Asheville Ideas Fest is NOT a for-profit event. It is our intention to break-even 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, which can be found here.

Asheville Ideas Fest is designed as an immersive experience for our passholder community. Consequently, we do not offer day passes. In 2022, we were able to make Fareed Zakaria’s talk open to the general public and we intend to do the same for one of our marquee speakers again this year. Stay tuned for details on that possibility.

The Guest Pass includes access to the kickoff event on June 13 and 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 2024.

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 Highland Brewing Company, at the Omni Grove Park Inn, and in other select locations throughout the city.

General registration passes can be picked up at the kickoff event on Tuesday, June 13th 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.

Free parking is available for our Tuesday kickoff event. As we finalize the program venues for the week we will provide detailed parking and shuttle information.

Oh boy, we love to offer fashion advice! 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 summer weather in the mountains can be unpredictable…

You can sign up for outdoor and wellness activities that will be scheduled during the afternoon breaks on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Let’s get outside!

We’re negotiating preferred rates with several local hotels. As soon as we have that info we’ll push it out to pass holders.

We recommend renting a car or utilizing rideshare services in most cases. On days when we have events beyond the UNC Asheville campus we will provide shuttles for your convenience.

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.