Tours and Events

Food, Fun & Fellowship

Discover Asheville’s rich cultural scene with delicious cuisine, inspiring sites, and immersive experiences.

Sunday, September 13

For times, refer to the full schedule.

Riverbank Recovery: Environmental Stewardship and Community Resilience After Disaster *

Open to the Public. Join us for a two-hour riverbank cleanup and facilitated discussion along Hurricane Helene-impacted waterways near Asheville, where design professionals will partner with MountainTrue to restore riparian zones and discover how watershed health shapes resilient, flood-resilient communities.

event $15

Riverbank Recovery: Continuing the Conversation *

Open to the Public. Following the riverbank cleanup, participants and additional ASPIRE attendees are invited to gather for the Riverbank Recovery Happy Hour, an informal educational networking event that continues the dialogue around watershed health, ecological restoration, and community stewardship.

event Free

Dining by Design: Cúrate*

Join us for a three-course menu experience! Cúrate is a guided journey into the culinary treasure troves of Spain. Katie Button, Felix Meana, and family built Cúrate on the Spanish word “curar,” meaning “heal yourself.” They believe discovering new flavors can unite people in a delicious moment of wonder and joy that cures the soul.

event $110

Aspire Design Awards *

Celebrate the winners of the 2026 Aspire Design Awards! The regional program highlights the diversity of projects by architects registered in Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Attendees will watch the awards while enjoying dinner and drinks.

Event $95

Bourbon & Beyond: A Guided Tasting Experience *

Step into a spirited hour with bourbon connoisseur, Joel Crandell from The Pulp. He will guide you through 3–5 exceptional bourbon tastings, sharing stories, flavor notes, and insider insights along the way.

Event $75

Aspire Opening Party

All conference attendees are invited to kick off the Aspire Experience at the Orange Peel, a historic venue in downtown Asheville! To begin, attendees will enjoy a fireside chat with our keynote speaker, film director Gina Angelone. Followed by open time for networking, reconnecting with old friends, and kicking off Aspire 2026!

Event free

Monday, September 14

Urban Sketching in Downtown Asheville

Grab your sketchbook, and get inspired during this interactive Urban Sketching Workshop, as we walk, observe, sketch, and discuss the daily life in Downtown Asheville.

Tour $15

Meet on the Move

Get to know some of our amazing partners at Aspire’s speed networking event! Connect with industry-leading product and service providers and discover new ways to enhance the quality and efficiency of your projects. Arrive on time and stay until the end to earn up to $40 in cash!

Event Free

Preservation, Performance, and Justice at St. Matthias Church

This walking tour visits St. Matthias Church, the oldest Black church in Asheville, located in a historically redlined neighborhood shaped by urban renewal. The session focuses on how the church’s vestry, preservation partners, and a building performance consultant developed a practical, data-informed stewardship plan.

tour $15

Momentum Gallery Reception: Where Art and Architecture Come Together

When thoughtfully chosen for a space, an art piece will shape the mood, provide focus, and deepen the room’s purpose. Join us for a special tour and talk at Momentum Gallery and discover how the gallery space was strategically reimagined for art.

Tour FREE

Pints & Plates *

Come experience Asheville’s Famous South Slope Neighborhood with the best local beer expert. Learn about the ingredients, processes, and stories of beer at some of the best breweries in the world. Hosted by Beer City Brewery’s Certified Cicerone, Evan Rosenberg.

event $90

Aspire Conference Evening Reception

Join us at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts for an evening happy hour networking reception — the perfect opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces, meet new colleagues, and unwind after a full day of sessions in the heart of Asheville.

event free

Bites, Brews, and CEUs

Drink refreshing local beer tastings paired with eight courses of delicious small plates as you listen to short Nano CE presentations by some of our Aspire partners!

Event $35

Early Leaders x AIA Fellows Exchange *

This collaborative event fosters knowledge exchange, mentorship, and cross-generational dialogue. This exchange promises inspiration, connections, and a shared commitment to advancing architectural excellence.

Event $25

Tuesday, September 15

Aspire Conference Morning Reception

Join us at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts for a morning networking reception — the perfect opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces, meet new colleagues, and get ready for your final day of sessions in the heart of Asheville.

EVENT FREE