What’s New
Tourism Summit 2021: Community Panels on the Future of Tourism in Asheville & Buncombe County
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, which we’ll discuss in a four-part series of lunchtime webinars.
Tourism Community Update: A Recap of the BCTDA April Board Meeting
The TOURISM COMMUNITY UPDATE provides highlights of Buncombe County TDA meetings. Click through for a recap of the BCTDA’s April 2021 meeting, with updates on Explore Asheville’s marketing plans and activities as well as information on tourism’s four strategic pillars.
Explore Asheville Announces Appointment of Veteran Hospitality Executive as New VP Of Sales
PRESS RELEASE: Asheville native Marshall Hilliard, an award-winning leader in hospitality sales and marketing, held top positions with major hotel brands prior to his selection from among candidates across the country.
Caring for Our Community
Series on Equity in Creative Placemaking Sponsored by Explore Asheville, Hosted by Leadership Asheville
Equity in Creative Placemaking is an approach that uses arts strategies to involve those who live, work, and play in a community, giving them a voice in the urban design process. Also hosted by Asheville Area Arts Council, the series featured national and local experts.
‘One Buncombe’ Grant Fund Helps Retain 406 Living-Wage Jobs with Assistance of Buncombe County TDA
The ‘One Buncombe’ grant fund, supported by Buncombe County TDA, was developed to help local small businesses of one to 25 FTEs retain and rehire their employees. Sole proprietors/owner-employees and independent contract (1099) workers are eligible to apply as well.
Buncombe County TDA Releases Six-Month Progress Report on Tourism Jobs Recovery Fund
PRESS RELEASE: Six months after the BCTDA awarded $5 million in COVID-relief grants to 394 local small businesses, nearly 98 percent of the 394 local small businesses remained in operation at the end of December, with 3,341 jobs retained or recovered.
Perspectives
Longtime CVB Leader Retires After 26 Years of Serving the Asheville Community
Dianna Pierce, Explore Asheville’s Vice President of Sales, has retired after more than a quarter century with the CVB. Buncombe County TDA Board Chair Himanshu Karvir pays tribute to Dianna and her 26 years of service.
Tourism Community Update: A Recap of the BCTDA Annual Planning Retreat + March Board Meeting
The TOURISM COMMUNITY UPDATE provides highlights of Buncombe County TDA meetings. Click through to read a recap of the BCTDA’s Annual Planning Retreat as well as the March 2021 meeting, with links to recordings.
Perspectives Guest Post: Amplifying Equity and Inclusion in Craft Beer
The personal perspective on racial identity by the President of Highland Brewing Company, Leah Wong Ashburn, who also serves as an appointed, volunteer member of the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority.
What’s New
Tourism Summit 2021: Community Panels on the Future of Tourism in Asheville & Buncombe County
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, which we’ll discuss in a four-part series of lunchtime webinars.
Tourism Community Update: A Recap of the BCTDA April Board Meeting
The TOURISM COMMUNITY UPDATE provides highlights of Buncombe County TDA meetings. Click through for a recap of the BCTDA’s April 2021 meeting, with updates on Explore Asheville’s marketing plans and activities as well as information on tourism’s four strategic pillars.
Explore Asheville Announces Appointment of Veteran Hospitality Executive as New VP Of Sales
PRESS RELEASE: Asheville native Marshall Hilliard, an award-winning leader in hospitality sales and marketing, held top positions with major hotel brands prior to his selection from among candidates across the country.
Tourism: Caring for Our Community
Series on Equity in Creative Placemaking Sponsored by Explore Asheville, Hosted by Leadership Asheville
Equity in Creative Placemaking is an approach that uses arts strategies to involve those who live, work, and play in a community, giving them a voice in the urban design process. Also hosted by Asheville Area Arts Council, the series featured national and local experts.
‘One Buncombe’ Grant Fund Helps Retain 406 Living-Wage Jobs with Assistance of Buncombe County TDA
The ‘One Buncombe’ grant fund, supported by Buncombe County TDA, was developed to help local small businesses of one to 25 FTEs retain and rehire their employees. Sole proprietors/owner-employees and independent contract (1099) workers are eligible to apply as well.
Buncombe County TDA Releases Six-Month Progress Report on Tourism Jobs Recovery Fund
PRESS RELEASE: Six months after the BCTDA awarded $5 million in COVID-relief grants to 394 local small businesses, nearly 98 percent of the 394 local small businesses remained in operation at the end of December, with 3,341 jobs retained or recovered.
Perspectives
Longtime CVB Leader Retires After 26 Years of Serving the Asheville Community
Dianna Pierce, Explore Asheville’s Vice President of Sales, has retired after more than a quarter century with the CVB. Buncombe County TDA Board Chair Himanshu Karvir pays tribute to Dianna and her 26 years of service.
Tourism Community Update: A Recap of the BCTDA Annual Planning Retreat + March Board Meeting
The TOURISM COMMUNITY UPDATE provides highlights of Buncombe County TDA meetings. Click through to read a recap of the BCTDA’s Annual Planning Retreat as well as the March 2021 meeting, with links to recordings.
Perspectives Guest Post: Amplifying Equity and Inclusion in Craft Beer
The personal perspective on racial identity by the President of Highland Brewing Company, Leah Wong Ashburn, who also serves as an appointed, volunteer member of the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority.
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Community Benefits of Tourism
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