Word on the street: HATCH Asheville not happening in April; future unclear

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

1

After a three-year run, it appears that HATCH Asheville won’t come off in April. For the last three years, April has been the month for the networking and creativity festival in downtown Asheville. The event matches mentors in a group of specific disciplines – architecture, design/technology, fashion, film, journalism, music and photography – with up-and-comers seeking more expertise. Panels discussions, workshops and parties were all part of the deal, with all of it open to the ticket-buying public.

But the general public never really showed up. Despite the success of the originating event in Montana and other similar conferences, such as TED and SXSW, HATCH Asheville never found a foothold.  The event was trumpeted as just the sort of event Asheville needed to prime the pump for young creative types and entrepreneurs looking to launch new ideas. But without major sponsorships and strong ticket sales, it looks like the effort is on hold, at the least, and perhaps done for good.

More details to come.

Image link for Hatch Asheville image.