Partner Connection

April 2026

Events
Partner Kudos
Social Media Spotlight
Partner Opportunities
Partner Benefit Highlight
New & Renewing Partners

Tourism Grant Program Open for Applications

Applications are now open for the 2026-2027 Visit Albuquerque Tourism Grant Program, an initiative designed to support innovative projects that enhance Albuquerque’s visitor experience and strengthen the local tourism economy. Funded through Albuquerque Tourism Marketing District (ATMD), the program invests in ideas and initiatives that help grow overnight visitation while showcasing the culture, creativity and authenticity that make Albuquerque unique.

Two funding opportunities are available:

Innovator Grants: Awards of up to $100,000 for established projects ready for implementation that demonstrate strong potential to drive visitation and economic impact. (Funding match is required for Innovator projects.)

Incubator Grants: Awards of up to $10,000 designed to support emerging ideas, pilot programs or smaller-scale initiatives that bring new visitor experiences to life.

Visit Albuquerque is encouraging projects that align with key priorities identified in the Albuquerque Destination Master Plan, including Route 66 activations, Transportation & Connectivity improvements, and Downtown Development & Activation. Projects supporting culinary tourism, outdoor recreation and arts and cultural heritage experiences are also encouraged.

Applications, eligibility requirements and program guidelines are available now at VisitABQ.org/tourismgrants. The application deadline is May 22, 2026.

Events

Improve Your Team’s Customer Service Skills and Knowledge of Albuquerque

Visit Albuquerque’s Albuquerque Community Experience (ACE) training program is designed to brush up your employees’ customer service skills and strengthen their knowledge of the city. Graduates of the program can answer guests’ questions about things to do and places to visit. The program also provides training on topics such as first impressions, effective communication and handling conflict. Graduates will receive a commemorative lapel pin and a certificate recognizing their completion of the program.

Don’t miss your chance to attend an upcoming class:

April 17, 2026
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Explora
1701 Mountain Rd. NW, 87104

May 4, 2026
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
DoubleTree Albuquerque
201 Marquette Ave. NW, 87102

The cost is $25 per person for Partner businesses and $40 per person for non-Partners. In honor of the Route 66 Centennial, anyone who registers three employees from the same organization will be charged $66 for all three registrations. Snacks will be provided along with water and coffee. To register, call Trish Hathoot at 505-908-8178 or send an email to TKHTrainingABQ@gmail.com.

Graduates will be recognized as Albuquerque Community Experience professionals and will receive a complimentary Community Experience pass that allows each of them and one guest to visit attractions throughout the Albuquerque area. The value of each ACE experience pass is more than $500! All ACE attendees from now through the end of 2026 will receive special tips and training in preparation for the Route 66 centennial plus a free branded T-shirt! Make sure your team is ready for visitors coming to Albuquerque to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Mother Road.

Seating is limited, so register your employees now!

Congrats to the ACE graduates from the March 12 class at the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown.

Graduates: Jordan Rivera, Marla Gallegos and Raymond Cramer from the Albuquerque Convention Center; Waad Gharbia and Angela Gazzara from Visit Albuquerque; Rosabelle Arellano, Anthony Tekala and Jamita Rosetta from the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center; Matt Ivey and Roy Venaglia from Sheraton Uptown; Merari Vazquez, Issa Meza and Eduardo Ornelas from Baymont Inn; David Pate, Vee Vaughn and Isabel Garcia from Marriott Element; Jimmy Martinez, Yuliana Morales, Mia Vasquez, Itzel Perez, Karina Cabello and Kari Bryan from Hilton Garden Inn Downtown; and Jeremy Weise, Alonzo Ortega and Vinny Salinas from Holiday Inn Express Old Town.

Refresh Your Knowledge of Partner Benefits at Partner Orientation

Refresh your knowledge about all the opportunities you have as a Visit Albuquerque Partner at Partner Orientation. Long-standing and new Partners are welcome to learn how to make the most of your benefits. The next Partner Orientation is:

May 20, 2026
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Visit Albuquerque offices
20 First Plaza, Suite 601, 87102

Find more Partner Orientation dates. RSVP in advance to attend.

Partner Kudos

Marble Brewery Celebrates 18 Years in Business

Marble Brewery is celebrating 18 years of brewing beer in Albuquerque this month. Congratulations on the anniversary!

