Explore Asheville is inviting partners to share their feedback in our 2026 Partner Survey. This 10-minute survey asks about your business needs, what you find most useful, and where Explore Asheville can focus to better support our partners. Your feedback will help guide everything from training opportunities and event programming to communications and partner resources.

We ask for at least one response per organization by Monday, Feb. 23 at 5 p.m. Additional responses from your team are welcome and will help us hear from a range of roles and perspectives across the partner community. As a thank-you, all participants can opt in for the opportunity to receive one of 10 $50 gift cards to a local travel and hospitality business of their choice.

Explore Asheville’s Business Development team has booked 12 meetings and events through mid-April, bringing thousands of visitors to the Asheville area and Buncombe County and more than $13.8 million in estimated direct spending to our community. This means plenty of visitors will be exploring the area, looking for places to eat, things to do, and ways to experience what our community has to offer.

Upcoming events include:

• AFAR Media Employee Retreat | March 2–5 | 55 attendees
• National Forest Foundation Retreat | March 2–5 | 170 attendees
• Ingles SoCon Basketball Championships | March 5–9 | 6500 attendees 
• Explore Asheville SoCon Wrestling Championships | March 6–7 | 900 attendees
• FIRST Competition 2026 | March 13–15 | 800 attendees
• 2026 Visit NC Tourism Conference | March 16–18 | 575 attendees
• 2026 Miles Avery Challenge | March 20–22 | 500 attendees
• Asheville Marathon & Half | March 21 | 2000 attendees
• 2026 Nurse Practitioner Spring Symposium | March 22–24 | 400 attendees
• Open Call Dance Competition | April 3–4 | 500 attendees
• Mountain-to-Sea Trail's 2026 Gathering of Friends | April 10–12 | 300 attendees
• Ville to Ville Craft Beer Relay | April 11 | 2000 attendees

Keep these dates on your radar for opportunities to connect with these visitors through special offers, discounts, or aligned offerings. Have questions or want to run an idea by us? Message us at partnersupport@exploreasheville.com.

Explore Asheville is excited to share two opportunities for Buncombe County students interested in pursuing careers in travel and hospitality:

• Explore Asheville Travel & Hospitality Internship: Hands-on experience for rising high school juniors/seniors (16+) through work at Explore Asheville and local partner businesses. Internship applications are reviewed on a rolling basis—apply early! Learn more and apply here. 
• Explore Asheville Hospitality Scholarship: Up to $2,500 annually for tuition and educational expenses at any North Carolina post-secondary institution. Applicants must be 16+, have a minimum 2.5 GPA, meet residency requirements, and demonstrate a genuine interest and commitment to pursuing a career in hospitality or related fields. Learn more and apply here.

Both applications close March 18. Questions? Contact Kimberly Puryear at kpuryear@exploreasheville.com. Please share with students, counselors, and educators in your network!

Bringing nearly 7,400 visitors and $9.6 million in estimated economic impact, SoCon Week offers great opportunities to connect with visitors. One easy way to capture tournament-goers is by listing a special offer for fans on ExploreAsheville.com. Add a gameday special, ticket holder discount, or package in the Partner Portal and select "SoCon Deals" to be featured on our Packages & Deals page and the SoCon microsite built specifically for tournament travelers. Click here for instructions. 

Join in On the Action!

• Volunteer With Us March 6–7: Join us at the Explore Asheville SoCon Wrestling Championships for a three-hour shift assisting with tickets, credentials, or team escort. Sign up today to help create an exceptional experience for athletes and fans! 
• Get Tickets: Don't miss out on cheering on this year's best teams in the Southern Conference. Secure your seats for the basketball championships and wrestling championships today!
• Attend Special Events: From the SoCon Soirée kickoff event to the Business Leaders Forum with Coach Roy Williams, there are multiple opportunities to join in on the fun during SoCon Week. Click here to learn more.

Explore Asheville is excited to partner with the travel industry nonprofit Tourism Cares to host its 2026 North American Meaningful Travel Summit, taking place April 14–16 at the YMI Cultural Center and various locations in Asheville. This three-day gathering will bring together 150+ travel professionals—including tour operators, meeting planners, destinations, and travel advisors—who are shaping the future of responsible travel. 

Local Opportunity: Asheville-area businesses can purchase a special one-day pass to participate in the Summit’s Education Day and Networking Reception on April 14 —a unique chance to connect directly with the travel trade, share your story, and explore new collaboration opportunities.

At the Summit, you’ll:

• Gain best practices in sustainable tourism from peers and industry experts
• Build meaningful connections with global travel trade professionals
• Experience firsthand how meaningful travel can drive impact and growth

NEW! View the Summit's agenda here: https://www.tourismcares.org/asheville-agenda.

Asheville Downtown Association recently shared a few opportunities relevant to our partners with connections to Downtown Asheville:

State of Downtown Survey: Input is needed from downtown business owners, employees, property owners, residents, and visitors to inform future planning. This survey is one way the Asheville Downtown Association (ADA), the Asheville Downtown Improvement District (ADID), and public partners listen to and learn from people who experience Downtown in different ways. Take the survey here.

New ADID Text Service: A quick reminder that the ADID now offers text-for-service. Text a photo and location to 877-828-2343 for prompt assistance from the Ambassador team.

The North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association recently announced the 2026 Stars of the Industry award recipients, honoring exceptional hospitality professionals and businesses from across the state and celebrating excellence at every level, from front-line team members to executive leadership. We are proud to share that several of Asheville’s own were honored as 2026 Stars of the Industry:

• Thomas Barton, Embassy Suites by Hilton Asheville Downtown, Lodging Employee of the Year
• William Dissen, The Market Place, Restaurateur of the Year
• Brenda Durden, Asheville Hotel Group, Lodging Operator of the Year
• Christopher Lovegood, Soprana Rooftop Cucina, Restaurant Employee of the Year

Congratulations to our partners—we are grateful for your leadership, service, and dedication to the travel and hospitality industry!