Blue Ridge Rising Two-State Summit
Building Connections and Solutions
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Thank you to everyone who attended the 2026 Blue Ridge Rising Two-State Summit at Biltmore. Check back soon for highlights and photographs from the three-day event.
Registration
Please be sure to register early once the next Summit is announced in 2027.
The 2026 Summit
The official Summit kicked off at 9 a.m., Wednesday, August 26, and concluded on Thursday afternoon, August 27. Over two days, attendees heard from inspiring keynote speakers, participated in interactive breakout sessions, and connected with community, tourism, nonprofit, business, and agency leaders from across the Blue Ridge Parkway region.
2026 Summit AgendaMore than a dozen sessions explored 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.
Summit Sponsors
We wish to thank our event sponsors and other additional supporters for making the 2026 Summit possible:
- Presenting Sponsor: Biltmore
- Soloviev Foundation
- Appalachian Regional Commission
- Dogwood Health Trust
- Friends of Southwest Virginia
- Visit NC
- Patrick County Tourism
- Virginia Tourism Corporation
- Destination by Design
- Mast General Store
- Designsensory
- Explore Asheville
- National Parks Conservation Association
- Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development
- Conservation Corps NC
- Blue Ridge Parkway Association
- Forever Mountain
- The Great Trails State Coalition
- Tourism Impact Services
- Destination Bedford VA
- Blue Ridge Institute and Museum