The visitors

• In 2022, $1.5 billion+ was spent by visitors during their time in Greenville, generating more than 34% tax revenue.
• Of the total money spent by visitors, spending on food represents 40%
• Seven million people visited Greenville in 2022 — enough to fill the Bon Secours Wellness Arena 438+ times.
• Of the seven million visitors, one million traveled through GSP, and 68% visited from out of state.

The industry

• 48,000 people are employed by the leisure and hospitality industry in the Upstate — almost 1 in every 9 jobs.
• Wages for those employees are 29% higher than they were before COVID-19.
• Countywide, hotel revenue exceeded $295 million, up 32% year over year, in 2022.

The talk

• “12 Lesser-Known Southern Destinations Our Editors Can’t Wait To Visit In 2023” | Southern Living
• “A Taco Trail Is Coming To Greenville, South Carolina” | Forbes
• “This South Carolina City Just Got a New Mountain-style Lodge” | Travel + Leisure
• “Best places to go for fall: A dozen cool spots around the world” | CNN Travel
• “25 best Christmas towns in the US for a winter getaway” | TODAY

• Trailside Blazers | Monday, May 8 | 6-9 p.m. | The Commons, 147 Welborn St., Greenville | Free | Take a skate down the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail.

• Tuesdays in Town Farmers Market | Tuesday, May 9 | 4:30-7:30 p.m. | Greer City Park, 301 E. Poinsett St., Greer | Free entry | Shop 30+ curated farmer, produce, and maker vendors, plus enjoy live music and multiple food options.
• East Parkins Mill Road Traffic Calming Meeting | Tuesday, May 9 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Public Works campus, 475 Fairforest Way, Greenville | Free | Discuss traffic safety and speed along East Parkins Mill Road between Ridge and Parkins Mill Roads.

• Trivia Night | Wednesday, May 10 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Pangaea Brewing Co, 115 Welborn St., Greenville | Free entry| Put your knowledge to the test + enjoy a craft beer.
• May NEXT Founders Forum: The Importance of Getting UI/UX Right | Wednesday, May 10 | 10-11:30 a.m. | The Rupert Huse Veterans Center, 770 Pelham Rd., Ste. 102, Greenville | Free | Christopher Cecil from SLANT discusses designing the perfect apps and websites at this networking series.

• Simpsonville Art Center Second Thursdays Open Art Studio | Thursday, May 11 | 5-7:30 p.m. | Simpsonville Arts Center, 110 Academy St., Simpsonville | Free | Grab a friend or family member to work on an art project of your choice in the Make and Believe Artists Studio, scope out the art work on display, and visit with the other studio artists.
• Collaborators and Cocktails | Thursday, May 11 | 5-7:15 p.m. | Endeavor Greenville , 1 N. Main St., Greenville | $30 | Former Regal Cinemas CMO Ken Thewes offers an inside look at the movie biz + a fascinating AR case study — email Endeavor@EndeavorGreenville.com to request tickets.*

• Food Truck Rollout | Friday, May 12 | 5-8 p.m. | Greer City Park, 301 E. Poinsett St., Greer | Free entry | Bring your blankets or chairs for a night of live music by Jonathan Stephens and bites from local food trucks.
• Passport to Dance Benefit Gala | Friday, May 12 | 6:30 p.m. | Bemi’s, 905 N. Main St., Greer | $120 | Join emcee JDew and auctioneer Matt Holiday for an evening that includes live and silent auctions, delicious food, signature cocktails, and performances by International Ballet dancers.*

• Greenville Triumph | Saturday, May 13 | 7 p.m. | Paladin Stadium, 900 Duncan Chapel Rd., Greenville | $15-$60 | Catch the Greenville Triumph on the home pitch for match day.

• Taylors Mill restaurant The Farehouse will open a second location in the former J Peters space on Main Street in Fountain Inn. Reedy River Retail at SVN Blackstream helped lease the space to Upstate businessman Yogi Patel, who plans “to work with The Farehouse owners… to bring the same concept to the Golden Strip.” (Greenville Journal)

• Methodical Coffee is transforming its current roasting space at The Commons (located behind its service counter) into additional cafe space and seating, plus an updated kitchen, with construction estimated to finish by the end of May. Patrons can expect new menu items and additional retail. (Post and Courier Greenville)
• 3’s Greenville, a par-3 golf course near Pelham Road that received an investment from star Justin Timberlake last November, is making renovations to its main building. Updates including a new exterior and interior design, a full kitchen, and an indoor-outdoor bar. Construction is scheduled to finish this June. (FOX Carolina)
• Recraft Creative Reuse Center is moving from its location at 525 Haywood Rd. The current location has closed and ReCraft plans to announce its new space soon. Follow ReCraft on Instagram for its new location announcement.

• Join the Greenville Drive and Furman University for a celebration of the academic achievements that GCS student athletes made this school year. Students are treated to a pregame reception in the 500 Club and the opportunity to interact with guest speaker Bob Richey, Furman Mens Basketball Coach. Get tickets.

• Premier Arts Collective, a nonprofit that “uses the arts as a vehicle for healing and hope” has partnered with Elliott Davis and Camperdown to curate art in the Falls Tower Lobby and Camperdown Plaza Art Walk. Every six months, each location will rotate a new art exhibit featuring local artists. Attend opening night on Friday, May 12 at 6 p.m.

• Congrats to @bethanne05 and @jessmueller32, the first two winners of our “Teacher Care Package” giveaway in partnership with Greenville Federal Credit Union. These local educators will enjoy a package of gift cards to local businesses ($500 value). Know a teacher who deserves the same? Head to our Instagram and tag them in today’s giveaway post.*

• The free Upside app gets you cash back on everyday purchases at 50,000+ locations nationwide, from gas stations to restaurants and grocery stores. Frequent users earn ~$340 per year. Bonus: Use code GVL25 for an extra 25 cents per gallon cash back on your first tank of gas.*

• She doesn’t need another bouquet of flowers — give mom the gift of learning a new language instead. Bonus: Get 55% off.*
• It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, and we’re helping you choose the perfect gift for your favorite educators. Show them love with Marble and Steel Craft Chocolates or a handwritten note using a Joy Paper Co. card.