The Year Ahead: Inspiring Community and Collaboration | Partner Event

Don't miss Explore Asheville’s first partner event of 2026 on the horizon! Join us, industry colleagues, and community leaders at The Year Ahead: Inspiring Community & Collaboration, where we’ll share the major events, conferences, and initiatives set to energize our region and propel economic revitalization in the year ahead.

Attendees will get an exclusive look at what’s coming to Buncombe County in 2026—and, more importantly, how to plug into these opportunities. From high-profile sporting events like the PGA TOUR’s Biltmore Championship in Asheville, to immersive arts and cultural experiences including the debut of Luminere at Biltmore, to new venues and aligned conferences shaping the future of our community. These panels will help organizations identify how to engage, collaborate, and play a meaningful role in the momentum building across the county.

The line-up so far, and more to come:

1. Amanda Edwards, Chair, County Commission
2. Biltmore Championship in Asheville:
1. Mark Hemphill, CMO, Biltmore
2. Jordan Uppleger, Vice President, PGA TOUR Events, PGA TOUR
3. Vic Isley, President & CEO, Explore Asheville
3. Arts & Cultural Experiences:
1. Chase Pickering, Vice President of Guest Experience, Biltmore
2. Pam Myers, Executive Director, Asheville Art Museum
4. Parks & Waterways:
1. Lisa Raleigh, Executive Director, RiverLink
2. Marc Hunt, Woodfin Greenway Blueway
3. Casey Watkins, Founder & Chair, Beacon Park Foundation

The 13th Annual Explore Asheville Superstar Awards will be presented to travel and hospitality partners who continue to lead our industry with resilience and community mindedness. We will also recognize the $12.4 million in 2025 Tourism Product Development Fund investmentsin community projects throughout the county.

We invite you to come early and stick around for networking, coffee, and light bites from Everyday Gourmet!

Seating is limited, so we recommend you register early for this event.