Visit Albuquerque Partners Recognized as 40 Under 40

Visit Albuquerque's Partners were well represented in Albuquerque Business First’s “40 Under 40” Awards. Congratulations to Lancing Adams II, the Acting Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department; Breanna P. Contreras, the Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs at Meow Wolf; Hannah Feil Greenhood, the Principal Architect at Dekker; Chad Matheson, the President & CEO of the Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance; and Jon Murray, the CEO of VARA Winery & Distillery.

Social Media Spotlight

New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science

The New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science reopened to the public after a months-long closure for renovations. The reopening was a grand event, with food trucks and free showings in the Dynatheater and Planetarium. The museum posted countdowns to the grand re-opening event on its social media pages to create hype around the big day and to make it a can't-miss experience. Congratulations on the renovations!

A screenshot of a social post from the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science.

Partner Opportunities

Share Your Thoughts in “Five to Thrive” Survey

In a recent Albuquerque Journal opinion piece, the Economic Forum presented the “Five to Thrive” - a focused agenda to drive economic growth and vitality in Albuquerque. The five key, high-impact pillars that will focus this strategy are:

Public safety technology and civilian involvement
Affordable and transitional housing
Tax and regulation reform
Downtown revitalization
Completing the Albuquerque Rail Trail

Economic Forum is collaborating with Mayor Tim Keller to develop a strategic action plan for these initiatives. Fill out this form to share your insights on each priority area by April 17.

Host a Visit Albuquerque Partner Event

If you and your business are interested in hosting a Visit Albuquerque Partner event, fill out this form to indicate your interest. Events include Business Exchanges, Partner Pop-Ins, ACE classes and more. No matter the size, you can host an event! We look forward to working with you to shape an exciting event for Visit Albuquerque Partners.

Place Your Ad on Visit Albuquerque’s Website

The DTN Paid Content program offers a variety of placements on Visit Albuquerque's website, and programs can be tailored to meet your specific marketing and budget needs. The DTN team offers free creative services to help get your program running quickly, easy access to performance reporting and a friendly support team.

You can contact DTN at Advertising@DTNads.com or call 855-801-5905 if you’re interested.

Tell Us About Your Route 66 Centennial Specials

Is your business planning something special for the Route 66 Centennial? We want to know about it! You could be creating a new Route 66 activity like TourABQ’s Route 66 Speakeasy Tour, offering a special food item like Duran Central Pharmacy’s milkshakes in commemorative pint glasses, or selling special items like Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway’s centennial stickers. Send your Centennial celebrations and promotions to Marketing@VisitABQ.org.

An image of the Route 66 Centennial shakes offered at Duran Central Pharmacy. The Route 66 Centennial sticker from the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway.

Highlight Your Event on the ABQ365 Calendar

Visit Albuquerque’s ABQ365 Events Calendar offers a great opportunity to promote your events! The one-stop, all-ABQ encompassing calendar features primarily arts, entertainment and culture-focused events, appealing to both locals and visitors.

Event listings offer a great opportunity for additional exposure and promotion, and can help keep your business top-of-mind – for free!

Submit your events.

Submit Your Coupons and Bring in Customers

Bring in new customers with a great deal at your business! If you have a current coupon or special, submit it to us and we’ll feature it on our popular Specials & Coupons page and our digital savings pass. These promotions are also spotlighted during major events, meetings and conventions happening in Albuquerque, giving your business even more exposure.

When you submit a coupon, you input your own valid dates and can tailor offers for specific events or seasons, giving you full control of your offers on our site.

Submit your coupons and specials.

Partner Benefit Highlight

Keep Your Visit Albuquerque Listing Up to Date

Make sure your listing on Visit Albuquerque’s website is up to date. Partners can add new photos, update the description and add amenities. See this flyer for more information about how to take advantage of your listing, and email Partner@VisitABQ.org with any changes to your listing you would like to make.

New & Renewing Partners

Thanks To Our New & Renewing Partners

Visit Albuquerque’s Partners help support our mission to market the city as a top-choice destination for leisure travel, meetings and sporting events. Our thanks to the following Partners that recently joined or renewed their partnership with Visit Albuquerque. We appreciate your commitment to making Albuquerque a great place to visit and to live!

New Partners

Renewing Partners