Play Through the Mountains is a community-wide initiative helping visitors discover places to eat, shop, stay, and explore across Buncombe County during Biltmore Championship Asheville week. Developed in collaboration with the Buncombe County Strategic Coalition, the campaign will feature curated itineraries, maps, social media content, PR efforts, and printed materials with QR codes pointing visitors to participating businesses.

You don’t need to offer a discount to participate. A limited menu item, themed experience, or simply wanting to be included are all welcome. Here’s how to participate:

• Have a special offer, discount, or package? Submit a package or deal through the Explore Asheville Partner Portal, and approved offers will be featured on the Play Through the Mountains page.
• No offer, but want to be featured? Fill out the Partner Interest Form.

Submit an offer or form response by July 24 to be considered for maps, itineraries, and promotional materials. All packages and deals submitted after the deadline will be listed on the Play Through the Mountains landing page, but may not be included in other materials.

Click below to view the full Biltmore Championship Asheville Week Partner Toolkit, including more information to help you prepare for tournament week, such as branding guidance, ticketing details, lodging resources, and marketing materials.

The Biltmore Championship Asheville, taking place September 17–20, is committed to creating lasting, positive impact across the region. Its new grant program reflects that commitment, with two $10,000 grants supporting initiatives in Conservation and Sustainability and Creative Spirit. Buncombe County nonprofit organizations focused on conservation, sustainability, or creativity are encouraged to apply now through July 31. Click below for additional details and application information. 

Registration for Birdies for Charity, a Biltmore Championship Asheville fundraising program for Western North Carolina nonprofits, is now open. Participating organizations solicit donations from their supporters, keep 100% of funds raised, and receive a share of a tournament-funded $50,000 bonus pool based on their fundraising efforts. 

The program is open to organizations operating and serving citizens in Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, and/or Madison counties. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, government entities with a funding request to serve the public, and educational institutions. Registration is open now through August 28.

Between now and the end of September, Explore Asheville's Business Development team has booked 102 meetings and events that will bring thousands of visitors to Asheville and Buncombe County, with an estimated $32.6 million in direct spending. These are travelers who are already here for events and meetings, and will be looking for places to eat, drink, shop, and explore.

Take a look at some of the largest groups coming to town below—it may spark some ideas for offers such as themed deals, group-friendly experiences, targeted specials, or even a chalkboard sign welcoming a specific group. If you put together any deals, don’t forget to list them on the Packages and Deals page of ExploreAsheville.com through the Partner Portal.

Upcoming large groups (300+ attendees) include: 

Summer and fall visitors are eager to make the most of Western North Carolina's biodiverse and majestic outdoor offerings. Thanks to the Outdoor Business Alliance, finding expert help has never been easier. Their Go With A Guide campaign brings together outdoor guides from across the region on a single, easy-to-navigate webpage. Whether you're helping a visitor plan their first adventure or you are looking to explore somewhere new with your family and friends, this tool makes it simple to recreate safely and responsibly.

Place your order now to receive the August shipment of the 2026 Official Asheville Destination Guide. Filled with seasonal recommendations, insider tips, and can’t-miss events, the guide helps visitors navigate the Asheville area with ease and discover more while they’re here.

Heads up! Our partners may receive a phone call or email from a company called Destination Travel Network (DTN) in the coming weeks. DTN is Explore Asheville’s advertising sales partner and has worked with us to develop a unique sponsored content program that will deliver your message on ExploreAsheville.com to a ready-to-spend visitor audience.

The DTN Paid Content Program offers a variety of placements and programs that can be tailored to meet your specific marketing and budget needs. Plus, the DTN team offers free creative services to help get your program running quickly, easy access to performance reporting, and a friendly support team. If you're interested in getting connected with the DTN team now, please email partnersupport@exploreasheville.com. Otherwise, the DTN team will be reaching out to partners about the program in the coming weeks.

The North Carolina Arts Council Artist Support Grant is a regional grant program that supports emerging or established artists to create work, improve their business operations, or bring their work to new audiences. Grants range from $500–$1,500. The deadline to apply is August 17 at 11:59 p.m.

This year, the Region 17 grant is supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources. Region 17 is led by ArtsAVL and supports artists in Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Polk, Rutherford, and Transylvania counties.

Summer Social: August 18, 3–6 p.m

Join Explore Asheville and fellow travel and hospitality partners for an afternoon of community and connection as we celebrate the summer season together—more details to follow soon.

BCTDA Annual Meeting: October 1

With the support of our partners, Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority have made major strides this past fiscal year. On October 1, we will celebrate these achievements together at The Renaissance Hotel as we rebound and propel forward at the 2026 BCTDA Annual Meeting.

Five local students are spending the summer with Explore Asheville, discovering Buncombe County's travel and hospitality industry from the inside out. Last month, we welcomed Max Segal, Maddie Yeatman, Edie Rogers, Sara Wallace, and Riley Andreacola to the Explore Asheville Travel and Hospitality Internship Program. 

So far, the cohort has visited partners such as Kimpton Hotel Arras, HomeTrust Park, Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site, The Orange Peel, Chai Pani, and many more, gaining firsthand insight into the behind-the-scenes work that makes our community a memorable destination. They’re also collaborating on a summer research project focused on sustainability in Buncombe County's travel and hospitality industry. Thank you to all the partners welcoming them along the way!