Sheriff Quentin Miller, Chief Michael Lamb, J Chong of J Chong Eats, Reggie Tidwell of Curve Theory, and Jack Benton of Parks Hospitality Group received top honors for their leadership in the local travel and hospitality community.

Thank you to the nearly 400 community leaders and tourism industry partners that gathered Wednesday afternoon at the new Embassy Suites by Hilton Asheville Downtown for Explore Asheville’s first partner event of 2024, The Year Ahead.

Community leaders, government officials, and advocates gathered today at Black Wall Street to witness the unveiling of the Asheville Black Cultural Heritage Trail, marking the culmination of years of extensive community efforts. This trail celebrates the dignity, humanity, and agency of Black people from all backgrounds who built resilient communities and fostered social change in Asheville.

The BCTDA has approved a total of $100,000 of investment for local cultural events and festivals celebrating Asheville and Buncombe County communities. The financial support sanctioned during the Nov. 29 board meeting aims to foster community connections and enhance local experiences for both residents and visitors in 2024. 

The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA) invites non-profit and government organizations to submit applications for the Legacy Investment From Tourism (LIFT) Fund cycle opening today, October 31. The LIFT Fund was created to provide financial investment for tourism-related capital projects that increase patronage of lodging facilities, meeting facilities, or convention facilities in Buncombe County, and benefit the community at large in Buncombe County.

The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA) approved more than $6 million of new investment in three major tourism projects to benefit visitors and residents. Including the nearly $23 million committed to McCormick Field during the BCTDA’s July meeting, Tourism Product Development Fund (TPDF) investments total more than $29 million in awards this year, marking the largest annual investment in the 20-year history of the fund.