The Helene Milestone Day of Service was created to honor the loss our region endured, the extraordinary acts of service that continue to support recovery today, and the strength, compassion, and resilience shown by the people of Western North Carolina. This day is more than a commemoration; it is a call to action. It is an invitation to residents, families, and visitors alike to give back. We hope you can join us next week at one of three opportunities:

NEW, VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: GreenWorks (10 a.m.–2 p.m.) Help collect trash and clean up the French Broad River. We will be getting in and out of our canoes and wading in the water from Pearson Bridge to Silver-Line Park. 👉 SIGN UP 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: RiverLink (1-3 p.m.) Help maintain Karen Cragnolin Park's native pollinator meadow and riverbank restoration. Light to moderate gardening work (weeding, mulching, watering). 👉 SIGN UP

AT CAPACITY: Food Connection (10:45 a.m.–2 p.m.) Help with food rescue operations, meal packing, and get a tour of their beloved food truck, Fran! Multiple time slots available. WAITLIST

Recovery is an ongoing commitment to care and community. Can't make it September 23? Find more volunteer opportunities at Hands on Asheville-Buncombe: https://www.handsonasheville.org/need/

In the spirit of honoring, reflecting, and looking ahead, our team launched a dedicated Helene One-Year Milestone landing page that brings together stories and videos showcasing recovery across every sector, along with a roundup of events commemorating this milestone. It is both a reflection on how far we’ve come, an acknowledgement of the work still to be done, and an invitation to join us for peak season—to experience the beauty, culture, and community that make the Asheville area deeply rooted and ever-evolving.

Don't see your event listed on the Helene Milestone Events Calendar? We encourage you to submit it by clicking below. When submitting, select "Helene Milestone Events" to help community members discover these meaningful opportunities to reflect and connect.

Need assistance? Contact Partnership Coordinator Shelby Pearsall for support. Be on the lookout for our comprehensive roundup of Helene commemoration events this Friday.

Next week, we’ll gather at Highland Brewing for the Heroes of Helene event to honor the spirit that carried us through the storm and the people who made recovery possible. The program will recognize the first responders, healthcare professionals, utility workers, and countless others who showed up when it mattered most. All guests will receive a free meal ticket and free beer or NA beverage upon entrance. Enjoy live music, local food, and community connection—everyone is welcome to attend this free, outdoor event.

Hosted by the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, Explore Asheville, Highland Brewing, the City of Asheville, and Buncombe County.

Buncombe-County-based nonprofits and municipal partners can now apply for Explore Asheville's Festival and Cultural Events (F&CE) Support Fund to receive financial assistance for local events that make Asheville and Buncombe County a wonderful place to live and visit. To qualify, events must take place between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2026. For full eligibility requirements and more information, click here.

We’ve loved seeing your takes and personalizations of the new Open & Ready partner toolkit! In case you missed it, we're resharing the marketing assets for the messaging campaign marking one year since Hurricane Helene and celebrating the Asheville area's resilience. Now’s the time to participate if you haven’t had the chance already.

EASY-TO-USE GRAPHICS & MESSAGES FOR YOUR BUSINESS:

• Ready-to-use social media carousels (just add your photos and customize!)
• "Then & Now" templates to showcase your one-year progress
• Recovery progress stats to share: 350+ miles of Blue Ridge Parkway open, 380+ artists in River Arts District, 600+ festivals, live music, and seasonal events

📣 Challenge: We’re asking every partner to share at least one piece of content per week from this toolkit. Together, these small actions build a big collective impact.

Use this toolkit to join us as we invite guests to be part of what's next: to witness the beauty, support local businesses, and feel the energy of the Asheville area in full color.

Last Friday, Explore Asheville partnered with J/PR to host a media training and partner resources webinar for our partner network as we head into fall and the one-year Helene milestone. In case you missed it, you can access the PowerPoint and webinar recording below, including:

• Interview basics for live or on-air settings
• Tips to confidently prepare and deliver your message
• Guidance on handling media requests and telling your story effectively
• Helpful tips for working with the new Explore Asheville Partner Toolkit: Open and Ready

  ACCESS THE WEBINAR RECORDING

Update on the WNC Strong Media Center: As we've monitored media interest, it has become clear that the current media landscape is calling for a more flexible approach. We will not be moving forward with the media center concept as originally envisioned. Instead, we will focus our efforts on supporting coverage directly, responding to media requests on a case-by-case basis, and ensuring that outlets have access to the people and stories they need.

To ensure your stories are still front and center, send media requests or needs for b-roll and other assets to news@exploreasheville.com and fill out the partner form so we can help connect media with your stories and contacts.

When 97% of readers say a guide made their Asheville trip better—you know it works. With both print and digital editions, the Asheville Visitor Guide is the most trusted and effective resource for the millions of travelers exploring Asheville each year.

Why advertise?

• Targeted distribution across Western North Carolina
• Placed in hotels, visitor centers, and attractions where travelers decide what to do next
• Packed with engaging stories that keep travelers planning, booking, and exploring longer

Don’t miss this opportunity to put your business directly in the hands of visitors before and during their stay.

📩 Contact asheville@sagacitymedia.com to view the official 2026 Media Kit with rates designed for every budget. Book your ad space by October 10 to secure your spot in the guide!

Fall is here—and visitors are arriving ready to explore! Make sure you’ve got plenty of The Official Asheville Visitor Guides on hand so your guests can find the best drives, events, and local favorites. Place your request by noon on September 24 to guarantee delivery before the season hits full swing.

Buncombe County is revisiting its Systemwide Parks & Recreation Master Plan, which paused after Hurricane Helene changed our landscape and staff pivoted to restoring damaged parks. Now, the county is gathering fresh feedback to set new goals for parks, greenways, trails, and open spaces. Your input will guide priorities for repairs, upgrades, and future projects so the plan reflects today’s community needs. A short survey, closing on September 26, is open now to update the vision first shared in 2023.

Thank you to the 250+ local travel and hospitality partners and community leaders who joined us at the Wortham Center for the 2025 BCTDA Annual Meeting! The event recognized the industry's collective recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene and previewed major cultural events coming to the Asheville area that are set to inspire travel and support the region’s economic rebound this fall, including the North American premiere of Trolls: A Field Study at The North Carolina Arboretum (Nov. 15–Feb. 17) and The Asheville Sessions: Celebrating 100 Years of Americana and Appalachia (Nov. 6–9).

We distributed the FY25 BCTDA Annual Report at the meeting, chronicling Explore Asheville's pivot from destination promotion to community collaboration and economic recovery following Hurricane Helene. 

Click below to see event photos captured by local photographer Camilla Calnan. Special thanks to our partners Catering By Corey and Asheville Jazz Collective for providing the delicious bites and warm tunes! 

• Amy Reader Artist
• Asheville Art Supply
• Asheville Elevated Photography
• Brian Kennedy Productions
• BRU AVL
• Cappstract Art
• Cherry Tree Beads
• Crystal and Collectible Co.
• DayTrip
• Ebb and Flow Massage Therapy Center
• Fifth Season Gardening
• Foraging Home
• Garden Party
• Jaime Hadnagy Photography
• Li Newton Mixed Media Collage

• Love in Color Photography and Videography
• North Carolina Glass Center - Black Mountain
• Piccolina
• Posana Biltmore Park
• Price 4 Limo Asheville
• Sachi Spa
• Silver Moon Photography
• St.Rains
• The Lucas Gallery
• The Refinery
• The Whale :: South Slope
• UpMarket Gallery
• WNC Vantastic