Weekly news and events from the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce
- May 13, 2026 -
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Building relationships and connecting our community remains central to the Economic Development Coalition’s work to support advanced manufacturing in Western North Carolina. Strengthening economic opportunity starts with nurturing connections among local industry partners and seeing the engagement at our recent events reminds me how impactful these connections are. Community-building events like our Sustainability Council and Industry Leaders and Influencers reception bring together Buncombe County manufacturers in a peer-to-peer setting where they share strategies for meeting complex sustainability and market demands. Conversations at these events help our local industry partners stay competitive by bringing together our most advanced industries with our emerging industries to foster deeper peer connections and build important professional networks. At the Chamber, we believe in Building Community Through Business, and we know, Together We Are More. Together, events like these not only advance the goals of the AVL 5x5 2030 strategic plan by strengthening networks and supporting industry growth but also reinforce the importance of collaboration to grow economic opportunity across WNC.
I am grateful to our team and all of those in our community who help make this important work possible. |
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Marcus Kirkman Helps Chamber Members Explore Their "Why?"
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All small business owners and entrepreneurs can explain what it is they sell. But how many can give a compelling reason why they do what they do?
That dichotomy is what Marcus Kirkman, the City of Asheville's Business Inclusion Manager, explored during this week's Smart Series talk. He delved into his own personal history and helped our members better understand their own professional journeys and reconnect with their "Why?" It was a wonderful session of community building and personal reflection for all attendees — and as a bonus, Marcus also introduced us to a fantastic storytelling game. A few crucial reflections included:
• Don't always lead conversations with what you do. Instead, lead with your values and what kind of person you are. ☺️
• A lot of businesses will sell what you sell, so differentiate yourself and your business with your "Why?" 🙌
• Make your business more compelling (and reconnect with your passion) by telling your story in a fresh way. 📖
You can watch Marcus give a brief overview of his talk here, and you can learn more about and register for the next Smart Series talk here.
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It's Almost Time to Go "Sky High"
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🎉 Business After Hours Flips to the A.M. (Before Hours) on May 19
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This month, the Chamber is throwing a Business Before Hours — that's right, Before Hours — at MAHEC. It'll be a fantastic opportunity to start your day with some tasty breakfast, fun door prizes and, of course, meaningful networking. You'll also learn more about how MAHEC is advancing healthcare across WNC, strengthening the region’s workforce and creating ripple effects that benefit our community.
Attendance is free, no registration is required, and it'll be the best way to start your day since...well, since the last time we threw a Business Before Hours event! We hope to see you there.
Learn more
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More AVL Affordable Housing Proposed, Faces Some Opposition
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The Asheville Planning and Zoning Commission recently considered two proposed affordable housing projects in the Shiloh neighborhood — Caribou Commons (100 units) on Caribou Road and Sweeten Creek Apartments (126 units) on Sweeten Creek Road — both by developer Pennrose. Each project would serve households earning below 80% of area median income, addressing Asheville’s significant housing shortage.
Residents voiced strong opposition to the Caribou Road development, citing concerns that it was out of scale with the neighborhood’s predominantly single-family homes, inconsistent with the Shiloh Neighborhood Plan and likely to worsen traffic. Commissioners were split: Votes to approve and deny the project both failed 3-3, sending it to City Council without a recommendation. In contrast, the Sweeten Creek project received unanimous support, though concerns about traffic congestion and stalled road improvements were noted.
Learn more
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2025 Breaks Record for Tourism Spending in N.C.
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Last year was a banner year for North Carolina's tourism industry.
Visitors spent more than $37.2 billion on trips to and within the state, which eclipses the previous record total of $36.7 billion (set in 2024). Governor Josh Stein noted that the figure is especially impressive in the wake of Hurricane Helene's devastation and that the tourism industry is essential "to support jobs, sustain small businesses and keep our economy moving forward."
