July 26, 2021

IT'S TIME FOR OUR SUMMER SOCIAL!

Join Explore Asheville NEXT WEEK at Highland Brewing
Plus: Get ideas & info at our Sustainability Resource Fair

Meet us at Highland Brewing for our 2021 Summer Social!

Join Explore Asheville for our first in-person Summer Social since 2019! Reconnect with fellow tourism partners on August 3, from 4 to 6 p.m., at Highland Brewing, home of the 6th largest solar array of all independent, craft breweries in the USA and the 22nd largest brewery solar array in the world!

Plus, several local organizations focused on sustainability and the environment will be on hand as part of our Sustainability Resource Fair to offer suggestions on ways your business can become involved. It'll be the perfect ending to a day of inspiration and information that will start that morning with our partner webinar on "Responsible Travel & Sustainability in Tourism" (read more about that below). Sign up today!

IMPORTANT NOTE!

If you have not been fully vaccinated, we kindly ask that you following public health guidelines and wear a mask to this in-person event.

Tune in for "Responsible Travel & Sustainability in Tourism" featuring the Chief Experience Officer for Tourism Cares

One of Explore Asheville's four strategic imperatives is Encourage Safe & Responsible Travel. In addition to our Summer Social & Sustainability Resource Fair, we're also hosting a jam-packed webinar on August 3, from 10 to 11:15 a.m.

Keynote speaker will be Jessica Flores, of Tourism Cares, a nonprofit organization known for bringing together all sectors within the travel industry to create positive change. Named one of the “Rising Stars: Top 100 Young Professionals in Travel” Jessica is the Chief Experience Officer for Tourism Cares.

We'll end the webinar with more inspiration – this time from local tourism partners who are embracing sustainability measures in their businesses.

Tune in to hear from these partners:

• Asheville Tea Company Founder & CEO Jessie Dean
• Highland Brewing Company President & CEO Leah Ashburn (also a Buncombe County TDA board member)
• Mandara Hospitality Group (Posana, Bargello, and District 42) Co-Owner & Executive Chef Peter Pollay
• WNC Photo Tours Owner & Photographer J Smilanic
• Wrong Way River Lodge & Cabins Co-Owner Shelton Steele

In between, the Explore Asheville Marketing and Sales teams will provide an update on related initiatives and how you can can take part in these efforts. Join us!

IMPORTANT NOTE!

Registration for this webinar is separate from registration for the Summer Social, so be sure to register for both! Hope to see you on August 3 for both events.