Asheville Rises as a Top Destination for Impactful Meetings and Events in 2025 and Beyond

ASHEVILLE, NC (Feb. 10, 2025) – Asheville is back stronger, bolder, and ready to host. In 2025, the area’s revival is on full display with renovated historic venues, world-class dining, and immersive group experiences that inspire connection. Against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville’s creative legacy endures and shines brighter than ever. 

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, groups this year have an opportunity to experience and be part of Asheville’s comeback story. Booking a meeting takes on new meaning this year, as it helps sustain the local economy and preserve the creative culture that defines this deeply-rooted community. With Downtown thriving, iconic attractions like Biltmore Estate fully open, and new flavors, sights, and experiences enriching the city's creative scene, there’s never been a better time to meet in Asheville.

Asheville Meeting Highlights and Industry Trends

• Airport Expansion Soars Ahead: The Asheville Regional Airport’s historic $400 million expansion remains on track, with a portion of its new concourse slated to open in June. Upgrades include new gates, boarding bridges, modern “smart” restrooms, and new concession areas. 
  • New Direct Flights: Delta Airlines will begin nonstop service to Boston Logan International Airport in May, and Allegiant will offer nonstop service to Washington, D.C. (IAD) in June. Seasonal service from markets like Chicago and Miami are also starting earlier this spring. 
• Asheville Selected for James Beard Foundation Chef Action Summit: Asheville has been chosen as the host city for the prestigious James Beard Foundation Chef Action Summit, bringing together several hundred top chefs, food advocates, and industry leaders from across the country to champion sustainable food policy. This high-profile event underscores Asheville’s reputation as both a world-class culinary destination and a hub for climate research, reinforcing its leadership in the intersection of food and sustainability.
• Foodtopia Celebrates Four 2025 James Beard Nominees – Four Asheville dining establishments have been named finalists for this year’s James Beard Awards. Chef William Dissen, owner of The Market Place, is nominated for Outstanding Chef. Chef Ashleigh Shanti, of Good Hot Fish, and Chef Silver Iocovozzi, of Neng Jr.’s, are in the running for Best Chef: Southeast. Leo’s House of Thirst earned a nomination in the category for Outstanding Wine and Beverage Program. 
• 48-Hour Experience for Planners: Explore Asheville’s exclusive FAM trips in August and November showcase top venues, innovative activations, and unique group offerings, with itineraries featuring hands-on workshops, private dining experiences, and site visits to Asheville’s premier meeting spaces. More information here.
• US Travel Association Hosts Leadership Forum – In Dec., the National Council of State Tourism Directors hosted its annual leadership forum just two months after Hurricane Helene. “Asheville's recovery and resilience were central to the tone of the event, which left an immeasurable impact on the attendees,” Maggie Soto, Senior Director of Executive Engagement for the US Travel Association, said. Read the full story here.
• Sustainability & Voluntourism: Groups can contribute to Asheville’s post-Hurricane Helene recovery through volunteer opportunities such as river cleanups, food distribution services, and collaborative projects with local nonprofits, aligning meetings with corporate social responsibility goals. Check out our list of voluntourism activities to find a meaningful way to get involved. Our sales team can also recommend nonprofits that align with a group or organization’s values and abilities. Tip: Following a volunteer project, groups can celebrate a job well done at a local brewery or cafe. 

