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Industry Insider

January 2025

It’s hard to believe the first month of 2025 is already in the books, and it’s been a busy one for the Visit Albuquerque team and various stakeholder groups with strong momentum from a planning, implementation and development standpoint. We hope the new year brings success for you and your business. Visit Albuquerque is excited to work with you to achieve destination success and build on the work from the past year.  Thank you for your continued support. We’re excited to continue to promote the city that we love alongside each of you.

This month's edition of Industry Insider includes information on new advertising initiatives, supporting the New Mexico Tourism Department’s budget request and upcoming meetings, conventions and sports events in Albuquerque.

Thank you for being a Visit Albuquerque Partner!

News

ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN EXPANDS TO ADDITIONAL AIRPORTS

Visit Albuquerque’s ads have been running at airports in Dallas and Denver for the past year and at the Phoenix airport for the past two years. In early February, we will expand our advertising presence to additional U.S. airports. Our ads will appear on digital monitors located on concourses, above baggage carousels and at the gates of 12 airports:

  • Four Continuing
    • Denver International
    • Phoenix Sky Harbor
    • Dallas-Fort Worth International
    • Dallas Love Field
  • Eight New
    • Austin-Bergstrom International
    • Houston George Bush Intercontinental
    • Houston Hobby
    • Long Beach Airport
    • Los Angeles International
    • San Diego International
    • Santa Ana/Orange County (John Wayne Airport
    • Salt Lake City International

A picture showing a Visit Albuquerque ad on a board in Dallas Love Field airport.

Running at most of these airports will be a series of 10-second videos that highlight outdoor recreation, New Mexican cuisine, hot air ballooning, local culture and Route 66. Other ads will feature stunning still photography of Albuquerque attractions.

Data shows that airline passengers have higher household incomes, travel for leisure more frequently and plan longer trips than people who travel by car. In addition, our airport advertising will reach business travelers and sports organizers who are responsible for selecting locations for group meetings and events.

Attend an ACE Class to 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 about 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:

Feb. 5, 2025
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Rainbow Ryders Hot Air Balloon Co.
5601 Eagle Rock Ave. NE, 87113

March 6, 2025
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Top Golf
1600 Desert Surf Circle, 87107

The ACE class from December 2024 pose for a picture.

Congrats to the ACE graduates from the December 2024 class at the Wheels Museum!

Graduates: Janaya Arajuo Tafoya, Jovan McCarthy, Aaron McDaniel, Ashley Lopez and Sonya Gonzales from Staybridge North, Alexandra Stanley from Marriott Element Westin, Alan Gonzales, John Simons and Kaylynn Begaye from Sandia Resort & Casino, Henryk Sloma and Steve Schroeder from Wheels Museum.

The cost is $25 per person for Partner businesses and $40 per person for non-Partners. 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!
 
Seating is limited, so register your employees now!

Support the State Tourism Department’s Budget Request

The New Mexico Tourism Department submitted its budget request for the upcoming fiscal year. Some of the specific items in the department’s FY26 budget request include:

  • $31.4 million base budget
  • $16 million special appropriation for national and international advertising
  • $1.9 million special appropriation for Destination Forward
  • $2 million special appropriation for anti-litter campaign
  • $2 million special appropriation for Marketing Center of Excellence Bureau

Visit Albuquerque supports the Tourism Department’s budget request. We participate in the department’s cooperative advertising program, which provides a two-to-one match that gives a boost to Visit Albuquerque’s marketing efforts. To emphasize the importance of tourism, Visit Albuquerque attended Tourism Day at the State Capitol on Jan. 21. President & CEO Tania Armenta, Vice President of Destination Development and Community Engagement Brooke Jung and Visitor Services Manager Stephanie Montoya spoke with legislators about tourism’s positive impact on our community and why visitors are important to our economy.

Stephanie Montoya and Brooke Jung at Tourism Day 2025 at the State Capitol.

We encourage local hospitality businesses to contact legislators and ask them to support the Tourism Department’s budget request. Legislators need to hear from their constituents about the positive impact this funding will have on the hospitality and tourism industry. Contact legislators today!

 

 

Upcoming Meetings and Sports Events

In February 2025, more than 33,000 people will participate in meetings and sports events booked and supported by Visit Albuquerque. These events will generate an estimated $6.07 million in direct spend. Some of the noteworthy events include:

Dates

Group Name

Est. Attendance

Meeting Location

Feb. 1-2

New Mexico Youth Soccer Association 2025 EA Leagues-3

1,426

Mesa Del Sol Soccer Fields

Feb. 1-2

New Mexico Youth Soccer Association Annual General Meeting

100

Crowne Plaza Albuquerque

Feb. 7-8

UNM Track & Field Collegiate Classic

1,280

Albuquerque Convention Center

Feb. 7-9

New Mexico Agriculture Education & FFA Leadership Conference

900

Albuquerque Convention Center

Feb. 8-9

New Mexico Youth Soccer Association TnT Spring Blast

2,475

NM Soccer Tournament Complex

Feb. 9-11

National Science Foundation Convergence Accelerator SW Regional Expansion Event

200

The Clyde Hotel

Feb. 12-16

Western States Communication Association Annual Convention

400

Albuquerque Convention Center

Feb. 14-15

UNM Track & Field Don Kirby Elite Invitational

1,600

Albuquerque Convention Center

Feb. 15-16

New Mexico Youth Soccer Association GA Leagues-1

1,426

Mesa Del Sol Soccer Fields

Feb. 15-16

New Mexico Youth Soccer Association Power Ford Rio Rapids Cup

4,950

NM Soccer Tournament Complex

Feb. 15-16

United States Specialty Sports Association President’s Day Tournament

2,574

Jennifer Riordan Spark Kindness Sports Complex

Feb. 15

Great Southwest Track & Field Championships Indoor Meet

1,274

Albuquerque Convention Center

Feb. 20-22

Lone Star Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships

600

Albuquerque Convention Center

Feb. 21-22

New Mexico Activities Association State Swimming & Diving Championships

1,568

Albuquerque Academy Natatorium

Feb. 21-22

New Mexico Activities Association State Wrestling Tournament

2,013

Other Local Facility

Feb. 22-23

New Mexico Youth Soccer Association Classic FC Spring Cup

7,821

NM Soccer Tournament Complex

Feb. 22-23

New Mexico Youth Soccer Association EA Leagues-5

1,426

Mesa Del Sol Soccer Fields

Feb. 26-March 2

Moose International Arizona/New Mexico Lodge Association Meeting

300

Sheraton Albuquerque Airport Hotel

Feb. 27-March 1

Mountain West Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships

675

Albuquerque Convention Center

Bolded events are citywide events, defined as events that require a minimum of 400 room nights on peak, and will take place across the city. Although each of these events takes place in one part of town, the people who attend them will visit businesses throughout the city for shopping, dining and entertainment.

Let's come together to make their stay memorable, showcasing the best of Albuquerque’s hospitality. Your welcoming spirit can contribute to a positive experience for these visitors and foster a lasting impression of our community.