FREE PIZZA AND BEER SERVED UP TO TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY EMPLOYEES WHO SERVE OTHERS

Explore Asheville Invites Partners to 2025 WNC Pizza Week Industry Afternoon at Highland Brewing

ASHEVILLE, NC (Mar. 7, 2025) — As a complement to Stu Helm’s inaugural WNC Pizza Week, Explore Asheville is inviting travel and hospitality partners in Buncombe County to a special industry afternoon at Highland Brewing Rooftop on Tuesday, March 11, 2–6 p.m. This event is a dedicated thank you to travel and hospitality frontline workers who deliver spectacular experiences and service to customers every day.

"WNC Pizza Week is a way to build camaraderie and excitement among the pizza makers and the pizza eaters in all of Western North Carolina, while helping to drive business towards the participants and providing a fun and tasty experience for the whole area,” said Stu Helm, an influential voice in Asheville’s restaurant scene, guide for Asheville Food Tours, and founder of WNC Pizza Week.

Attendees will have the chance to enjoy a complimentary drink token, free pizza, and fun with industry colleagues. This event is hosted by Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority in partnership with Horizon Food Brokers, Highland Brewing, Stu Helm, the Asheville Buncombe Hotel Association, and the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association.

"Nearly six months since Hurricane Helene, WNC Pizza Week offers us a heartfelt opportunity to celebrate the resilience of our hospitality community,” said President & CEO of Explore Asheville Vic Isley. “This gathering at Highland Brewing is our sincere way of expressing gratitude to those who serve others every day. We will be honoring the dedicated service industry workers who have tirelessly served emergency response personnel, residents, and returning visitors these past few months."

Founded in 1998, Horizon Food Brokers has built a solid reputation in the foodservice industry by providing a superior level of service to the customer and client.  Their company is proud to be an independent and entrepreneurial brokerage that provides top-notch sales and services to foodservice operators and manufacturers across the country. While Horizon’s corporate office is located in Florida, they proudly service accounts throughout Western North Carolina.

"As part of our ongoing commitment to the hospitality industry and friends that continue to be affected by the aftermath of this horrible storm, Horizon Food Brokers and our partners are honored to contribute resources to ensure that travel and hospitality workers who can come by, relax, hang out, enjoy some music and something to eat will have that opportunity even for a few hours,” shared VP of Sales for Horizon Food Brokers Peter Tresnan. “Food is a fundamental necessity, and through this event, we are happy to serve those hospitality folks who so often serve others." 

We encourage attendees to RSVP at their earliest opportunity to help organizers plan appropriately.

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Media Contact:

Ashley Greenstein
agreenstein@exploreasheville.com
828.318.8960