North Carolina ranks seventh in the U.S. for domestic tourism, behind California, Florida, Texas, New York, Pennsylvania and Georgia. It sustains an estimated 231,000 tourism-related jobs, and the tax revenues generated by tourism for the state and local governments exceed $2.7 billion.
Learn more
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Chamber's WNC Business Survey Responses Requested
 Businesses of WNC, we'd love to hear from you.
The Asheville Chamber’s Riverbird Research has launched the third and final Business Response Survey to better understand current conditions across Western North Carolina a year and a half after Hurricane Helene.
We encourage businesses of all sizes, industries and operating conditions to participate. The survey is anonymous, and upon completion, you may also opt to enter a drawing for one of five $100 gift cards to a Western North Carolina restaurant of your choice, courtesy of the Asheville Chamber.
We appreciate your time and perspective!
Click here to take the Business Response Survey
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Talking with One Health Direct Primary Care
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This week, The Asheville Rise Podcast continues the Women Who Lead: Building Community Through Business series.
In this episode, we sat down with Dr. Elsie Osei, founder and owner of One Health Direct Primary Care. Dr. Osei is redefining what accessible, relationship-based healthcare can look like in Western North Carolina. Her work goes beyond medicine — it’s about trust, advocacy and creating a healthcare experience in which people truly feel seen and heard. By building meaningful connections with her patients and community, Dr. Osei exemplifies leadership rooted in service and compassion.
To learn more about Dr. Osei and One Health Direct Primary Care, visit their website.
The Asheville Rise — Stronger Together is the Asheville Chamber’s podcast celebrating the people and places that make our community thrive.
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | iHeartMedia | Amazon Music | Pandora
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UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS:
Thursday, May 14: PROpel AVL GROW Series: Managing Uncertainty
12-1 p.m. | Asheville Chamber 2nd Floor Boardroom | *Please register
In this workshop, wellbeing consultant and energy coach Kyra Cavanaugh will share practical strategies to manage uncertainty at work and beyond.
Thursday, May 14: Black Business Alliance Access to Capital Accelerator Series: Capital 101
5-7 p.m. | Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center
A panel of experts will offer strategies for funding and the ways capital flows into the community. This event is open to ALL businesses.
Tuesday, May 19: Business Before Hours
8-9 a.m. | Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC)
Join us for a special Business Before Hours event introducing the Asheville business community to MAHEC's mission and impact in WNC.
Wednesday, May 20: Midday Mingle
12-1 p.m. | Gemelli | *Please register
Take a midday break to enjoy a delicious lunch, connect with fellow Chamber members and build valuable relationships — all in a relaxed and friendly setting.
Wednesday, May 20: Chamber Orientation
3:30-5 p.m. | Asheville Chamber | *Please register
Chamber staff will give an overview of the work the Chamber does and will provide an overview of member benefits.
Thursday, May 21: Sky High Growth Awards
4-6 p.m. | Sierra Nevada Brewing Company | *Registration required
The Sky High Growth Awards honor the determination and accomplishments of Asheville's businesses. This reception-style event will include plenty of opportunity for making new connections and engaging conversation, and registration is open for all.
Tuesday, May 26: PROpel AVL Connect@ Small Batch Glass
5:30-7 p.m. | Small Batch Glass | *Please register
Join us for a PROpel AVL Connect@ networking event at Small Batch Glass. It'll be a relaxed evening featuring food, drinks and a chance to see where and how glass comes to life.
Thursday, May 28: Business After Hours
5:30-7 p.m. | Mission Cancer Center Rooftop
This networking event will be hosted on the rooftop of Mission Cancer Center at 21 Hospital Drive. There will be appetizers, desserts, beer, wine and non-alcoholic refreshments.
Wednesday, June 3: Smart Series: Grow on Purpose
12-1 p.m. | Asheville Chamber 2nd Floor Board Room | *Please register
John Hornsby, Account Executive at Blue Ridge Public Radio, will explore how effective branding is accomplished in 2026. The session will introduce a three-layer diagnostic framework built around the full arc of how a brand works: Foundation (who you are and who you're for), Language (how you communicate that), and Presence (how you show up and close).
