Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Visit Highlands

What Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Visit Highlands does

Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Visit Highlands is a non-profit destination marketing organization (DMO) and visitors bureau founded in 1996 and headquartered at 108 Main Street, Highlands, North Carolina. The organization serves three primary customer groups: tourists and seasonal visitors seeking mountain recreation, dining, lodging, and cultural experiences; local businesses (restaurants, hotels, shops, real estate agencies, and adventure operators) that join as members for promotion; and full-time and seasonal residents who use Chamber resources for community information. Its core product is the highlandschamber.org website, built on the Simpleview DMO platform, which functions as the central digital hub for visitor information, event calendars, webcams, business directories, real estate listings, and a downloadable Experience Guide.

The Chamber's product portfolio spans a Visit Highlands Website, Community Newsletter and Visitor Newsletter, live webcams (Downtown and Whiteside Mountain), an Events Calendar, Business Directory, Real Estate Agency Listings, and Trip Planning Tools. Distribution is omnichannel: a physical Welcome Center at 108 Main Street complemented by global digital reach through the website, Instagram under #visithighlandsnc, and partnerships with regional publications such as Laurel Magazine. Content categories include Things To Do, Dining, Arts & Culture, Shopping, Places to Stay, and Living & Working resources.

The Chamber operates on a membership-based revenue model with no publicly disclosed financials. Revenue is generated through membership dues from local businesses that are listed and promoted on the Chamber website and through Chamber programs, supplemented by event-related sponsorships and tourism promotion services. Visitor information services are provided free of charge; individual businesses set their own pricing (e.g., $8 ice skating at Kelsey-Hutchinson Park, $3 Dry Falls parking). The Chamber holds no patents or proprietary technology beyond its use of the Simpleview platform, has no parent company, no funding rounds, and no disclosed headcount beyond the 1-10 employee range.

Name

Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Visit Highlands

Legal name

Highlands Chamber of Commerce

Website

https://highlandschamber.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Visit Highlands is a non-profit destination marketing organization and visitors bureau in Highlands, NC, promoting mountain tourism to visitors, local member businesses, and residents via its website, newsletters, webcams, and Welcome Center.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Destination Marketing Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Mountain & Alpine Lodges (THAGAIAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Mountain & Wilderness Lodges (THAAAHAE)

Keywords

• Destination marketing services
• Visitor information services
• Chamber of commerce
• Tourism promotion
• Community events calendar

Headquarters

HQ city

Highlands

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Visitor and Tourism Promotion Services: The Chamber functions primarily as a non-profit destination marketing organization and visitors bureau, promoting Highlands, NC as a tourist destination. Revenue appears to be generated through membership fees from local businesses (restaurants, hotels, shops, real estate firms, adventure operators) that are listed and promoted on the Chamber website and through Chamber programs. The Chamber provides free visitor information services, event listings, and experience guides.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Visit Highlands is a non-profit destination marketing organization and visitors bureau that promotes Highlands, North Carolina as a mountain tourism destination. It provides free visitor information services through a physical Welcome Center, the highlandschamber.org website, email newsletters, live webcams, and a downloadable Experience Guide, while generating revenue primarily through membership fees from local businesses (restaurants, hotels, shops, real estate agencies, and outdoor activity operators) that are listed and promoted via its platform.

