Asheville Ideas Fest is NOT a for-profit event. It is our intention to break-even, even in our inaugural year, so we can continue to build Asheville Ideas Fest for the future. We’ve set the general pass at $1500 this year. While we understand that this will place attendance out of reach for some, if you to investigate the costs to attend other national-level multi-day festivals you will know that we are presenting a tremendous value for the Asheville Ideas Fest experience. We are offering a limited number of passes to individuals and organizations on a sliding scale. If you would like to help make this possible for more interested parties, we encourage you to make a gift to Asheville Ideas Fest on the registration page, high can be found here here.

If you are unable to join us for the full experience, please join us for our public event on Wednesday, June 15 at Kimmel Arena featuring Fareed Zakaria. Zakaria hosts Fareed Zakaria GPS for CNN Worldwide. He is a columnist for The Washington Post and a bestselling author. This event is free and open to the public, tickets must be reserved in advance via this link.

The Guest Pass includes access to the opening event at Highland Brewing and then three full days of lectures, events, selected meals, and more!

In addition to the benefits of a General Pass, the Founder Pass provides:

As a founder pass holder, you will have the pride of knowing you are supporting a vibrant annual intellectual gathering that will continue for decades!

This year your registration will give you access to everything the general pass has to offer plus daily curated VIP experiences that include small events with access to speakers and specialized food and beverages in inspiring spaces.

You will also have access to a deeply discounted rate for AIF lodging at the famous Omni Grove Park Hotel and access to early registration for Asheville Ideas Fest 2023.

Click here for the current schedule of events.

Events will take place on UNC Asheville’s campus located in North Asheville, in downtown Asheville, at the Omni Grove Park Inn, Biltmore Estate, and in other select locations throughout the city.

Updated Answer: General registration passes can be picked up at the opening event at Highland Brewing on Tuesday, June 14th from 6:30 - 8 pm. Founders passes can be picked up at the Founders event that evening beginning at 5:30pm. If you are unable to attend the opening events, your badges will be available for you when you arrive at the first session you are able to attend.

Tuesday's events are at Highland Brewery's Event Center on Old Charlotte Highway, parking is free. Wednesday and Friday we are on the UNC Asheville campus all day. Pass holder parking is in Lot P11. Shuttles will take you to the campus venues. Thursday's events are located at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts and Grove Park Inn. Parking near the venues is available for a fee. Or you can park on the UNC Asheville Campus ( Lot P11) and take the shuttle for free. A map of the UNC Asheville Campus is available here. Asheville Ideas Fest parking and venues are highlighted in orange.

Dress code for Asheville Ideas Fest is “neat casual”. Shorts and comfortable shoes are welcome. All of our indoor spaces are air conditioned, but we’ll also be moving between venues and they’re forecasting warm weather next week.

Check your email for details of what is offered each day and sign up forms.

We have partnered with several local hotels, you can find discount codes and booking links here.

We recommend renting a car or utilizing rideshare services.

All dress is acceptable and neat casual attire is recommended. There will also be wellness programming offered in the mornings, please bring athletic wear if you’d like to participate.

Weather in June is typically between 60-80 degrees with occasional rain showers.

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or are under isolation or quarantine orders, please do not attend the event. We continue to closely monitor the trajectory of COVID-19 in our region and across the country. Masks are strongly encouraged but not required. Out of respect for the personal choices of every individual given the specifics of their circumstances, members of our community should be respectful of their individual choice to wear or not wear a mask in any situation. We will assess our COVID-19 protocols as needed and provide updates in line with guidelines from the CDC and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

Name and contact info changes can be made by clicking the link within your confirmation email.

A full refund is available until Monday, May 16, 2022. No refunds will be available after that date.