Click here to view this message in a browser window.

August 11, 2021

NEWS | EVENTS | OPPORTUNITIES | & MORE

IN THIS ISSUE
Festival & Cultural Events Grants | Visitor Guide Ops & Orders | Responsible Travel & Sustainability in Tourism | In The News | Trips & Trade Shows | Event Calendar | Props & Kudos | Community Notes | Summer Social

Apply Now for
Festivals & Cultural Events Grant Program

Info session on Sept. 1; application deadline is Sept. 28

The Festivals & Cultural Events grant program has been relaunched following a one-year suspension due to the pandemic. Made possible with revenue earned through advertising sales and lodging reservations booked on ExploreAsheville.com, an eclectic collection of past festivals and events have received support from the Buncombe County TDA through the fund, ranging from time-honored events such as Shindig on the Green and Black Mountain's Sourwood Festival to cultural celebrations like the Blue Ridge Pride Festival and Goombay.

Nonprofit organizations are invited to submit applications by Sept. 28 for local festivals and cultural events occurring in the 2022 calendar year. Register here to attend an information session on Sept. 1, from 3:30 to 5 p.m., at the Explore Asheville offices.

GRANT PROGRAM DETAILS

PARTNER RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES

Ad sales for the 2022 Official Asheville Visitor Guide launch soon

More than 90% of respondents to a recent Explore Asheville survey indicated they used a visitor guide to plan a trip. That's why Explore Asheville is excited to begin work on the 2022 edition of the Official Asheville Visitor Guide, creating what we believe is one of the most valuable tools available to our partners. Publishing partner SagaCity Media will soon launch advertising sales for the publication. To learn more, contact Account Executive Terri Wells or call her at 828.776.8886.

FIND OUT HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Need Visitor Guides now? Aug.12 is this month's deadline to place your order for free delivery next week

If you're running low on Visitor Guides this month, place your order by this Thursday, Aug. 12 at 5 p.m. for delivery Aug. 17 and 18. Reminder: Even if you previously signed up to receive monthly deliveries, we still need a completed form each month.

ORDER NOW

Inspiration from presentations & partners at the “Responsible Travel & Sustainability in Tourism" webinar

As part of our commitment to Encourage Safe & Responsible Travel, Explore Asheville recently hosted “Responsible Travel & Sustainability in Tourism,” a webinar featuring an inspiring presentation from Tourism Cares and a panel of local tourism partners who are embracing sustainability measures in their businesses. The event also included updates from Explore Asheville team members on related initiatives and how local partners can take part in these efforts (more to come, so stay tuned).

VIEW WEBINAR

IN THE NEWS: ASHEVILLE MEDIA COVERAGE

Media outlets showcase Asheville's outdoor scene

Telling the Asheville story is a constant focus of Explore Asheville’s PR team. The following recent clips are related to our strategic imperative to Encourage Safe & Responsible Travel, which includes supporting the sustainability and growth of our outdoor economy.

SEE MORE NEWS CLIPS

GROUP GURUS: UPDATES FROM SALES

Destination Southeast results in RFPs for future meetings

Explore Asheville secured five Requests for Proposals at Destination Southeast. Senior Sales Manager Connie Holliday, CMP, networked with 70 meeting planners at the appointment-based trade show for top-level, pre-qualified meetings and incentive professionals looking to book business in the Southeast. At the opening luncheon, Connie announced the recipient of the Bright Spot Award, presenting a handcrafted custom-made work from the NC Glass Center to a top meeting planner in recognition of the number of RFPs that had been sent to Asheville.

LINEUP OF TRIPS & TRADE SHOWS

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: UPCOMING EVENTS

  • WHAT: Monthly Meeting of Buncombe County TDA
  • WHERE: Explore Asheville CVB
  • WHO: Open to the Public
  • HOW: Details to be posted here

 

  • WHAT: Info Session | Festivals & Cultural Events Grant Program
  • WHERE: Explore Asheville CVB
  • WHO: Presented by Explore Asheville
  • HOW: Get info & register here

 

  • WHAT: Buncombe County TDA Annual Meeting
  • WHERE: Details to be announced soon
  • WHO:: Presented by Explore Asheville
  • REGISTRATION: Watch for more info!

 

PROPS & KUDOS

Guess where the #1 Cambria in the country is: Downtown Asheville!

Congratulations to local hotel partner The FIRC Group, Inc., which was recently recognized with multiple hospitality awards for all three of its hotel properties including the Cambria Downtown Asheville, recipient of the prestigious “Best of Choice” Award in the Hotel of the Year category from Choice Hotels International, Inc.

Read More

COMMUNITY NOTES

Take 3 minutes, help local creatives & entrepreneurs thrive

The collective of graphic designers, web developers, photographers, copywriters, videographers and marketing professionals making up AIGA Asheville is conducting a quick survey to help connect the greater Asheville community to local talent. The ultimate goal is for Asheville businesses, entrepreneurs and talented creatives to thrive in our region. The deadline is Sept. 1.

TAKE THE SURVEY

FACES & PLACES: SUMMER SOCIAL

Sustainability rules at Partner gathering (held at the craft brewery with the country's 6th largest solar array!)

Explore Asheville's first Summer Social since 2019 took place on Aug. 3 at Highland Brewing with several nonprofit organizations participating in a Sustainability Resource Fair. Check out the Facebook photo gallery of the event (and tag yourself!).

VIEW THE PHOTO GALLERY

TIPS |  FACTS | FAQs | UPDATES

Q: How can I optimize the presence of my business on ExploreAsheville.com? A: Great question! That's why we hosted a Partner Salon on the subject last month. Take a look at the info we shared here.

The Packages & Deals page on Explore Asheville is a great way to increase your brand awareness! Got special offers such as discounts? A complimentary take-home item with purchase? Other similar offers you can add to your listing?

Each month, Explore Asheville generates a statistical report of our output, providing a snapshot of the local tourism economy month-to-month. Take a look at the Destination Dashboard here.

LEARN MORE
FIND OUT HOW

 

OPEN NOW

 Check out the TOURISM COMMUNITY UPDATE: Highlights of Buncombe County TDA Meetings
July's meeting included a new Board Chair and a presentation on Explore Asheville’s sales strategy in partnership with Asheville-Buncombe Economic Development Coalition.

READ MORE
Facebook    LinkedIn    Email    Website

Copyright © 2021 Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau
Our address is 27 College Place, Asheville, NC 28801
 
If you do not wish to receive future email, click here.