Product overview

Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Visit Highlands operates a tourism marketing platform centered on the Visit Highlands Website, which serves as the primary digital hub for the mountain destination. The platform provides visitor services including a choice of two email newsletters (Community Newsletter for residents and Visitor Newsletter for tourists), live webcam feeds of Downtown and Whiteside Mountain, a comprehensive events calendar, downloadable Experience Guide, business directory with real estate agency listings, and trip planning tools. The ecosystem covers visitor information across categories including outdoor activities, arts and culture, dining, shopping, places to stay, and local heritage.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Visit Highlands Website The primary digital platform for Highlands tourism promotion, providing visitor information, event calendars, webcams, business directories, and trip planning resources for the Highlands, NC mountain destination. Built on the Simpleview destination marketing platform.
• Welcome Center Visitor Services Physical visitor information center at 108 Main Street, Highlands, NC providing area maps, the Highlands Business Guide, Experience Guides, and personalized recommendations for tourists. Critical in a destination with spotty cell coverage.
• Community Newsletter Weekly email newsletter delivering local events, festivals, performances, and seasonal happenings to Highlands residents and community stakeholders.
• Visitor Newsletter Email newsletter featuring waterfall adventures, cultural events, dining highlights, and seasonal tourism information for prospective tourists considering a Highlands visit.
• Live Webcam Services Live webcam feeds showcasing Downtown Highlands (Town Square) and Whiteside Mountain views for real-time visitor experience preview and tourism decision-making.
• Experience Guide Printable and downloadable comprehensive visitor guide covering attractions, dining, accommodations, trails, and activities in Highlands, NC. Distributed in print and digital formats.
• Events Calendar Comprehensive calendar of local events, festivals, performances, and seasonal happenings in the Highlands area, including Highlands Food & Wine, Heritage Jamboree, Mountaintop Art & Craft Show, Friday Night Live, farmer's markets, and performing arts events.
• Business Directory (Chamber Member Listings) Categorized online directory of local member businesses including real estate agencies, restaurants, shops, accommodations, and service providers. The primary listing service for Chamber members.
• Real Estate Agency Listings Online directory of local real estate agencies, including Allen Tate Realtors, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Meadows Mountain Realty, Highlands Sotheby's International Realty, and Christies International Real Estate, assisting visitors and residents seeking mountain property purchases.
• Trip Planning Tools Interactive trip planning tools including trip tips, FAQ pages, and downloadable maps to help visitors plan their Highlands getaway, including information on waterfalls, hikes, dining, and accommodations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Highlands is one of 15 communities in North Carolina to receive the Outdoor NC Trail Town Stewardship Designation
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Simpleview Inc.coreTechnology or IntegrationThe Chamber website (highlandschamber.org) is built and maintained by Simpleview Inc., which provides destination marketing technology solutions. Simpleview's platform hosts the Chamber's events calendar, business listings, article content, webcams, and digital marketing tools. The footer credits 'Made by Simpleview.'
• Mountain Theatre CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMountain Theatre Company brings Broadway-quality performing arts productions to the Highlands Performing Arts Center. With history dating back to the 1930s and a 2022 rebrand and relocation to the PAC, MTC presents popular favorites like Jersey Boys, Grease, and Catch Me If You Can, anchoring the cultural calendar.
• Highlands Performing Arts CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Highlands Performing Arts Center serves as the hub for the area's arts scene, hosting Mountain Theatre Company productions, the Live on Screen series (MET: Live in HD, Great Art on Screen, National Theatre Live), and concerts throughout the year.
• Highlands Cashiers PlayersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn all-volunteer, not-for-profit theater organization that presents first-rate theatrical productions to the plateau, including Love Letters, Always a Bridesmaid, and Squabbles, providing local talent development and entertainment.
• The Bascom: A Center for the Visual ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Bascom is a premiere art destination on a six-acre campus featuring a 27,500 sq ft museum-quality building incorporating a barn frame from 1838, reassembled on site in 2007. It hosts pottery workshops, exhibitions, the Horst Winkler Sculpture Trail, and annual events such as the Dazzling Dahlia Festival.
• Highlands Historical SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaintains the Highlands Historic Museum on North Fourth Street, near Main Street, and contributes to heritage events including the Highlands Heritage Jamboree with authentic moonshine displays and historic education.
• Highlands-Cashiers Land TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Land Trust protects surrounding land that supports Peregrine Falcon food sources and preserves natural habitats across the plateau, contributing to the area's environmental sustainability and outdoor recreation appeal.
