Industry Partners gathered at Lioncrest at Biltmore on September 28, 2016 to attend the BCTDA Annual Meeting featuring a keynote presentation by George Zimmermann of Longwoods International USA, Inc. Mr. Zimmermann shared key insights on how destination promotion contributes to economic development and sustainability as he presented “Tourism Promotion: An Economic Engine.” The William A.V. Cecil Award was presented to former Superintendent of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Gary Everhardt and the 2015-16 BCTDA Annual Report was also presented by Asheville CVB Executive Director, Stephanie Brown.

View Presentation & Reports:

• BCTDA 2016 Annual Meeting presentation
• BCTDA 2015-16 Annual Report
• BCTDA 2016-17 Sales & Marketing Plan
• Event Photo Album

Click here to see photos from the event.

Keynote Speaker:
George Zimmermann was named one of the “Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality Sales and Marketing” by HSMAI in 2012. Under his leadership as the Vice President of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Travel Michigan launched the award-winning Pure Michigan branding campaign in 2006, ranked by Forbes among the top ten tourism promotion campaigns worldwide. During his tenure, the annual tourism promotion budget rose from $5.7 million to $30 million. He was named State Tourism Director of the Year two times, for his work in Ohio and Michigan.

Asheville CVB Sock Drive

Building on the success with the Toys for Tots drive at the Annual Holiday Party in December, the CVB hosted a sock drive at the Annual Meeting to collect socks for people in need in anticipation of the cooler seasons. Attendees generously donated over 200 pairs of socks. The CVB staff delivered the socks to community partner, Haywood Street Congregation, who assists hundreds each week with meals, clothing, and respite care.