The word is out about Asheville. We've been named among the world's best cities in the U.S. and Canada, among the most beautiful places in America, and a top destination for arts and food. Asheville offers meeting planners over 9,200 hotel rooms, the Asheville Regional Airport with non-stops and easy connections, and a range of conference hotel options.
If all the talk about Asheville has piqued your interest and you want to experience the destination as your attendees would, Explore Asheville invites you to join us for the Asheville 48-Hour Experience. Two full days will be dedicated to exploring Asheville as a meeting destination - at no cost to you! The itinerary provides opportunities to experience the dining, group activities, and hospitality that help make a meeting memorable and tour the properties that interest you most.
We can't wait to welcome planners to Asheville for this experience. Please contact meetings@exploreasheville.com if you have any questions.
Qualified planners are invited to join us
- Tuesday, March 12, 2024 (Opening Reception) - Friday, March 15, 2024 (Departure)
- Tuesday, August 13, 2024 (Opening Reception) - Friday, August 16, 2024 (Departure)
- Tuesday, November 12, 2024 (Opening Reception) - Friday, November 15, 2024 (Departure)
The 48-Hour Experience features...
- Two full days to experience the best of Asheville
- Time to tour the hotel properties that interest you most
- Off-site venues and popular area attractions
- Valuable networking opportunities with fellow planners and local industry contacts
Who Should Attend
Meeting, incentive, and convention/conference planners with business to book in the Southeast region and with verifiable meetings history are encouraged to apply.
* Due to size limitations, only one attendee per organization can be considered. Upon review and verification of your information, a team member will reach out to you and let you know the status of the application six months out from the start of the 48-Hour Experience dates.
Each qualified planner receives complimentary...
- Transportation reimbursement up to $800
- Hotel accommodations
- Customized signature experiences
- All ground transportation during the event
- All meals
How to Apply
Meeting planners: please click here to fill in an application. Applications to attend are accepted six months in advance of the published dates.
Preference will be given to:
- Planners who have not hosted a meeting in Asheville in the past three years
- Planners who do not have a future meeting already booked in Asheville
Past Participant Testimonials
"I completed the survey and could not be more impressed with the Explore Asheville Team and your fabulous city! It was a wonderful experience and I cannot wait to send friends, family and groups your way ~ charm, history, outdoor beauty and good old-fashioned southern hospitality are alive and well in "Amazing Asheville"! Thank you for your kindness, thoughtful touches and generosity of spirit! " Kimberly B., KBT Creative Support Services
"The meeting planner experience provided me with a good sense of the potential that Asheville has as a possible venue for our future events that our guests would love. We each had very different needs for our organizations and it was obvious that the CVB cares very much about the success of the meeting planning experience, getting a variety of venues and opportunities into the trip, and helping each planner to succeed in their future events. I left feeling very excited about the potential Asheville has to offer." Alex G., NAMI
"Your entire team are awesome hosts. It was such a treat to meet with all of your partners and I can honestly say I've never had such a VIP treatment. You all do it well. I look forward to working with you for our RFP." Stephanie K., Society for Design Administration
"I don't have enough accolades to describe how fabulous this Experience was. Before Asheville wasn't really on the map for us but now, it's really a place we would select to come to because it has so much to offer." Sandra J., Porex Corporation
"I so greatly appreciate everything done for us on the FAM. I know everyone worked so hard to make this the amazing experience it was. What an incredible and special place Asheville is and it's all reflected in all of you. Can't wait to return!" Jennifer G., Foodservice Packaging Institute
"The Convention and Visitors Bureau is great to work with - they've treated us to a 48 experience like none other and what I've come away with is the fact that 48 hours is not enough. I've got to come back to Asheville!" Phillip H., Alabama Association of Realtors
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