The Tourism Association of New Mexico (TANM)is pleased to announce the finalists for the annual Tourism Industry Association Recognition Awards, known as the TIARA Awards.  These awards help bring greater awareness to the importance of the tourism industry to New Mexico’s economy, and are given to highlight excellence and creative accomplishment in travel marketing and promotion.

The TIARA awards are among the most prestigious tourism awards in New Mexico and for that reason have been aligned with the annual Governor's Conference on Tourism, April 16-18, 2008 in Roswell. The winners will be announced and showcased during the awards luncheon April 17.

Finalists this year from all categories are Buffalo Thunder Resort, Rio Rancho Convention and Visitors Bureau, the UFO Festival in Roswell, the New Mexico Tourism Department’s North Central marketing region, Visit Albuquerque, Carlsbad’s Christmas on the Pecos, Clovis Music Festival, Enchantment Travel Notes radio program, and the Village of Chama. In addition, the Tourism Professional of the Year will be announced.

Entries may include individual or cooperative destination marketing programs or campaigns, including special promotions, events/festivals, direct marketing, electronic, technical, or interactive marketing efforts, creative elements in all forms of media, public relations efforts, etc., targeted to either the domestic or international markets. Categories include Best Brochure, Best Website, Best Print Advertising, Most Innovative Promotion, Outstanding New Event, Outstanding Event, Best Outdoor Advertisement, Outstanding Attraction, Most Successful Public Relations Effort and Most Successful Sponsorship Solicitation.

TANM is a non-profit membership organization created 20 years ago to unite the interests of the state’s travel, tourism and allied industries, and works closely with the NM Tourism Department and the New Mexico Lodging and Restaurant Association. TANM works as an advocate for the tourism industry with both the executive and legislative branches of state government.

In conjunction with the New Mexico Tourism Department, TANM cosponsors the Governor’s Conference on Tourism. The Association also stages an annual Research and Marketing Conference, bringing industry experts to New Mexico to help keep members and other interested parties informed about new trends, marketing techniques, travel forecasts and demographic profiles.

The theme of this year’s Governor’s Conference is “Passport to Our World and Beyond.”  Noted speakers will address international tourism in New Mexico, as well as how the tourism industry can address the challenges associated with climate change.

Three new inductees into the Tourism Hall of Fame will also be announced during the Hall of Fame dinner on the evening of April 17. 

Registration and program details are on the TANM website, www.tanm.org. For more information call the TANM office in Albuquerque, 505-345-5553.