Events Industry Rallies to Help Asheville After Devastating Hurricanes 

Asheville, N.C., took the brunt of Hurricane Helene, leaving the region in dire condition more than two weeks after it hit. 

On the business end, the hope is that groups with scheduled events in Asheville postpone their programs, not cancel them.

“We just had a record September, and we were on track to have a decent October. This is all so unexpected,” said Michael Rouse, director of sales at Accents on Asheville, a local destination management company.

Meetings can return to the area once water is restored and roads are repaired. “My only hope is that we get sympathy tourism,” said Rouse.

Tourism Important to Asheville

“This storm couldn’t have come at a worse time for our community,” said Vic Isley, CEO of Explore Asheville, the region’s destination marketing and management organization. “Peak October revenues carry many of our businesses, and therefore our residents, through to spring. Travel and hospitality generate $3 billion locally, making up 20% of our county’s annual economy.”

Isley said that in parts of south Asheville, businesses and residents have power and running water. In addition, Asheville Regional Airport is operational. In addition, downtown's infrastructure fared well. As a result, some hotels are open and are able to host small meetings. 

Explore Asheville has created a website to support the region. Love Asheville from Afar is a centralized online space where you can buy local products, purchase gift cards, and directly donate to the Asheville area. 

In addition, Explore Asheville has created the Always Asheville Fund to provide emergency grants to local businesses.

Explore Asheville has also pledged $1 million as the presenting sponsor of Concert for Carolina, which will be held on October 26 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.

SEARCH Foundation Helps Event Professionals in Need

At IMEX, one education session titled “Eventprofs Unplugged” changed its planned focus from the innovations shaping the future of events to ways to support those impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Kate Patay, vice president of global engagement at Terramar, a DMC Network Company, and Zena Phillips, senior director of catering and events at Hilton, moderated the session.

“We pivoted and made the session about ways the industry can assist event professionals impacted by the hurricanes,” said Phillips, who owns a house in the Asheville area.

“My husband is a meteorologist in Miami, and we bought this place to escape this very thing,” she said.

One of the organizations assisting is the SEARCH Foundation. It provides financial assistance to special events, meetings, and catering professionals faced with crisis. 

Patay, SEARCH's chairwoman, said its relief team has compiled a list of resources to help with insurance claims, housing, food, medical supplies, and more.

“We have already helped a couple dozen individuals impacted by the hurricanes,” said Patay. “We have helped event profs after Hurricanes Katrina and Ian, and the fires in Maui. This is different as it has impacted such a massive swath of the Southeast region.”

To date, SEARCH has distributed more than $1.3 million to event professionals in crisis. 

Property Update 

The Biltmore, a popular special event and meetings venue, is still closed. The property has donated $2 million and created the Biltmore Relief Fund for WNC to aid relief efforts.

"Right now, we are not welcoming guests to the estate, sadly, but we are committed to our community and helping clean up," said Marissa Jamison, senior public relations manager at Biltmore.

Other meeting and conference hotels closed include the Omni Grove Park Inn and the Grand Bohemian Asheville.

Click here for additional ways to help.