Blue Ridge Rising Two-State Summit

Registration is now open for the 2026 Blue Ridge Rising Two-State Summit, taking place August 25–27 at Biltmore in Asheville, N.C. Attendance is limited to 225 participants, so register today to secure your spot!

The Summit will feature an outstanding lineup of keynote speakers and panelists, including North Carolina Secretary Pamela Brewington Cashwell, Blue Ridge Parkway Superintendent Tracy Swartout, Biltmore Vice President Chase Pickering, Thrive Regional Partnership President & CEO Bridgett Massengill, Dogwood Health Trust President & CEO Susan Mims, Golden LEAF Foundation President & CEO Scott Hamilton, Chef T (Torrece Gregoire), Grammy Award-winning musician Graham Sharp of Steep Canyon Rangers, and many other leaders in tourism, outdoor recreation, economic development, conservation, philanthropy, and the arts.

Visit our Eventbrite registration page to register, explore the full agenda, and view the complete speaker lineup.

Choose from three field trips on Tuesday, August 25, from 3:00–5:00 p.m, that highlight innovative efforts in travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation in the Asheville area. Explore Asheville's River Arts District, tour Highland Brewing with VP Brock Ashburn, or visit the Blue Ridge Parkway's Folk Art Center with members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild.

As a bonus, Summit attendees and their guests can enjoy discounted admission to Biltmore House August 23–29, including complimentary winery tastings for adults (ages 21+) and free admission for children 16 and younger when accompanied by an adult.

Thanks to our Summit sponsors, these experiences are free, but advance registration is required and space is limited. Attendees are responsible for their own transportation. To learn more about each field trip, visit our Eventbrite registration page and view the Tuesday, August 26 agenda at the bottom of the page. When you're ready to reserve your spot, click "Get Tickets" and select your preferred field trip under "Add-ons."

The official Summit will kick off at 9 a.m., Wednesday, August 26, and concludes by 3 p.m. on Thursday, August 27. Over two days, attendees will hear from inspiring keynote speakers, participate in interactive breakout sessions, and connect with community, tourism, nonprofit, business, and agency leaders from across the Blue Ridge Parkway region.

More than a dozen sessions will explore the Blue Ridge Rising Action Plan's key themes, including regional marketing, visitor experiences, workforce development, resource protection, capacity building, and building a unified regional voice. Featured sessions include Perspectives on Creating Thriving Communities Through Outdoor Recreation, Understanding Today's Blue Ridge Parkway Travelers, Brainstorming Our Regional Brand, Giving Back: How Artist-Led Engagement Supports Community Initiatives, and Small Budgets, Big Impact: Marketing Initiatives That Are Moving the Needle.

For your convenience, we have partnered with the Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate and the nearby Hampton Inn & Suites Asheville Biltmore Village to offer recommended lodging options for Summit attendees. While our special Summit room rates have expired, accommodations may still be available. Use the links above to check current availability and pricing. We look forward to welcoming you to Asheville in August!  

Be sure to visit our Eventbrite registration page and sign up for our Blue Ridge Rising e-newsletter to stay updated on  speakers, field trips, and more.