President’s Message: Building community

A goal of any volunteer-driven organization is to support the community in which you live. This month, I’m highlighting several events that celebrate the vibrant and resilient community we call home.

The first is an event this week organized by Julia Duvall, who currently serves as secretary of PRSA WNC.

This Friday, Aug. 28, the chapter is celebrating 828 Day and its seventh anniversary with Driving Connections, a special event focused on maximizing small business opportunities during next month's PGA Biltmore Championship.

In partnership with the Buncombe County Strategic Coalition, the event brings together business leaders, community organizations, and communications professionals to share practical public relations and marketing strategies, explore collaborative partnerships, and discuss ways to attract visitors before, during, and after the tournament. 

Julia and Shane Ryden, chapter board members from Western Carolina University, will facilitate the workshop, focusing on storytelling, brand visibility, earned media opportunities, and long-term relationship building to help participants turn a major regional event into lasting business growth.

Next week, we're hosting a virtual program on Thursday, Sept. 3, with Angi Daus, Vice President of Air Service and Corporate Communications at Asheville Regional Airport. Discover how the airport is moving "AVL Forward" with its comprehensive, multi-year modernization and expansion project. We'll also get an inside look at how her PR team is supporting the airport's monumental construction project, near-record setting passenger utilization in 2025, and rebranding while the region continues to recover from Tropical Storm Helene.

Lastly, AIGA Asheville is inviting PRSA members to Branding for Baseball - an inside look at the transformation of both the legendary Asheville Tourists baseball brand and HomeTrust Park with Team President Brian DeWine on Monday, Sept. 28. Explore how the Asheville Tourists turned a $40 million ballpark renovation into a cohesive brand experience while networking with local designers. 

I hope to see you at one or more of these exciting events supporting each other and this community!