Annual Explore Asheville Superstar Awards

Since 2013, Explore Asheville has presented its annual Superstar Awards to partners who have been actively engaged with the CVB on multiple initiatives throughout the year and supportive of Explore Asheville’s efforts.

Recipients of the Explore Asheville Superstar Awards


2023
  • Sheriff Quentin Miller – Buncombe County Sheriff’s Department
  • Chief Michael Lamb – Asheville Police Department
  • J Chong – J Chong Eats
  • Reggie Tidwell – Curve Theory
  • Jack Benton – Parks Hospitality Group

Learn more here >>


2022
  • Congressman Chuck Edwards
  • Senator Julie Mayfield
  • Senator Warren Daniel

Learn more here >>


2021
  • Alexandria Ravenel – Noir Collective
  • Bruce Waller & J Hackett – Grind AVL and Black Wall Street
  • Fletcher Tove – Buncombe County
  • J Smilanic – WNC Photo Tours
  • Nikki Stewart – The Foundry Hotel

Learn more here >>


2020
  • Chris Cavanaugh – Magellan Strategy Group
  • Dana Frankel – City of Asheville
  • Demp Bradford – Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission
  • Katie Button – Katie Button Restaurants
  • Marie Dalis-Brown – McKibbon Hospitality
  • Tim Love – Buncombe County

Learn more here >>


2019
  • Brenda Durden – Asheville Hotel Group
  • Cleaster Cotton – Artist & Educator
  • Ken Stamps – Navitat Canopy Tours
  • Lisa White – White Labs

Learn more here >>


2018
  • Kevan Frazier – Well Played Board Game Cafe & Asheville By Foot Walking History Tours
  • John Almagear – Asheville Art Studio Tours
  • June Vengoechea – Visions of Creation
  • Ruth Summers – Grove Arcade

2017
  • Banquet Staff – Omni Grove Park Inn
  • Chris Corl – U.S. Cellular Center
  • DeWayne Barton – Hood Huggers Tour
  • Tom Roberson – Asheville Visitor Center

2016
  • Josh Blake – Asheville Commercial Music Enterprise
  • Leslie Brewer – Biltmore
  • Robert Foster – DoubleTree by Hilton Asheville – Biltmore
  • Sherry Masters – Art Connections With Sherry Masters

2015
  • Himanshu Karvir – Holiday Inn Asheville – Biltmore West
  • Jane Anderson – Asheville Independent Restaurants Association (AIR)
  • The Renaissance Team
  • The Woodys – Isis Restaurant & Music Hall

2014
  • Alan Muskat – No Taste Like Home Foraging Tours
  • Haley Batsel & John Luckett – The Grand Bohemian
  • John Fleer – Rhubarb
  • Roy Dickerson – Asheville’s Fun Depot

2013

  • Biltmore Farms
  • Deb Bowman – Accents on Asheville
  • Jeff Greiner – Adventure America Zipline Canopy Tours
  • Matt Popowski – Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park
  • Nina Bradbury – Inn at Wintersun