What’s New in Hotels with Space to Gather 

• A Grand Transformation: The Inn on Biltmore Estate – This spring marks the completion of a two-year redesign of all guest rooms and corridors at The Inn on Biltmore Estate in collaboration with ROAM Interior Design. Drawing inspiration from Biltmore House’s rich history, the redesign blends classical European style with modern luxury.
  • Gathering at America’s Largest Home – Biltmore’s two lodging properties, The Inn on Biltmore Estate and Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate, offer special corporate lodging rates. Meeting planners have a variety of unique venues to choose from, including the Walled Garden (Capacity: 42-120) and the South Terrace (750 guests), just steps away from the historic Biltmore Estate. 
• Restoration of Historic Main Inn Blends History & Modern Luxury – The iconic Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa completed a full restoration of its historic Main Inn, honoring its 1913 legacy while redefining luxury for the future. The reimagined interiors draw from the Arts and Crafts movement, blending craftsmanship with the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
  • Spa Adds Private Offerings for Groups – Groups now have the option to indulge in a serene and exclusive after-hours private party at the Omni Grove Park Inn’s award-winning subterranean spa. This tailored experience is perfect for groups seeking relaxation after a day of meetings or a wedding party looking to unwind and reconnect after the festivities. 
• Grand Bohemian to Reopen with New, Inspired Interiors – Following significant flood renovations, the Grand Bohemian Asheville in Biltmore Village is set to reopen this May with stunning reimagined interiors and upgraded event spaces. Renovation projects include a remodel and redesign of the lobby, guestrooms, and the property’s renowned restaurant, Red Stag Grill and the Black Forest Wine Room, the restaurant’s private dining room – ideal for a breakout session, lunch meeting, or intimate business dinner (capacity: 20 max). The 2,100 sq. ft.
• Kessler Ballroom is the luxury lodge’s largest venue (capacity: 120 max)..   features a private dining room – ideal for a breakout session, lunch meeting, or intimate business dinner. The 2,100 sq. ft. Kessler Ballroom is the luxury lodge’s largest venue. 
  • Upgraded Meeting Spaces: The renovation includes two enhanced venues: The Grand Bohemian Gallery, now with a redesigned layout for art displays and nearly double the space for private events (capacity: 20 max, reception setup only), and The Manor House, featuring a new event space ideal for C-suite retreats or intimate wedding buyouts, offering exclusive use of the entire building (capacity: 25 max).
• Street Art-filled Hotel in the RAD Adds Event Spaces – The “rebel glam” boutique hotel, The Radical, is now accepting bookings for its new event space, Radical Underground. The modern 1,283 sq.ft. venue offers top-tier AV capabilities and pairs effortlessly with the hotel’s additional event spaces, Golden Hour and The Roof. The hotel also has a hidden, private bar inside for room blocks. 
• New Venue for Elegant Receptions Opens Downtown – The Foundry Hotel, in Asheville’s historic Black business district, is adding The Refinery to its selection of meeting and event spaces. The Refinery (capacity: 65-85) offers a sophisticated setting for corporate and social gatherings. Take a virtual tour here.

New Venues Inspire Connection and Creativity 

• Award-Winning Cúrate Bar de Tapas Opens Private Event Space | La Bodega – The James Beard Award-winning restaurant Cúrate is reopening La Bodega as a premier private venue. The upstairs dining room, located just behind Cúrate, offers an elegant setting for corporate gatherings, rehearsal dinners, and speaking engagements (capacity: 90 seated, 125 cocktails). Guests will enjoy in-house catering and bar service featuring Cúrate’s renowned Spanish cuisine. Now booking for events after March 20.
  • Looking Ahead: La Bodega will also offer its sidewalk-level café for private events, with full-building buyouts accommodating up to 175 guests for standing receptions.
• LGBTQ-Owned Bar & Event Space Finds a New Location | DayTrip– This café, bar, and gathering space, rebuilt with community support, will open a larger location downtown. DayTrip’s original location in the RAD was flooded, just weeks after opening. Its new, larger space is located near downtown and features exposed brick interiors and mid-century modern furnishings (capacity: 130). Anticipated opening in March 2025.
• Upscale Restaurant Opens Come “Hell or High Water” | Hell Or High Water – A hurricane-inspired resilience story, this upscale dining venue in Black Mountain features a private dining room for 50 guests, ideal for executive dinners and networking events. Hell or High Water’s dining room is located in a historic brick ice house and also features a rooftop patio with views of the Seven Sisters’ peaks.
• Award-Winning Filipinx Restaurant Expands |Neng Jr.’s – The intimate, 18-seat Filipinx restaurant, led 2025 James Beard Semifinalist Chef Silver Iocovozzi, is adding a private dining room (capacity: 25). The expansion also includes an adjacent bottle shop, Harmony, which will offer private tastings and chef-driven experiences.  
• Coworking Space Adds a Climbing Gym |The Board Room – In collaboration with Cultivate Climbing, the coworking space Hatch Coworking just added a bouldering gym to its amenities. The Board Room offers training boards, weights, cardio, yoga, and a sauna/cold plunge. Hatch’s meeting facilities include two board rooms (the traditional, non-climbing variety) that comfortably seat 10, and a private event space (capacity: 100) with floor-to-ceiling windows, coffee service, and AV/PA support.
• New Wine Shop Offers Event Space and Personalized Sips | BeBop Bottle Shop – West Asheville’s newest wine bar offers sustainable wines, low/no-alcohol options, and a 500 sq. ft. private meeting space with an HD projector and lounge seating. BeBop offers custom catering and wine pairings for private events, with expanded wine education and supper club experiences coming in 2025.
• Picturesque Winery Adds Private Event Amenities |Addison Farms Vineyard –  Situated in the rolling hills of Leicester, this family-owned boutique winery offers a stunning backdrop for receptions and group experiences. Addison Farms offers private tours, tastings, and personalized event planning. Venues include an elegant tasting room with vaulted ceilings, a rustic open-air barn, and a private deck.
• Immersive Art Venue Transforms Events |Third Room– For groups looking to break out of the ordinary, Third Room is a new immersive art gallery and venue downtown that integrates 3D projection mapping – resulting in events that feel awash in art. The venue (capacity: 400) features a full bar and offers custom signature cocktails or mocktails for private events.  
• Outdoor Venue Embodies Swannanoa’s Resilience | The Beacon Bike Park and Events Lawn – Construction is underway for this transformative project in Swannanoa, one of the areas hardest-hit by the hurricane. The Beacon Bike Park and Events Lawn will feature a public walking trail, bike park and the largest Velosolutions pump track in North America, as well as an outdoor music and events venue (capacity: 4,000). The Beacon is slated to open in late summer/early fall 2025.

