Xpand is an arts economic development brand consisting of multiple businesses including a nonprofit. These businesses collectively work together to uplift the creative economy through events, education/advocacy, and partnerships. All businesses were originally formed and currently reside in Asheville, North Carolina but are continually growing and open to expanding.

Xpand Your Vision is the community organizing nonprofit wing of Xpand that primarily partners on events that inspire innovation and fund creative programming. Xpand Your Vision has been operating as a sole proprietor event planning/marketing company since 2012 and is currently undergoing the federal application process to be recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Xpand Your Vision consists of an annual arts festival called Xpand Fest (in partnership with Xpand Your Plan), fiscal sponsorships, grants and other special events.

Xpand Fest is the one day outdoor signature event of the Xpand brand, held in June of every year. Xpand Fest highlights music and arts as an innovative tool towards inclusive development and social change. Since it’s inception in 2017, the festival has reached over a million people and has brought over 14,000 people to the streets of Asheville. This event along with all events associated with the Xpand brand, was created to expand people’s vision of all art disciplines and to celebrate their profound societal impact locally and globally. Xpand Fest provides a platform to examine the imperceptible creativity around and how it relates to sustainability. In September 2015, world leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and tackle climate change by 2030. The Xpand brand is excited to support these global efforts locally through providing a creative platform to have these conversations in our community and galvanize action. With additional opportunities on the horizon, Xpand will uses these sustainable principles in all additionally produced events.

Xpand Your Plan and XYD are the LLC wings of the Xpand brand which focus on education and access to markets through partnerships. Xpand Your Plan primarily consults on economic development, strategic planning, project management, marketing, publicity and social media but we also offer a vast network of professionals across disciplines that understand the unique needs of any creative business, nonprofit or government organization trying to sustainably support the arts. 

Xpand believes that profit is important to the longevity of a company but believes stronger that equitable profit through social enterprise is the way to the long-term sustainability of a company, a community, and the world. Xpand commits itself to the greater good in everything we do and continues to develop innovative ways to bring artists together with their community for economic stability and healthy growth.