponsorship Funding to Buncombe County-based nonprofits on a quarterly basis. The next round of applications is due by Wednesday, February 15.

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 9 am, Wednesday, February 22. 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. 

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

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