Press Release from the Buncombe County Tourism and Development Authority:
President & CEO Vic Isley to Share the Forty-Year Impact of BCTDA; Richard Florida to Provide a Keynote on Central Connectivity Districts; Matthew Bacoate Jr. to Receive William A.V. Cecil Tourism Leadership Award; and Partner Activations will Immerse Attendees in Asheville’s Creative Spirit
WHAT: BCTDA and Explore Asheville invite travel and hospitality partners to celebrate 40 years of investing in Asheville’s deeply rooted and ever evolving history at the 2023 Annual Meeting.
WHO: The afternoon will include a report from Explore Asheville and BCTDA President & CEO Vic Isley followed by:
- An opening performance by Stewart/Owen Dance.
- A keynote from Richard Florida, leading urbanist, co-founder of Bloomberg’s CityLab, and international best-selling author of Rise of the Creative Class.
- Presentation of the William A.V. Cecil Tourism Leadership Award to Matthew Bacoate Jr. The award celebrates those who have provided exceptional leadership in making the community a special place to live and visit. Explore Asheville has commissioned a short film honoring him and his life of service, which will be screened at the event.
- A social networking hour will follow and include activations from local partners: J. Chong Eats, Dare Vegan Cheese, Blunt Pretzels, Legally Addictive Foods, Ninja Spirits by Asheville Brewing Company, French Broad Chocolates, Giddy Chick Catering, Bad Drawings, Camilla Calnan Photography, and DJ Lil Meow Meow.
WHY: Over the past four decades, the BCTDA has contributed to community and economic growth, investing in Asheville and Buncombe County’s transformation into a thriving, renowned destination.
WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, 3–6 p.m.
WHERE: Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, 18 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801.
For more information, please contact Public Information Manager Ashley Greenstein, agreenstein@exploreasheville.com.
This advertises a success? Asheville is 100 times worse off than it ever was…at taxpayer’s expense.
The TDA always seems to have alot of money to spend on itself (high salaries, lavish meetings, trips, etc.). This 40 year “celebration” seems a bit over the top/ridiculous.
This is my biggest gripe about them. They are not at all sensitive to the fact that Asheville munipical government struggles to pay hard working people a decent salary for routine but very much needed work efforts.
The TDA used to be more constrained on salaries but the revision made to increase spending for local projects also increased signficantly, the precentage of revenues (which is a bunch of money and around $40+million) that can be used for “administration”. So they of course loaded up on staff and perks. Frankly, they could do their job with much less staff and salary. It’s not rocket science but of course they make it seem that way with all the hype, glitter and glamour.
Their legislation publicly available: https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2021/Bills/House/PDF/H1057v5.pdf shows that administrative costs including salaries, benefits, operations, and facilities are capped at 20% and come out of what I think they call an operating budget. It was reduced from 3/4 to 2/3 last year. By my math that means there is less money in the operating budget, and more going to community project funding.
Yes, spend all this money on their self congratulatory party, but consistently refuse to support changes to the law that will allow a portion of the room tax money to go to the city and county to help pay for local services which tourists use and depend on.
Once again the TDA has no shame in showing off its open contempt and disdain for the local community.