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 (ABHA), 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.
The discussion will cover a variety of topics. A few that will likely make it to the floor include public safety, affordable housing, continuing Helene recovery, Asheville and Buncombe County’s economy, regional collaboration to solve present issues, and city services.
“We’re looking forward to an evening of productive discussion and thoughtful discourse with the future representatives of Asheville and Buncombe County,” says Rick Bell, Executive Director of ABHA. “This forum brings together organizations representing Asheville’s core economic sectors—including arts, small business, hospitality, and tourism. It’ll be a chance for the candidates and the community to engage around important issues.”
The upcoming election will take place on November 3, 2026. There are two candidates for Asheville Mayor, six candidates for Asheville City Council, two candidates for Buncombe Commission District 1, and two candidates for Buncombe Commission District 2.
The event opens at 5 p.m., and the candidate forum begins at 5:30 p.m. To register for the event, visit www.worthamarts.org/events/asheville-buncombe-candidate-forum.
Admission is free, and everyone is welcome. The Wortham Center for the Performing Arts is located at 18 Biltmore Avenue in downtown Asheville.
