For the last 20 years, Visit Albuquerque has been recognizing community members for their efforts in bringing meetings to Albuquerque. Since its inception, the program has acknowledged 220 individuals who have helped bring meetings and conventions to the city, and $420 million in direct spending has come to Albuquerque as a result of their efforts. The work of the 2015 Meeting Heroes will contribute more than $2 million in direct spending to Albuquerque:
• José Munoz is bringing his meeting "home" with the 2016 Coalition of Community Schools National Forum taking place in Albuquerque from April 4 - 8, 2016.
• Bob Romero was instrumental in helping to bring the 2015 U.S. Indoor Archery Championships and the Junior Olympic Archery Development (JOAD) National Indoor Championships to Albuquerque from February 20 - 22, 2015.
• Joaquin Chavez's efforts resulted in the 2014 USA National University Weightlifting Championships that took place in Albuquerque from September 26 - 28, 2014.
• Sardo Sanchez took the initiative in bringing the 2016 Combined Action Platoon Veterans Association Reunion to Albuquerque from November 7 - 12, 2015.
• Christopher Timm encouraged support from members to explore Albuquerque during the 2015 Run for the Wall Midway Route that took place May 14 - 15, 2015.
• Dr. Kathie Winograd secured the Central New Mexico Community College 2015 RC-2020 for Albuquerque. This meeting will take place from October 7 - 11, 2015.
"When a resident of Albuquerque steps up and recommends the city as a future event location, it sends a powerful message about the quality and uniqueness of our destination," said Robert Enriquez, Visit Albuquerque Vice President of Convention Sales, Services & Sports.
*Individual photos of the 2015 Meeting Heroes are available here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/os68p0sic22htaz/AAAKDKoLL4gDJcHbFJXJ8LVga?dl=0
If residents would like to help bring a meeting to Albuquerque, they can visit www.MyABQMeeting.com for details. The process is simple, and they could become a future ABQ Meeting Hero.
Tourism is one of the largest private industries in the city of Albuquerque, generating over $2 billion for the economy through visitor spending. Albuquerque welcomes approximately 6.2 million visitors annually, which generate more than $69 million in local taxes each year. Meetings contributed approximately $80 million in direct spending this fiscal year. The hospitality industry also employs over 40,000 people in Albuquerque.