Thanks again to the nearly 350 community leaders and travel and hospitality partners who joined us at The Orange Peel for Explore Asheville’s The Year Ahead: Inspiring Community & Collaboration!

In case you missed it, we highlighted major initiatives designed to drive Western North Carolina’s economic recovery this year, including the PGA TOUR’s return to Asheville (tickets on sale in March), new arts and cultural experiences, and $12.4 million in Tourism Product Development Fund (TPDF) investments. We also presented the 13th Annual Superstar Awards, recognizing four community leaders for their invaluable contributions and support.

Couldn’t make the event? Read the full event recap here.

Special thanks to all of our panelists and speakers, our event photographer, Rachael McIntosh, Pisgah Audio Video Lighting for equipment rental, Everyday Gourmet for delicious catering, and The Orange Peel staff for hosting us in their incredible venue! Be sure to check out our event photo album below, which captures the celebration of our community's exciting year ahead!

SoCon Week is just around the corner! The Ingles Southern Conference (SoCon) Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships will return to Asheville March 5–9 at Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville, alongside the Explore Asheville SoCon Wrestling Championships, March 6–7 at the Kimmel Arena at UNC - Asheville.

Drawing an estimated 7,400 sports fans, families, and athletes to Asheville with an estimated $9.6 million in economic impact to our community, this is a great opportunity to get your business in front of visitors during a high-traffic week.

Engage with SoCon Fans

Make your business a destination for tournament attendees! Offer a special package or deal on ExploreAsheville.com to connect with visitors during SoCon Week. Here are a few easy ideas:

• Show your SoCon ticket and get 15% off your purchase
• Gameday food and drink specials
• Discounted admission for SoCon attendees
• Family package discounts

Click here for instructions on adding a deal in the Explore Asheville Partner Portal. Be sure to select "SoCon Deals" when uploading your offer. Need help? Contact us partnersupport@exploreasheville.com.

Join in on the Action!

Don't miss out on the excitement! Get your Basketball and Wrestling tournament tickets today. Plus, connect with fellow business leaders and sports enthusiasts at these special events at Battery Park Hall: 

• 2026 Hall of Fame at the SoCon Soiree | March 5 | 7 p.m. | Official kickoff to SoCon Week, blending energy and tradition while celebrating today's competition and honoring legends of the past.
• Business Leader Forum ft. former UNC Head Coach Roy Williams | March 6 | 3 p.m. | Join legendary coach Roy Williams for an inspiring conversation on leadership that endures—on the court, in business, and in life.

This is your reminder to stock up on the 2026 Official Asheville Destination Guide as we head into the new year. This editorial-forward guide features original storytelling, local artist spotlights, and curated recommendations that showcase Asheville’s creative culture and sense of place. Designed for both visitors and locals, the Destination Guide is a year-round resource that’s ideal for helping guests discover the people, places, and experiences that make Asheville distinct.

Is your New Year's resolution to eat great food? Have more adventures? Try a new restaurant? Toast the new year and support the local restaurants you love during Asheville Restaurant Week, Jan. 20–26 & Feb. 17–23!

See who's participating at ashevillechamber.org/restaurant-week. New restaurants and specials are posted frequently. From casual to fine dining, Asheville Restaurant Week has something for everyone.

Restaurants: there's still time to sign up and participate! Interested in offering a special? Click here to learn more.

Buncombe County’s Strategic Partnership Grants (SPG) program supports community-based projects that advance objectives and goals of the Buncombe County Strategic Plan 2030. All funded projects must demonstrate clear alignment with one or more of the strategic plan’s focus areas and goals.

Eligibility overview:

• Applicants must be nonprofit organizations operating in Buncombe County and serving its residents
• Applicants are encouraged to submit projects that contribute to recovery from Tropical Storm Helene
• Projects must directly support one or more strategic objectives of Buncombe County’s Strategic Plan 2030

Applications are due Feb. 20 at 12 p.m. Organizations must apply online through Buncombe County’s grant software, which can be accessed here. Click below to read the full grant guidelines.

Calling all outdoor gear manufacturers, outfitters, and retailers! We encourage you to apply to showcase your products at the 11th Annual Get in Gear Fest, taking place April 25 at New Belgium Brewing. This festival celebrates everything outdoors, featuring an exciting marketplace of outdoor gear and local experiences, special deals, local food and beverages, and family fun.

Get in Gear Fest attracts hundreds of outdoor enthusiasts each year and targets national, regional, and local press, offering incredible exposure for outdoor businesses. Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis, with applications approved on a rolling basis. Don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of this high-energy event celebrating the outdoors and local industry!

The City of Asheville is inviting residents, nonprofit leaders, business owners, and community stakeholders to participate in a public engagement survey for the development of its first-ever Urban Forest Master Plan (UFMP). The plan will serve as a comprehensive roadmap for the sustainable management, protection, and enhancement of Asheville's urban forest for decades to come.

Feedback from the public will help the City understand community priorities, values, and concerns regarding the urban forest, which will help guide future policy, resource allocation, and management strategies.

The five-minute survey is available online and will be open for submissions through March 27, 2026. An ongoing list of public presentations and engagement opportunities is provided on the project website. Visit ashevillenc.gov/trees for more information. 

Thank you to all of our partners who took the time and care to drop off food donations at our office for the #FeedWNC community food drive. Together, the initiative delivered more than 2,000 pounds of food to MANNA Foodbank over the past two months, making a tangible difference for our neighbors during a time of need and sustained financial uncertainty.

We’re also excited to relay that #FeedWNC will now be a yearly initiative in partnership with MANNA Foodbank. We are grateful for your contributions and for the way our partners show up for our community.