February 2, 2021

NEWS | EVENTS
OPPORTUNITIES
& more

It's time for another in our always-popular how-to webinars presented by experts at JB Media Institute!

Not all social media and digital advertising products are created equal. Each social media and digital advertising platform has strengths and weaknesses. Each delivers different costs per click, impressions, and engagement rates.

In "Cost-Effective Ways To Increase Reach & Website Traffic," presenters Justin Belleme and Sarah Benoit will provide attendees with information on:

• Average cost per click and engagement rates
• Platforms and strategies to deliver the highest quality traffic for various tourism business goals
• How to evaluate and prioritize digital advertising options when working within a budget that needs to deliver a positive return on investment

Sign up for this free webinar today! (And remember: All Explore Asheville webinars are recorded and posted to the event's webpage on AshevilleCVB.com.)

JB Media Institute's
Justin Belleme and
Sarah Benoit

• Webinar: Cost-Effective Ways To Increase Reach & Website Traffic
  
• Wednesday, February 10; 9 - 10 a.m.
• Presenters: Justin Belleme & Sarah Benoit of JB Media Institute, LLC

Need to replenish your supply of Visitor Guides? The next monthly deadline for free delivery to your business is Thursday, February 11 by 5 p.m. Complete this form to place your order; deliveries will be made by the case (44 guides per case) on February 15 and 16, facilitated by Mountain Xpress.

Important note: Due to COVID-19, we've temporarily suspended recurring deliveries, so even if you are signed up to receive monthly deliveries we still need a completed form for a free February delivery.

Explore Asheville is continually working to share local stories with media outlets both regionally and nationally and create content that brings Asheville experiences to life for consumers. In anticipation of 2021 travelers craving renewal, stress-relief, self-care and healing experiences, we're putting an emphasis on wellness this spring.

Using the term "wellness" very broadly, the CVB PR team is seeking to collect ideas and news on the many ways wellness intersects across Asheville culture (art, food and beverage, music, outdoors, retail, makers, history, lodging, visitor experiences, etc.).

Regardless of whether you have an overt wellness tie-in, feel free to share what is relevant and useful for your business right now, in whatever capacity you have to do that. The current news gathering deadline for spring and wellness news is Friday, February 12, but the PR team is glad to hear from you any time, on any topic.

News for Meetings & Group Travel : The Explore Asheville Sales Team is also looking for new experiences that are suitable for groups, updates to your existing group activities during the pandemic and group service projects. Please make a note if your news or experience is group-friendly when submitting.

The board of the Buncombe County TDA held its monthly meeting last week on January 27. By now we hope you received a recap of that meeting in the form of a letter from Board Chair Himanshu and Explore Asheville President & CEO Vic Isley.

Check your inbox or click through here for news on:

- Recent stats on total lodging sales and lodging occupancy, showing good news for residents with short-term vacation rentals

- An interim report on the BCTDA's Tourism Jobs Recovery Fund, with survey results from all 394 grantees

- The relaunch of the 'One Buncombe' Fund, with relief for local small businesses, including a new allocation from BCTDA

 - An update on recovery marketing and messaging to inspire travelers to visit safely and responsibly when they're ready

- A welcome and introduction to BCTDA's newest board members

If you did not receive this publication and wish to, please contact us here.

HOW TO ATTEND BCTDA BOARD MEETINGS: Did you know you can go online to access the agenda for each month's Buncombe County TDA meeting 48 hours in advance? Find out the topics of discussion that may be of interest so you can plan to tune in virtually. Attending meetings is also a great way to learn how the BCTDA works and find out what's new and next for tourism in Asheville. VISIT THE BCTDA BOARD MEETINGS & DOCUMENTS PAGE HERE >>