Wednesday, June 10: The Asheville Chamber's 2026 Annual Meeting Celebration
5-8 p.m. | The Omni Grove Park Inn | *Registration required
The Annual Meeting Celebration is the crowning event of the Chamber year, bringing together business and community leaders for an evening built on connection, celebration and community. We'll recognize outstanding accomplishments, honor award recipients and strengthen the connections that move our business community forward.
View the full Chamber Event Calendar
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EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES FROM MEMBERS & PARTNERS:
Monday, May 4 - Friday, May 22: Enter the Kudzu Brands Summer Camp Giveaway
Kudzu Brands is hosting a Summer Camp brand giveaway awarding one WNC minority-owned business or nonprofit a three-month, hands-on collaborative brand-building experience valued at $10,000 (not a cash grant). The selected organization will join live workshops to clarify messaging and develop a brand story, custom logo, print / digital collateral and a tailored marketing plan. Eligibility is limited to minority-owned businesses and nonprofits located in designated Western North Carolina counties.
Saturday, May 16: One Book, One Buncombe Community Read Event
Buncombe County Public Libraries will host author Dolen Perkins-Valdez for a free “One Book, One Buncombe” Community Read event on Saturday, May 16, at 2 p.m. at A-B Tech’s Ferguson Auditorium. Perkins-Valdez will discuss her novel Happy Land, which explores land, memory, resilience, and local history. The program is open to all, with no advance registration required; seating is first-come, first-served.
Sunday, May 17: Deaf Community Meetup at The Hop & Pop
Join us for a relaxed, inclusive Deaf Community Meetup at The Hop! This gathering is a space for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals, families, and allies to come together, connect and enjoy time in community. Whether you’re fluent in ASL, learning, or simply interested in supporting Deaf culture and accessibility in our area, you are warmly welcome.
Wednesday, May 20: Landon Bryant Book Signing
Landon Bryant — or @LandonTalks on social media — is an ambassador of all things Southern. He shines a light on Southern culture, speech, food and more while explaining the nuances of manners to those who may be new to the region. Landon is a comedian, author, and content creator celebrating Southern culture across digital media, live performance and publishing.
Wednesday, May 20 - Friday, May 22: Volunteer at the 2026 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships
The 2026 NAIA National Track and Field Championships will be held at UNC Asheville's Karl Straus Track from May 20-22, 2026. It will be the first-ever national championship track and field event in Asheville, and Explore Asheville and Airstream Ventures are requesting volunteers to make the event a resounding success.
Wednesday, May 20 - Wednesday, June 10: Nominate a Business for a Best of AVL Award
Asheville Media Group is hosting this contest to support local businesses, and it's a community contest open to the public. Winners will be placed in the Best of Asheville Magazine that is widely available around town in locations like the Visitors Center.
Thursday, May 21: Third Thursday: Small Business Appreciation Night
Bank of America will host a Small Business Owner Appreciation Night on May 21 at the Asheville Art Museum to recognize Small Business Month. The event is free for small business owners and up to four guests, but pre-registration is required. Attendees can visit museum galleries, including In a New Light: American Impressionism 1870–1940 featuring works from the Bank of America Collection on loan through the Art in Our Communities program and enjoy live music from Jackson Grimm and Clint Roberts from 6–8 p.m.
Thursday, May 28: Jazz for Justice
Pisgah Legal Services will host Jazz for Justice on Thursday, May 28, at Highland Brewing Company in Asheville, starting at 5:30 p.m. The ticketed fundraiser will feature live music by The Brian Felix Organ Trio, gourmet bites, and drinks, while highlighting the organization’s past year of providing free legal assistance in Western North Carolina.
View our Community Calendar for events hosted by member organizations and partners.
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Stay Connected with Text Alerts! Text #connect to 828-827-5332.
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Thank you to these top partners!
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