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Brenna Moore/Visit Albuquerque
Office: (505) 222-4349
Moore@VisitABQ.org
Albuquerque Celebrates Global Meetings Industry Day
Local hospitality industry convenes to highlight the undeniable value meetings and events bring to the Albuquerque community and its economy
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – (April 11, 2024) – Visit Albuquerque – in collaboration with several local hotel and meeting partners – today released a video to celebrate Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID), recognizing hospitality employees for their efforts in sustaining a strong meetings and events industry in Albuquerque and highlighting the significant impact these events have on the city and community.
Visit Albuquerque and its board of directors partnered with the ASM Global-managed Albuquerque Convention Center and area hotels to support #GMID2024 by sharing the message that #MeetingsMatter in Albuquerque.
“The travel and hospitality industry – including the vitally important sector of meetings and events – is one of the city’s largest private industries and one of Albuquerque’s most effective economic development strategies,” said Tania Armenta, President & CEO of Visit Albuquerque. “As we commemorate Global Meetings Industry Day, we salute the countless professionals who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make every event a success. Albuquerque has a dynamic meetings community that continually raises the bar in delivering exceptional experiences and driving economic growth. Visit Albuquerque, in collaboration with our esteemed local hospitality partners, is dedicated to attracting impactful meetings and events to our city. These gatherings not only bolster our economy by drawing in new visitors, but they also serve as a catalyst for new revenue streams.”
GMID, led by the industry advocacy coalition Meetings Mean Business, brings together organizations across six continents to showcase the value of the meetings industry and spotlight the importance of in-person events.
The meetings industry in Albuquerque extends far beyond traditional conference venues, encompassing a wide array of sectors and disciplines. From technology and healthcare to arts and education, Albuquerque hosts a diverse range of events that showcase the city's depth of talent and expertise. Meetings and events are a critical component of Albuquerque’s tourism and hospitality industry, which brings in 6.7 million visitors who spend $2.6 billion annually and support more than 45,000 jobs within the metro area. In calendar year 2023, Visit Albuquerque – with assistance from its partners and the local hospitality community – supported 232 meetings, conventions and sporting events that brought more than 259,000 attendees to Albuquerque and generated more than $78 million in estimated direct spending. According to U.S. Travel and Tourism Economics, in 2023, meetings and events generated nearly $119 billion in travel spending in the U.S., directly supporting 600,000 American jobs.
“Albuquerque has welcomed some significant events and conventions this fiscal year,” said Scott Craighead, Vice President of Sales, Services & Sports for Visit Albuquerque. “Our accessibility, affordability, outstanding weather and one-of-a-kind experiences help Albuquerque stand out from other destinations, and we are confident these inherent assets will pave the way for us to welcome even more visitors for future meetings and events.”
On the horizon are high-profile meetings such as the upcoming 2024 National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration (April 14-19), estimated to bring 400 attendees to the city; the 2024 NM Interscholastic Athletics/Activities State Conference (July), with an estimated attendance of 2,000; the 2024 Project SEARCH Annual Meeting (July), estimated to bring 800 attendees to the city; and the 2024 National Staff Development and Training Association Education Conference taking place in October, with an estimated attendance of 400. These are just a few highlights of future meeting and event bookings. Events currently booked by Visit Albuquerque occurring in 2024 will bring in an estimated $51 million in direct spending to the city’s economy, with new business being continuously added.
Global Meetings Industry Day serves as a reminder that nothing can replace face-to-face meetings. A recent Forbes article highlighted a Yale study confirming that virtual meetings are less engaging than in-person meetings, noting that virtual meetings produced substantially less activity in brain areas associated with facial processing and social interaction. There are many benefits to face-to-face meetings, including education and training opportunities and access to more information through informal conversations.
Visit Albuquerque is a proud member of and partner to the New Mexico Chapter of Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), the New Mexico Society of Association Executives (NMSAE), the Rocky Mountain Chapter of International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), the Greater Albuquerque Hotel and Lodging Association (GAHLA) and the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce. Together with the event professionals at the Albuquerque Convention Center and the hospitality experts at local hotels, the industry’s collective commitment to excellence helps create memorable experiences for all who visit the city.
“By hosting influential leaders and attendees, meetings and events pave the way for invaluable networking opportunities and potential business ventures, not only benefiting our community but also elevating the stature of our state on a broader scale,” said Armenta.
About Visit Albuquerque
Visit Albuquerque is an accredited destination marketing organization (DMO), and a private, not-for-profit organization [501(c)(6)]. The mission of Visit Albuquerque is to stimulate economic growth by marketing Albuquerque as a convention, sports and visitor destination. For more information, go to www.VisitABQ.org.
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