On-Site Activations & Thoughtful Catering Add Impact

• State-of-the-Art Glass Center Illuminates Black Mountain | North Carolina Glass Center – The North Carolina Glass Center just opened the gallery portion of its new, state-of-the-art facility in Black Mountain. While the gallery and boutique are welcoming visitors, the glass-blowing studios remain under construction as the nonprofit works toward full opening, anticipated by mid-March. 
  • Mobile Glassblowing – Make your next outdoor event unforgettable with live glassblowing! The NC Glass Center’s Glass on the Go experience is focused on bringing the art of glassblowing on-site. Skilled artists will wow guests with demonstrations that are as educational as they are entertaining.
• Wellness Provider Adds New Experiences | Asheville Wellness Tours – Groups can add a moment of zen to a busy agenda, thanks to Asheville Wellness Tours on-site offerings, including yoga sessions, tarot readings, sound bathing, and tea ceremonies. New this year, groups can venture out into the woods for a guided Blue Ghost Firefly Hike to witness the captivating natural light show.  
• Outdoor Wood-fired Sauna Offers a Serene Wellness Escape | Drip Sauna– North of Asheville, Drip Sauna, a wood-fired sauna and cold plunge experience, just relocated to a new site, atop a forested hill overlooking the French Broad River. Guests have the option of booking community or private sauna sessions. Drip also offers “delivered” experiences, bringing wood-fired saunas on-site for additional privacy.  
• Cuban Food Caterer Rebounds After Helene | Guajiro Cuban Comfort Food – A new food truck brings back slow-cooked Cuban classics after the hurricane washed away its original operation. Guajiro’s catering menu features Cuban classics like slow-cooked black beans, lechon, and sweet plantains. 
• New Bagel Shop & Deli Caters With NYC-Style Classics | Joey’s Bagels – From the Bronx to the Blue Ridge, owner Joe Scarlata brings authentic New York bagels to Asheville. A bagel-maker since 17, Scarlata spent two decades honing his craft in bagel shops in Long Island and Manhattan. Joey’s catering menu features scratch-made bagels, deli sandwiches, and classics, like lox and a schmear of house-made cream cheese.
• Mobile Adaptogen Bar Offers Health-Forward Alternative | Oui’d Bar – This new, LGBTQ-owned mobile bar aims to provide an elevated experience, without the hangover. Oui’d Bar can be brought on site and specializes in alcohol-free, adaptogen-infused beverages that promote relaxation, focus, and an overall sense of well-being.

Plan with Explore Asheville

With a rising demand for authentic, experience-driven meetings, Asheville’s evolving event landscape offers planners the perfect balance of business, leisure, and impact. Explore Asheville provides tailored support, including streamlined RFPs, customized venue recommendations, and promotional tools to enhance engagement. Planners may also qualify for the Have More Fun on Us incentive program, which provides financial support for qualifying events.

For more information, visit AshevilleMeetings.com. 

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About Asheville

Asheville is where unrivaled natural beauty and bold creative expression meet. Tucked away in the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, the city is steps away from some of the world’s most biodiverse forests and the tallest peaks in the East.  The region offers meaningful group gatherings infused with history, nature, art, and community, with nearly 10,000 hotel rooms ranging from grand resorts to colorful boutique hotels. For generations, Asheville has nurtured and inspired a compassionate community that’s deeply rooted and ever evolving – just like the ancient French Broad River that runs through it.