Asheville, North Carolina, is known for many things: a pristine location in the Blue Ridge Mountains, an incredible arts and music scene—and more recently, Hurricane Helene, one of the most destructive storms in U.S. history. But since the storm hit in September 2024, the town has invested heavily in rebuilding, and it (and most of Western North Carolina) are eagerly welcoming visitors once more.

In this special IPW 2025 episode, recorded live from the conference floor in Chicago, Vic Isley—president and CEO of Explore Asheville—sits down with editorial director Billie Cohen to discuss what she loves about living in Asheville and how community has been key to the area's recovery, with restaurants and farms collaborating with distillers and breweries in new ways, musicians signing on for a concert to raise money for recovery efforts, and so much more.

What You’ll Learn

That Asheville is surrounded by two of the most-visited national parks in the country

How community was essential in Asheville and Western North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Helen

About Asheville’s role as a live-music powerhouse

Key Moments

[01:22] Vic’s top three reasons you should visit Asheville 

[03:57] A beloved local restaurant is expanding and opening an oyster bar

[05:22] Community collaboration is a major part of Asheville’s rebound after Hurricane Helene

[15:07] Why an Asheville rooftop bars tour is a unique way to get to know the city

Featured Topics

The role that community played in post–Hurricane Helene recovery

The importance of building strong relationships with partners

Lesser-known ways to explore Asheville

Resources

Read the transcript of this episode.

Find Explore Asheville on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok  

Listen to Eric Church’s “Carolina” IPW 2025 conference information

Want to plan your own Asheville trip? Here’s where Afar’s co-founders, Joe and Greg, went in January 2025.

Hotels

Restaurants and Bars

Up Next in This Special Live IPW Series

Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the U.S Travel Association

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This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.