10/13/2026
Dear Haywood County Partners,
WOW. What a week. What a community. And what an incredible accomplishment!
As we catch our breath following the 2026 Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) Convention, I want to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to the hundreds of people, businesses and organizations who helped make this extraordinary event possible.
This year marked a historic first for SATW, as Haywood County became the first rural destination ever to host its Annual Convention, welcoming travel writers, editors, photographers and content creators from across North America. Pulling off an event of this magnitude in a small, rural community was no easy feat, but Haywood County absolutely delivered!
From the moment attendees arrived, they experienced the hospitality, natural beauty, creativity and authentic Appalachian spirit that make this place so special. Every town had an opportunity to shine, and our community truly rolled out the red carpet.
There is simply no way to recognize everyone who contributed, but a few extraordinary partnerships deserve special mention.
Our partners at Lake Junaluska went above and beyond throughout the entire week, from the wonderful food and exceptional hospitality to their incredible responsiveness, flexibility and willingness to jump in and help with whatever was needed. Cataloochee Ranch provided a spectacular mountain welcome, and our federal land partners delivered an outstanding opening session. Waynesville Inn & Golf Club hosted a gorgeous Muster Awards Dinner, while Downtown Waynesville provided the perfect backdrop for our Dine Around and Block Party, with tremendous support from local businesses and participating restaurants. HART Theatre helped us close out the convention in style, and throughout the week, our local musicians, artists, performers and makers showcased the incredible talent found across Haywood County.
To the many businesses that welcomed attendees, the tour guides and partners who shared their stories, the volunteers who generously gave their time, and our HCTDA Board of Directors for supporting this ambitious undertaking: THANK YOU. And I could not be prouder of our small but mighty Visit Haywood team, who poured their hearts into making this convention a success.
The feedback we've received so far has been overwhelmingly positive. Many attendees had never visited Haywood County before, and we're already hearing about story ideas they hope to pursue and plans to return. The stories, photography, videos and relationships generated during this convention have the potential to introduce Haywood County to new audiences for years to come. While the convention itself may be over, the opportunities it created are just beginning.
I am beyond proud of what we accomplished together and incredibly grateful to be part of a community that embodies the very best of mountain hospitality.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for helping us share what makes this corner of North Carolina so very special.
With immense gratitude,
Corrina & The Visit Haywood Team