• Carolina Climbers CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with public agencies to identify and monitor Peregrine Falcon nesting sites (eyries) on Whiteside Mountain and coordinates with biologists from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission to protect nesting areas.
• Allen Tate Realtors - Pat Allen Realty GroupminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReal estate agency operating within the Chamber's business directory, serving visitors and residents seeking mountain property purchases in the Highlands area.
• Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Meadows Mountain RealtyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLuxury real estate brokerage serving the Highlands market, listed in the Chamber's directory of real estate agencies for mountain home buyers.
• Highlands Sotheby's International RealtyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremier luxury real estate firm serving the Highlands plateau, promoting high-value mountain properties through the Chamber network.
• Christies International Real EstateminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLuxury international real estate brand with a Highlands-Cashiers office, serving ultra-high-net-worth buyers seeking mountain estates.
• Laurel MagazineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional publication serving as a key resource for event planning and local recommendations for visitors and residents of the Highlands plateau.
• N.C. Wildlife Resources CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency that began reintroducing Peregrine Falcons into western North Carolina in 1984; coordinated with Carolina Climbers Coalition to monitor nesting sites and protect Peregrine habitat.
• U.S. Forest ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency managing the Nantahala National Forest surrounding Highlands. Uses Peregrine Falcon nesting data from monitoring partners to make site closure decisions. Highlands sits within the Nantahala National Forest.
• Old Edwards Hospitality GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParent company of Old Edwards Inn & Spa, Highlands Inn, Highlander Mountain House, Skyline Lodge, and Trailborn Highlands. Represents the primary luxury hospitality cluster on Main Street and the Highlands plateau, anchoring the region's accommodation and dining offerings.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Visit Franklin NC (Macon County Tourism Development Authority): Nearby Western NC mountain destination DMO promoting outdoor recreation (waterfalls, hiking, gem mining) and a similar small-town member-driven model. Comparable in regional context and visitor demographic.
• Cherokee Travel & Tourism: Mountain destination DMO in Western NC promoting a mix of outdoor recreation, cultural heritage, and lodging. Comparable in destination structure and Blue Ridge regional context, though with stronger tribal/cultural heritage emphasis.
• Explore Asheville (Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau): The official DMO for Asheville, NC — a larger Blue Ridge mountain destination in the same state. Directly comparable as a destination marketing organization using Simpleview, promoting outdoor recreation, arts, dining, and lodging, but operating at significantly greater scale.
• Transylvania County Tourism (Explore Brevard): Mountain destination DMO for Brevard, NC — adjacent to Highlands, sharing the same temperate rainforest region, waterfalls, and outdoor recreation emphasis. Comparable in scale, member-driven structure, and nature-based positioning.
• Maggie Valley Area Chamber of Commerce: Small mountain destination DMO in Western NC promoting outdoor recreation and seasonal tourism. Comparable in organizational scale, member-based funding, and reliance on a single small-town visitor economy.
• Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce: Neighboring small-mountain DMO on the Highlands-Cashiers plateau. Most comparable peer by geography, scale, member composition, and mountain-destination positioning; the two towns share visitors, the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, and several cultural assets.
• Blowing Rock Tourism Development Authority: Small Blue Ridge mountain destination DMO in NC with a similar mix of outdoor recreation, historic lodging, and seasonal tourism. Comparable in organizational scale, member-based funding, and emphasis on walking-friendly downtowns and natural attractions.

Broad incumbents

• Visit North Carolina: The official state-level DMO for North Carolina. Operates as a broader incumbent that umbrella-markets the entire state, including Highlands as one of many destinations; provides context for Highlands' positioning within the larger NC tourism ecosystem.
• Great Smoky Mountains Association: Nonprofit supporting Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the largest national park in the eastern US and a major draw within the same Southern Appalachian region. Comparable as a heritage/outdoor destination steward in the broader regional tourism ecosystem.

Regional players

• Blue Ridge Parkway Association: Regional destination marketing organization supporting travel along the Blue Ridge Parkway, which runs through the Highlands area. Comparable as a regional DMO promoting mountain-based scenic tourism in the same geographic corridor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/visithighlandsnc
• Xx.com/visit_highlands
• Facebookfacebook.com/VisitHighlandsNC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/highlands-chamber-of-commerce-and-visitor-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Visit Highlands