Visit Albuquerque prohibits users from downloading images from our website.
Please use our media library for downloadable images and usage rights.The past few months have been a whirlwind of change and uncertainty during an already unprecedented time for our industry. That being said, Visit Albuquerque is passionate about supporting, promoting and uptifing you in every way we can. We continue to encourage our community to support local businesses and help to spread the word of the benefit of the NM Safe Promise and NM Safe Certification.
As you’ll read in this issue of Industry Insider, we are working to market the city to in-state travelers and locals, provide tips to potential guests and customers, and find new and relevant ways to keep Albuquerque top-of-mind.
Thank you for being a Visit Albuquerque Partner.
Tania Armenta
President & CEO
Visit Albuquerque
Visit Albuquerque’s Virtual Annual Meeting, September 29 from 2 to 3 pm
Join our Virtual Annual Meeting for the latest updates and news, including:
Watch for a registration link soon. In the meantime, save the day and time on your calendars!
This month, Visit Albuquerque launched a banner advertising campaign encouraging New Mexicans to enjoy a relaxing break in our city before the summer is over. The six ads, pictured here, focus on the unique activities and attractions that differentiate Albuquerque from other in-state destinations, including the Sandia Peak Tram, Historic Old Town, the ABQ BioPark Zoo and Botanic Garden, year-round hot air ballooning, and the state’s largest variety of restaurant patios and food halls. The ads also acknowledge that vacations might look a little different this year, but emphasize that Albuquerque is the ideal spot for travelers who want to get away while staying safe.
In-state travelers are not Visit Albuquerque’s typical primary audience, but they will be our marketing focus until the State of New Mexico rescinds its order requiring visitors from out of state to quarantine for 14 days. At that time, we will shift our advertising to target travelers from drive markets. The banner ads will target adults outside of Albuquerque who are between the ages of 25 and 54 and will run throughout August and September.
Visit Albuquerque recently developed a list of tips on how to be a good customer or guest in the COVID-19 era. Rather than lecturing people about the rules, the list uses a light-hearted approach to remind folks about ways to respectfully enjoy Albuquerque’s restaurants and other attractions. Check out the list of tips here.
In addition to providing these tips, the organization published a blog to highlight how locals are safely enjoying their favorite places throughout the city. The blog features a gallery of crowd-sourced images of people wearing masks and engaging in COVID-safe practices. Read the blog.
The team at Visit Albuquerque continues to stay busy with working to generate future business.
On July 30, Larry Atchison represented Visit Albuquerque at Smart Meetings Virtual Mid-Atlantic Smart Experience. He conducted 11 sales appointments with past and prospective clients. Two of the clients will be releasing RFPs in August, and Albuquerque will be included on their distribution list.
Angie Jepsen and Angela Gandy represented the Albuquerque Sports Commission, a division of Visit Albuquerque, at Sports ETA SportsBiz Xchange every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Aug. 3-21. The online event provided a month-long schedule of virtual business appointments and industry networking opportunities for its members and sports events rights holders.
On August 18, Clarissa Baca represented Visit Albuquerque at Virtual Meetings. Unlike traditional meeting platforms, attendees had an avatar and conducted face-to-face video chats. The Visit Albuquerque meeting suite included 2 screens, one with the VisitABQ website and the other with a 6 page customized powerpoint presentation. Clarissa’s seven one-on-one virtual appointments were productive, but the general consensus was that nothing will ever be able to replace in-person meetings.
From “Unique Distance Dining Options in Albuquerque” to another batch of puzzles waiting to be completed, the ABQ365 blog is a resource for inspiration and things to do. While content has shifted to our local audience for the time being, the continued intent of these blog posts is to provide inspiration and creative guides for locals and future visitors to the city. Visit ABQ365.com to see the latest posts and events calendar.
On Aug. 4, Visit Albuquerque partnered with the Albuquerque Convention Center to host a virtual site inspection for the American Farrier’s Association. The executive director of the association commented on the creativity, professionalism and partnership displayed in a virtual environment as an in-person visit was not feasible during the month of August. The American Farrier’s Association will host its 50th anniversary celebration in Albuquerque in 2021.
On Aug. 5, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the Small Business Recovery Loan Fund for New Mexico small businesses.
The Small Business Recovery Act of 2020 allocates $400 million in funds from the New Mexico State Severance Tax Fund to provide loans to New Mexico businesses and nonprofits that have experienced financial hardship due to the public health order resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more.
In an effort to support the local hospitality community and provide residents with a fun and safe escape that’s close to home, Visit Albuquerque is excited to announce the “Design Your Perfect Albuquerque Staycation” promotion. Working with our Partners, we’ve put together customizable staycation packages featuring only-in-Albuquerque experiences designed to minimize contact and maximize fun. These “Stay, Play and Crave” experiences allow for locals to rediscover their city and immerses in-state visitors within our city’s distinctive offerings while emphasizing physically distanced activities and highlighting businesses that have earned their New Mexico Safe Certification.
