Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains, the Asheville area attracts newcomers for its astounding quality of life, low crime rate and welcoming entrepreneurial environment. Known for its culinary delights, history, architecture, natural settings and as a Mecca for adventure lovers, Asheville has something for everyone. 
Whether your ideal Asheville visit takes you gallery hopping on Broadway, antique shopping in Biltmore Village, trekking along the Appalachian Trail, or to a downtown show at a rock club named one of the top five in the country by Rolling Stone Magazine, the Asheville area has something guaranteed to delight every visitor. Don’t just take our word for it…experience it for yourself. 
Ask almost any Chamber member why they are a member and they’ll tell you—in Asheville, it’s the most important way to meet people and grow your business. As North Carolina’s third largest Chamber, the Asheville Chamber includes more than 2,000 businesses, organizations and coalitions. Members know the value a membership provides. Find out how members find value with the Asheville Chamber. 
Look at snapshots from Chamber events and view videos of Chamber programming and events. 
Meet and connect with the leadership team that sets goals and leads the activities of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. 
Young Professionals of Asheville (YPA) is a non-profit organization focused on connecting young professionals through community and social events. Get involved and learn more about opportunities for business networking, professional development, service through volunteering, leadership training and social events. 
Do you have questions about the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce? Are you wondering where we are located, what we do, or how to find photos of the Asheville area? We’ve listed answers to our most frequently asked questions here. 
The Asheville region has expertise in several dynamic talent driven industries. Local businesses, educational programs, and community leaders are working in collaboration to nurture and grow these targeted sectors. 
Many businesses are thriving in Asheville and yours could be next. Here are a few of the local businesses making headlines recently. 
Consider the Economic Development staff your one-stop resource for connecting to the Asheville community. Find a complete list of staff available to help you plan the next phase of your business. 
Asheville’s economy and industry is constantly evolving. Keep up to date on the latest industry announcements and plans here. Contact the EDC staff if your company has exciting news to share with the community. 
Leadership
The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce is led by a board of directors, which formulates policies and sets goals for the organization, promoting the mission of enriching the region’s livability by advancing its economic vitality. The president & CEO is responsible for the management and operations of the Chamber organization and its staff. The board of directors develops the Chamber’s Strategic Plan, and directs a program of work giving the community the greatest opportunity for growth and prosperity.
Kit Cramer
President & CEO
(828) 258-6123
Kelly Miller
Executive Vice President/Executive Director of the Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau
(828) 258-6104
Benjamin Teague
Senior Vice President / Executive Director of the Economic Development Coalition
(828) 258-6128
Rojeanous Rush
Vice President of Finance & Operations
(828) 258-6119
Laura Copeland
Vice President of Workforce Development & Public Policy
(828) 258-6126
Jane Anderson
Vice President of Member Services & Communications
(828) 258-6112
2010-2011 Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce
Board of Directors
Officers - Executive Committee
Board Chair
LaVoy Spooner
External Affairs Regional Director at AT&T North Carolina
Immediate Past Chair
Alice Oglesby
io design & illustration
First Vice Chair
Linda Brandt
LB Marketing Services
Second Vice Chair and Chair of the Audit Committee
Dana Stonestreet
HomeTrust Bank
Secretary
Robert Kendrick
Kendrick & Associates
Treasurer
Ben Hamrick
Johnson, Price & Sprinkle
President & CEO
Kit Cramer
Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce
Legal Counsel
Michelle Rippon
Constangy, Brooks & Smith
Vice Chairs - Executive Committee
Vice Chair Member Services & Communications
John Miles
integritive, inc.
Vice Chair Economic Development
Suzanne DeFerie
Asheville Savings Bank
Vice Chair Convention & Visitors Bureau
Lynn Carlson
1900 Inn on Montford
Vice Chair Small Business & Entrepreneurship
Carol Rovello
Strategic Workplace Solutions
Vice Chair Public Policy
David Phillips
Pike Real Estate Development, LLC
Directors
David Bailey
United Way of Asheville & Buncombe County
George Briggs
The North Carolina Arboretum
Tracy Buchanan
CarePartners Health Services
Carolyn Coward
Van Winkle Law Firm
Dr. Hank Dunn
A-B Tech
Hunter Goosmann
Education and Research Consortium of the Western Carolinas
Himanshu Karvir
Holiday Inn Biltmore West
Stefan Magura
Blue Ridge Bone & Joint Clinic, P.A.
Andrew Nagle
A-B Emblem
Dr. Ron Paulus
Mission Health System
Chuck Pickering
Biltmore
Dr. Anne Ponder
UNC Asheville
Robby Russell
Wachovia Bank
Wendy Whitson
River District Artists
John Wirtz
Eaton Corporation
Oscar Wong
Highland Brewing Company
Ex-Officio Members
K. Ray Bailey
Chairman, Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe County
Buncombe County Commission
Ron Morin
Chairman, Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority
The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa
Travis Smuckler
Chairman, Young Professionals of Asheville
The Van Winkle Law Firm
Ex-Officio, Non-voting Members
David Gantt
Chairman, Buncombe County Commission
Terry Bellamy
Mayor, City of Asheville