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Please use our media library for downloadable images and usage rights.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!
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:
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.
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
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!
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:
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.
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!
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.
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