The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA) announced details of its 2018 Event Fund grant program. The grant program, launched in 2016, provides financial support for festivals and cultural events that serve Buncombe County residents as well as visitors to the area. Applications for 2018 festivals and cultural events are due on Thursday, August 31, 2017; grants will be announced, Thursday, September 28, 2017.

“Tourism is a lifeblood of revenue for this community,” Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive (ACVB) Director Stephanie Brown noted, addressing the audience of attendees at a tourism summit on Friday. “Visitors spend almost $2 billion a year at businesses just like yours – hundreds of family owned local businesses serving customers every day, providing income for employees that totals $810 million of personal income for people living in Buncombe County.”

SPECIAL ALERT: VENUE CHANGE - TOURISM SUMMIT MOVED TO THE OMNI GROVE PARK INN The Renaissance had a water main break last night and they are unable to host the National Tourism Week Summit today. The Omni Grove Park Inn will host the event, starting at 12:30 as scheduled. We appreciate the extraordinary efforts of the Renaissance and Omni Grove Park Inn to change the venue and present the program as planned. Please join us for this celebration of our industry in recognition of National Tourism Week. WHERE: OMNI GROVE PARK INN Sammons Wing | Heritage Ballroom 290 Macon Avenue, Asheville SELF-PARKING IS COMPLIMENTARY WHEN: As scheduled. Registration at noon. Program begins at 12:30 See you soon!    ...