Locals and New Mexico residents can build their perfect Albuquerque staycation by going to visitalbuquerque.org/plan-my-trip/staycation/ and following the steps to book a hotel, unlock discount codes for attractions and activities, and find outdoor dining options to create the perfect getaway.
Thank you to all the Partners that are participating in the staycation promotion by offering special discounts. Other lodging and attraction Partners still interested in being added as participants in the staycation promotion should contact Ceela McElveny at mcelveny@visitabq.org. Visit Albuquerque will advertise the deal with a paid advertising and social media campaign.
One of your key benefits as a Partner of Visit Albuquerque is your business listing on our website. Travelers and residents alike count on our website for information about where to eat, shop, play and stay in Albuquerque.
As businesses begin to reopen, many of you are making changes to your business hours, operations, products, services and amenities. Make sure your customers, clients and guests know about these changes by updating your business listing on VisitABQ.org. It only takes 3 easy steps!
Complete your contact information on this form.
If you have any questions, please contact us at listings@visitabq.org.
A new filter allows Tripadvisor users to sort lodging properties in order to view only those that are taking additional safety precautions related to COVID-19. This means it is important for your property to update its Tripadvisor listing as soon as possible. Access the safety checklist in your Tripadvisor Management Center and select which safety measures you have in place, such as mandatory face masks, additional sanitation procedures and social distancing policies. You also can submit a text description of the steps you are taking to protect customers.
www.tripadvisor.com/TripAdvisorInsights/w6853
We’re looking for images of COVID-safe practices in Albuquerque. Help us promote your business and Albuquerque in this new era by uploading your images of employees and customers wearing masks, socially distancing and participating in other COVID-safe practices. We might use your photo on social media, on our website, or in other marketing materials to promote our city and our Partners. It’s easy to share your image, just click this link, and drag and drop your images in our public uploader.
Click here to upload your image(s) now.
Visit Albuquerque’s ABQ365 Events Calendar offers a great opportunity to promote your virtual and COVID-safe events! The one-stop, all-ABQ encompassing calendar features primarily arts, entertainment and culture-focused events, appealing to both locals and visitors.
Virtual events listings offer a great opportunity for additional exposure and promotion, and can help keep your business top-of-mind – for free!
Click here to get started, and be sure to select the virtual events tag on the submission form.
Coupons can be a great way to drive traffic to your business. If you have a current coupon or special running, please submit it to us so we can list it on our Special and Coupons page.
Click here to submit your current coupons and specials.
We know things are different right now. We want to help you share your new initiatives. If you are offering a new type of service or concept, a new product, or have anything else exciting or new going on, we want to hear about it! Send anything and everything to Media@VisitABQ.org.
Local
More New Mexicans resort to staycations amid COVID-19 - KOB
Governor adds new exemptions to 14-day quarantine order - Albuquerque Journal
Visit ABQ and the Missing Piece - Albuquerque the Magazine
National
7 Cheap Cities to Buy a House in Right Now - Apartment Therapy
Best Eco-Friendly Hotel - USA Today 10Best
The Best Farms in Every State - Food & Wine
1950s Nostalgia is the Latest US Food - CNN Travel
Betty Bulldog’s Stay-Cation in Albuquerque! - Fido Friendly Online
More than 40 Visit Albuquerque Partners have earned certification through the NM Safe Certified program, which verifies that their management team has been trained in COVID-Safe Practices. Check out all the businesses statewide that have earned the certification so far at nmsafecertified.org, and click here to start earning your certification today.
The Painted Lady Bed & Brew and Jesse Herron were featured on the Travel Channel’s “Hotel Paranormal.” The series is narrated by Dan Aykroyd, and includes witness interviews and reenactments of ghostly sightings at hotels across the country. KOB4 also covered the hotel’s long history and recent encounters. See the local coverage here.
Return to the colorful, relaxing Patio Market Garden shops. Yucca Art Gallery is now open Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. August's featured artists are Sharron Patrick, carved gourds; Fran Krukar, watercolor; and Leah Ready, beadwork. Find that unique gift for yourself, make up for lost Mother's or Father's Day gifts and chat with the artists themselves.
Learn more at https://www.yuccaartgallery.com/.
Calling local brewery, entertainment and restaurant businesses to participate in a digital passport program developed to help local businesses with no cost to participate. The Unbelievable Pass will be the premier deals pass for Albuquerque and the perfect cure for cabin fever.
Email support@doabq.com for more information.
Save money on Albuquerque and New Mexico restaurants, shopping, hotels, attractions, theater and more. Create... More
The city of Albuquerque sits at a mile above sea level (5,000-6,000 ft. elevation) and has a high-desert... More
Albuquerque has fun for all ages, see our family fun page to learn more! More