ALBUQUERQUE, NM (December 14, 2010) – The Visit Albuquerque (Visit Albuquerque) is proud to celebrate 30 years of stimulating Albuquerque’s economy through marketing the city as a visitor and convention destination.

This special anniversary will be recognized during the Visit Albuquerque’s annual partner holiday party tonight, Tuesday, December 14th at the Radisson Hotel & Water Park, 2500 Carlisle Blvd. N.E. from 5-7:30pm.

City Council passed the resolution which established an independent Visit Albuquerque in November 1980. Visit Albuquerque was incorporated after separating from the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce. At its inception, Visit Albuquerque’s goals were to encourage, promote and stimulate convention and visitor industries in Albuquerque and New Mexico.

In the first 30 years, the Visit Albuquerque has stayed true to our initial mission. With a staff of 40 full-time employees, a board of 33 directors representing hospitality and general business sectors and over 130 volunteers, we work on a daily basis to stimulate economic growth by marketing Albuquerque as a visitor and convention destination. After a humble beginning with 30 members in 1980, the bureau now maintains a membership of nearly 950 partners across many industries in the Albuquerque metro area.

In 1979, Albuquerque reported visitor spending of $242 million. Since that time, we have seen spending grow to more than $2 billion per year.

Operating under contract with the City of Albuquerque, Visit Albuquerque is funded by lodgers tax paid by visitors staying in the city’s lodging facilities.

“We are very proud to represent this vibrant industry that is so critical to the success of the city of Albuquerque as its second largest industry. Our business partners make it a pleasure to represent them every day in working to attract conventions and visitors to our city, and we could not do what we do without their continual participation and support,” said Dale Lockett, President/CEO of the Visit Albuquerque.