The Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau celebrated the local travel industry during National Travel & Tourism Week at the first annual National Tourism Week Summit 2017, a half day conference at the Omni Grove Park Inn.**

Steven Paganelli of TripAdvisor delivered the keynote presentation, and ACVB Executive Director Stephanie Brown presented newly released economic impact data accompanied by a video featuring local industry partners illustrating the impact of the tourism industry on their businesses and the community.

Attendees had the opportunity to attend marketing and sales educational sessions, and to connect with local elected officials during a meet and greet. The event culminated with a Tourism Industry Resource Expo with key groups who support tourism industry businesses, and a networking happy hour.

The Expo included representatives from Saga City (publisher of the new Official Asheville Visitor Guide), Asheville Area Arts Council, Asheville Downtown Association, AB-Tech’s Business and Hospitality Continuing Education Department, and MapByBusiness with Google.

Download the presentations:

Keynote: Fueling Customer Loyalty
Steven Paganelli, TripAdvisor

2016 Economic Impact of Tourism
Stephanie Brown, Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau

Travel Trends and Reputation Management
Mark Preston, TripAdvisor

Core Traits & Capabilities of Great Sales People
Steve Rudolph, Steve Rudolph Coaching, Inc.

Check out pictures on the Asheville CVB Facebook page here.

**Due to a water main break on the property of the original venue, the Renaissance Asheville Hotel, the event was relocated to the Omni Grove Park Inn.