In This Issue | May 19, 2023
LIFT Committee Forming | AAPI Heritage Month| AdventureELEVATE Conference | Open House Photos | Downtown Safety Initiative | College Patton Project Survey | Welcome New Partners | Upcoming Events | National Spotlights
COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS
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| Legacy Investment From Tourism (LIFT) Fund Committee Forming |
The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA) is seeking candidates for the forthcoming LIFT committee. This committee will make recommendations to the BCTDA to fund tourism-related capital projects that will increase patronage at lodging facilities in Buncombe County by attracting visitors, business travelers, or both, and benefit the community at large in Buncombe County.
Click below for more information on the LIFT Fund, committee member roles and responsibilities, and the online application.
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ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER
HERITAGE MONTH
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Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) enrich Asheville's hospitality landscape making our hotels welcoming, our dining experiences unforgettable, and our industry more inclusive. We are celebrating National Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by spotlighting local AAPI leaders and businesses in our instagram stories. Help us recognize your AAPI business by tagging us in your social media posts so we can reshare!
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PARTNER RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES
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| Asheville to Host AdventureELEVATE Conference in 2024 |
We are thrilled to announce that Asheville has been selected as the host city for AdventureELEVATE North America, the annual Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) conference. It will be the first time this event will be held in the Southeast, making it a significant opportunity to showcase the region.
Taking place from June 11 to 13, 2024, this three-day event will bring together media, tour operators, and thought leaders in the adventure travel community from around the world. The conference will provide professional development opportunities for regional outfitters right here at home.
Explore Asheville will host ATTA this June for the first site planning visit and a tourism attractions collaborative. Invites to the ATTA planning meeting are coming out soon!
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| That's a Wrap on National Travel and Tourism Week |
National Travel and Tourism Week was a huge success! We received uplifting news of last year's record-breaking visitor spending in our state and rejoiced with nearly 130 partners at our first open house since the pandemic. We are grateful for all partners who were able to join us, our wonderful staff, and the incredible vendors, makers, and entertainers who made the open house so unique. We would like to specifically recognize Sage & Spice Catering, Metro Wines, Chemist Spirits, Ryan Ashley the Poet, Asheville Wellness Tours, Conor Law and Taylor Pierson Jazz Duo, and Ricardo Tejeda and Jessica Montanez of Show and Tale Creative. We couldn’t have done it without you!
Congratulations to Richard Bell of Shoji Spa and Retreat for winning our passport prize!
Stay on the lookout for information about our next partner event happening August 1 at The Restoration Hotel. We are already looking forward to bringing our partners together again!
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Due to a number of incidents impacting public safety, the City of Asheville is taking steps to address the rise in crime, especially downtown. Since May 1, multiple City departments have been coordinating with community leaders and partners on a 60-day initiative to address safety downtown. The City is providing bi-weekly updates and has created a progress dashboard for this initiative.
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The City is collecting feedback on a project that would increase multimodal connectivity throughout the urban core. Local businesses, downtown workers, and the community-at-large are encouraged to provide input on the proposed pedestrian, bicycle, and loading zone improvements until Monday, June 5.
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| Live it Up at the Latest Local Festivals and Cultural Events |
| This Month's Recipients of Explore Asheville's Festivals & Cultural Events Support Fund and Event Sponsorships |
The Festivals & Cultural Events Support Fund and Event Sponsorship programs are 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:
- A Sonic Diaspora: Music of Life | May 20 | Join the Asheville Choral Society as they explore choral traditions from around the globe.
- Art in Bloom | Starts May 26 | This multifaceted event combines two gallery exhibits, live floral arrangements, and a local garden tour featuring working artists.
- Pritchard Park Summer Series | Starts May 30 | Hula hooping, bubbles and sound, songwriters, and drum circles activate Pritchard Park every Tuesday through Friday this summer.
- Bonsai as Fine Art | June 2–11 | The ten-day exhibition includes 20 works by professional bonsai artists and members of the Blue Ridge Bonsai Society.
- Asheville Honey Fest | June 4 | The second annual festival features live music, honey tastings, food trucks, vendor booths, and activities for the kiddos.
- Music on Main | June 10 | This annual one-night concert takes place on Main Street in Weaverville.
- Celebrating the History and Legacy of Juneteenth | June 12–19 | The 2023 celebration focuses on educating individuals about Juneteenth, spotlighting non-majority businesses, and involving youth as future leaders in the region.
- Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center's Walk Through History Series: Lake Tomahawk | June 14 | This month's event focuses on the creation of the lake, a project of the Works Progress Administration (WPA).
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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 office beginning at 9 am, Wednesday, May 31. 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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- New York Times | 36 Hours in Asheville
- Travel + Leisure | 11 Best Places to Travel in July
- Carolina Country | A Path for Everyone
- Queen City News | Asheville Brewery Highlights Stories of Cherokee People
- Boston Globe | Think bread is the enemy? That half-baked notion won't cut it in Asheville
- Travel + Leisure | This North Carolina City is One of the Best Places to Travel in 2023 — and It's Getting a Chic New Hotel This Month
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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