A Shared Conversation About Asheville’s Future
Candidate forum brings community and local industries together.
On September 28, 2026, Asheville will gather for an evening built around listening, learning, and imagining what comes next for our local economy.
From 5 to 7:30 p.m., community members are invited to a public Candidate Forum at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts. The forum will feature candidates running for Buncombe County Commission, Asheville City Council, and Asheville Mayor.
This event is co‑hosted by ArtsAVL, the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, Asheville Independent Restaurants, the Asheville‑Buncombe Hotel Association, and Go Local Asheville—organizations that reflect the heart of our region’s economic life. By coming together across arts, small business, hospitality, and tourism, they’re creating a shared space where candidates and residents can talk openly about the issues shaping daily life in Buncombe County.
The evening begins with informal networking and tabling in the lobby, offering a chance to meet neighbors, learn about local organizations, and settle into the conversation. A moderated forum will follow, giving candidates an opportunity to speak directly to the community about the priorities they believe matter most.
Admission is free, and everyone is welcome. The Wortham Center for the Performing Arts is located at 18 Biltmore Avenue in downtown Asheville.
To register, visit the Wortham Center box office online at boxoffice.worthamarts.org/online/seatSelect.asp.
