Albuquerque, NM – IACREOT, the International Association of Clerks, Recorders, Election Officials and Treasurers, has chosen Albuquerque as the host for its 2012 Annual Convention. A committee led by the Visit Albuquerque (Visit Albuquerque), including the DoubleTree Hotel, the Hyatt Regency Albuquerque and the Albuquerque Convention Center – managed by SMG, worked together to complete the initial bid for IACREOT’s 2012 Annual Convention in October 2009. 

 

After making the short list along with Denver and Tucson, the Albuquerque committee was invited to host a reception and make a personal presentation to the IACREOT board in Chicago at their Annual Mid-year Meeting. The Visit Albuquerque hosted a New Mexican-themed reception for the IACREOT board members complete with the sights, scents and sounds of Albuquerque and New Mexico…glowing miniature luminarias, sage incense candles, the aroma of roasting green chiles, serapes, Native American rugs, Spanish guitar music, banners with Albuquerque and Santa Fe images, and customized marketing pieces created by Visit Albuquerque’s in-house marketing team encouraging the delegates to vote for Albuquerque. The reception also featured a special tequila demonstration and discussion on chiles by Albuquerque local expert Jim Garcia, Operations Director for El Pinto Restaurant and Cantina. 

 

The Albuquerque team comprised of Heather Buskirk, Melissa Muniz, Jeff Silva, Don Griego, and Valerie Espinoza also presented a customized presentation with video to the board to wrap up the bid process. The team was successfully awarded the bid after the board vote. 

 

“We were competing for this business against tremendous destinations. IACREOT’s selection of Albuquerque demonstrates that the unique components of our destination and the assembly of a passionate local team can at times make the difference,” said Dale Lockett, President/CEO of the Visit Albuquerque.

 

IACREOT’s Annual Convention is expected to bring 550 attendees to Albuquerque in the summer of 2012. The meeting is expected to generate 1651 hotel room nights and $491,100 in direct spending, according to the Visit Albuquerque.