Asheville is a city renowned for its vibrant arts scene, historic architecture, and, in the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offers stunning natural beauty. With diverse attractions and venues, Asheville offers an ideal location for meetings, conferences and events.

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"Asheville's appeal to leisure visitors also makes it an ideal destination for right-sized groups," said Michael Kryzanek, vice president of business development at Explore Asheville. "Our city offers inspiring spaces that encourage meaningful connections, thoughtful dialogue, and stronger relationships. With options ranging from boutique hotels and grand resorts to unique off-site meeting venues, Asheville provides an impressive array of experiences to result in a productive and memorable meeting event."

Asheville also supports homegrown brands and attracts purpose-driven companies aligned with local values. This translates into an innovative community prime for group gatherings. Executives and meetings professionals in search of locations to hold meetings, executive retreats, conferences and incentive trips will be inspired by Asheville's creative spirit, scenic beauty and fresh mountain air. 

"In Asheville, our prominent industry sectors such as outdoor products, climate and environment, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and technology are not only deeply rooted in our history and inherent attributes but also make our city an ideal location for meetings and conferences in these fields," Kryzanek said. "With the world's largest archive of climate and weather data, a legacy of craftsmanship, and Western North Carolina’s standing as a hub for wellness and healing, Asheville offers a unique and inspiring setting for industry gatherings." 

Explore Asheville’s Meeting Planner Services

Explore Asheville has the tools to help meeting planners achieve successful and memorable meetings. Our complimentary services save planners time and help them make the smartest decisions. For your next meeting, let Explore Asheville help you tap into our city’s innovative spirit. We provide vital planning services to assist with creating a successful and inspiring event and can offer meeting incentives for up to $10,000 for a multi-year contract. 

Eight Reasons to Send Your Next RFP to Explore Asheville

• Personalized Hotel Selection Assistance: Explore Asheville staff will qualify your hotel options, answer all your questions, and help you select the meeting hotel that’s right for your event.

• Site Visit Planning: Leave the site visit itinerary planning to the experts. They will provide transportation and accompany you to ensure a smooth experience.

• Incentives: The “Have More Fun on Us” incentive program offers planners of qualified meetings up to $5,000 towards unique Asheville experiences. Send your RFP to Explore Asheville to inquire about available financial assistance.

• Exclusive Services: Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau is a trendsetter with a full menu of exclusive services for meeting planners, including registration staffing, welcome gifts for VIPs, access to incentive funds, and more.

• Time-Saving Help from Destination Experts: The knowledgeable staff can recommend restaurants with private rooms, plan team-building adventures and recommend local entertainers and speakers for your event.

• Attendance-Building Tools: Our expert destination marketers provide marketing images and video to help entice attendance and showcase Asheville as a prime destination.

• Attendee Satisfaction: Ensure your attendees have a memorable experience with visitor information, maps, and a hospitality table to help them connect with the destination.

• Exceptional Customer Service: The team is committed to going above and beyond to ensure your meeting is a smashing success.

Contact the Explore Asheville team or send your RFP today to start planning your next memorable meeting in this vibrant and scenic destination.

Getting to Asheville

Asheville is easily accessible by air, car, and bus. The Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) provides direct flights to major hubs, making travel convenient. For those driving, Asheville is located at the crossroads of I-26 and I-40, providing easy access from various parts of the country.

Unique Attractions

• Biltmore Estate: America's largest home, the Biltmore Estate, offers breathtaking architecture, lush gardens, and a winery.
• Downtown Asheville: Known for its eclectic mix of shops, galleries, and restaurants, downtown Asheville is a hub of activity and culture.
• Blue Ridge Parkway: This scenic drive offers stunning vistas and access to numerous hiking trails.
• River Arts District: This colorful neighborhood, which was once full of bustling mills, is now home to 270+ working artists and offers an eclectic mix of dining, vibrant murals, as well as easy access to the French Broad River. 
• Breweries and Award-Winning Restaurants: Asheville is famous for its craft beer scene, with over 70 breweries offering unique and local brews. The restaurant scene is anchored by several  James Beard Award winning chefs and a community of culinary creators in this place we call Foodtopia.

Venues

From intimate venues to expansive multifunction spaces, Asheville offers a remarkable assortment of places to plan your event. Alongside more traditional spaces, Asheville also offers several “out of the box” venues including open-air rooftops, craft breweries, chic galleries and outdoor locations with expansive mountain views.