In This Issue | March 15, 2023
Year of the Trail | Spring Clean Your Listings | Call for Vendors and Volunteers | Temporary Garage Closure | New Partners | Upcoming Events | National Spotlights
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NC YEAR OF THE TRAIL
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| Hosting a Year of the Trail Event? Let Us Promote it for You! |
2023 marks a significant milestone in North Carolina’s outdoor recreation history with the state’s first-ever Year of the Trail designation, bringing together communities across the state to celebrate our trails.
As part of this campaign, Explore Asheville is recognizing our region’s vast network of trails and the people, organizations, and businesses who contribute to them. Are you hosting a trail-related event this year, such as a guided hike, clean-up, educational event, or group outing? We want to spotlight it!
When you add your event and select the “Year of the Trail” category, we will highlight it on Explore Asheville’s new Year of the Trail webpage, which will be published in early April. Additionally, we'll promote it on Explore Asheville’s social media channels and through our PR outreach.
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PARTNER RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES
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| Freshen Up Your Account Listings for Spring Break |
🌱 Refresh your business description so it's current and speaks to your audience. The more descriptive, the better.
🌷Roll out new images to engage viewers and invite clicks to your website.
🐝 Update your account contacts to remove the people who no longer work there and add the new ones that do.
🌈 Review your Amenities selected in your listings to ensure visitors can find you. This can include seasonal business hours and specials.
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| Participate in the Leading Outdoor Industry Event in WNC |
Celebrate the Outdoor Industry Hub of the East at the Outdoor Gear Builders’ 8th Annual Get In Gear Fest, sponsored by Explore Asheville, on Saturday, May 6, 12–5 pm at the Outpost - 521 Amboy Road.
Get In Gear Fest features local and regional companies, gear demos, sales, music, food, and fun for the whole family. Vendor applications are open to the public until April 30, 2023, with booth spaces starting at $500.
Outdoor Gear Builders is looking for volunteers at various times from 8 am to 6 pm for two-hour shifts who will receive an appreciation gift for their service.
Sponsorship opportunities and general event info can be found at GetInGearFest.com
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Find real-time parking options on the City of Asheville's Where's Parking website or learn more about monthly parking passes.
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| Start Spring Early with Local Festivals & Cultural Events |
| This Month's Recipients of Explore Asheville's Festivals & Cultural Events Support Fund |
The Festivals & Cultural Events Support Fund Grant Program 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. Upcoming events include:
- Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center's {Re} Happening | April 8 | the event’s 11th anniversary features a host of artists presenting an immersive collection of projects in the tradition of BMC—installation, sound, movement, visual art, and interactive media.
- Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center's Walk Through History Series: Thomas Chapel | April 12 | The series is an opportunity for WNC residents to get to know the rich history of the Swannanoa Valley. This month's event focuses on the first church for Black residents of Black Mountain.
In addition to the Festivals & Cultural Events Support Fund, the BCTDA offers Event Sponsorship Funding to Buncombe County-based nonprofits on a quarterly basis. We are accepting the next round of applications for review until Monday, May 15.
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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, Thursday, March 23. 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.
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- Travel + Leisure | This State is Called the 'Great Trails State' Thanks to these Waterfall Treks, National Park Hikes, and a 700-mile Route from Mountains to Sea
- Fodors | 14 Stunning Frozen Waterfalls Across North America
- USA Today | Authors on Book Tour Share their Top 10 Favorite Independent Bookstores in the South
- Southern Living | How to Spend a Winter Weekend in Asheville, North Carolina
- Skift | The Foundry Hotel Helps Engage with Asheville, N.C.'s Black Community
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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
| Follow Our Progress |
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