May 11, 2021

Photo of Jessica Tomasin by Sandlin Gaither

Explore Asheville is charting a new course for the tourism community aligned with broader community goals. These efforts are being organized around four strategic pillars that we're discussing with community leaders and partners (shown above) in a series of four lunchtime webinars as this year's annual Tourism Summit.

Our first community discussion on 'Deliver Balanced Recovery & Sustainable Growth' took place on Monday, May 10. Many thanks to UNC Asheville Chancellor Nancy Cable, Asheville City Manager Debra Campbell, Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder, and Asheville Chamber President & CEO Kit Cramer for participating in this event. WATCH A RECORDING HERE >>

Our next discussion is on Wednesday, May 12 at 12 noon, followed by two more next week. Get details below!

Photo of Jessica Tomasin by Sandlin Gaither

COMMUNITY DISCUSSION #2:
'Encourage Safe & Responsible Travel'
Wednesday, May 12, 12:00 - 1:15 p.m.

Community Panelists: Amy Allison, NC Outdoor Recreation Industry Office; Dawn Chavez, Asheville GreenWorks; Peyton O’Connor, Buncombe County Parks & Recreation; Terri Wells, Buncombe County Commission

Inspiration & Insight: Randy Durband, CEO of the Global Sustainability Travel Council, provides thoughts on this subject to help set the stage for the panel discussion. View Randy's remarks before tuning in for this webinar HERE>>

Get More Details: Tourism Summit 2021 Webinars

COMMUNITY DISCUSSION #3:
'Engage & Invite More Diverse Audiences'
Monday, May 17, 12:00 - 1:15 p.m.

Community Panelists: Aisha Adams, Lenoir Rhyne Equity & Diversity Institute; Adriana Chavela, Hola Carolina; Himanshu Karvir, Virtelle Hospitality/Buncombe County TDA; Catherine P. Mitchell, River Front Development Group, Inc.; Anthony Thomas, YMI Cultural Center; Tina White, Blue Ridge Pride

Inspiration & Insight: Earl “Butch” Graves, Jr., President & CEO of Black Enterprise, provides thoughts on this subject to help set the stage for the panel discussion. View Butch's remarks before tuning in for this webinar HERE>>

Get More Details: Tourism Summit 2021 Webinars

COMMUNITY DISCUSSION #4:
'Promote & Support Asheville's Creative Spirit'
Wednesday, May 19, 12:00 - 1:15 p.m.

Community Panelists: Franzi Charen, Asheville Grown Business Alliance/Hip Replacements; Katie Cornell, Asheville Area Arts Council; Cleaster Cotton, Artist/Educator/Author; Jessica Tomasin, Connect Beyond Festival/Echo Mountain Recording; Lucius Wilson, Wedge Brewing Co./River Arts District Business Association

Inspiration & Insight: Rodney Payne, Co-founder & CEO of Destination Think, provides thoughts on this subject to help set the stage for the panel discussion. View Rodney's remarks before tuning in for this webinar HERE>>

Get More Details: Tourism Summit 2021 Webinars

TIP: Order lunch before joining in!

Before tuning in for each webinar, here's an idea: Order lunch to-go from your favorite AIR restaurant (and to make it even easier on yourself, use Kickback AVL to have your lunch delivered!).