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HELLO, VISIT ALBUQUERQUE PARTNERS

Hello Visit Albuquerque Partners,

Despite the ongoing pandemic and countless obstacles presented to our industry this year, Visit Albuquerque is committed to assisting our community in every way we can. To that end, we are encouraging our community to support local businesses, helping to promote the New Mexico Safe Promise to ensure the safety of all New Mexicans, and working to uplift the positive stories that are coming out of this unprecedented situation. 

As you’ll read in this issue of the Industry Insider, we are continuing to create relevant training materials for you and all Albuquerque businesses; continuing to promote Albuquerque in safe, effective, virtual ways; and finding ways to effectively and quickly share your business information to our audience. 

We know that our industry is being hit disproportionately hard during this time, and we are looking forward to a time when we can all travel safely once again. 

Thank you for being a Visit Albuquerque Partner.
 

Tania Armenta 
President & CEO
Visit Albuquerque
 

News

New On-Demand Training Available: How to Generate Free Publicity for Your Business or Organization 

Promoting your business to new customers and guests has never been more important, but what if you don’t have marketing expertise on staff? To help, Visit Albuquerque has put together a series of training workshops for our Partners during this uncertain time. 

These pre-recorded, on-demand workshops are made for local marketers and business owners who know they need to make adjustments to their marketing and communications strategies, as well as anyone seeking opportunities to generate more brand awareness and business fluidity during these trying times. 

We’ve just released a new workshop in this series, “How to Generate Free Publicity for Your Business or Organization,” with Visit Albuquerque’s PR and Communication Manager, Brenna Moore. 

The workshop is geared toward local business owners and area marketers looking to gain media coverage for their business on both local and national levels. Key takeaways include learning more about free, or earned, media and what role it plays in today’s environment; exploring how to build a basic public relations strategy from scratch; and discovering free and simple tactics you can implement immediately to generate media coverage for your business.

Watch the newest training workshop now

We’ve also hosted a two-part series on digital marketing, focusing on general strategies and examples and also more in-depth tactical recommendations and instruction. 

You can find links to register and watch all of the on-demand training workshops, as well as other training and educational opportunities, at VisitABQ.org/training.  

All of our on-demand workshops are free! 

 

Generate Free Publicity Training

Visit Albuquerque’s Virtual Information Center 

To help future travelers plan their vacations to Albuquerque, we’ve added a Virtual Information Center to our website that includes online resources for travel inspiration and information. Visitors can browse through our Visitors Guide, learn about local neighborhoods, virtually explore the city and even solve fun puzzles. Check out and share the Albuquerque Virtual Information Center at VisitABQ.org/virtual-vic

 

Albuquerque Civic Plaza Downtown

Keeping Albuquerque Present in the Tourism Industry: Visit ABQ Attends Virtual Conferences & Tradeshows 

The world is operating differently right now, but the team at Visit Albuquerque has been busy working to keep our destination top of mind for future travel. Although the tradeshows and educational conferences we attend may look a little different this year, we are still there, promoting and sharing our beautiful city and learning how to navigate the new and ever-changing landscape that is the current tourism industry. 

Recently, Visit ABQ’s Senior National Sales Manager, Clarissa Baca, attended the online Women in Leadership Meetings & Incentives event. “While the forum provided the opportunity to discuss new business in a series of one-on-one sales appointments, the primary focus was to develop new relationships with planners and to share stories of how we are dealing with current business on the books and how we are moving forward as destinations, planners and suppliers,” Clarissa said. 
 
Clarissa also attended the Virtual Meetings Series H3 Hospitality Hour - Southeast Region. In a sign of the times, to enter the platform Clarissa had to first create an avatar, much like the Sims Video Games. According to Clarissa, this virtual conference was interactive, hands-on and fun. It also gave each attendee an opportunity to be a part of large group discussions, small groups, or one on one. 

Multiple staff members attended Destinations International’s 2020 Virtual Convention, an educational conference held for destination marketers. The in-depth, online event included education on topics ranging from diversity and inclusion to digital strategies and marketing in the changing economic climate. 

 

HMT Route 66

Albuquerque’s Youngest Tourism Ambassador: An Interview with 10-Year Old Arti Shaterian

Visit Albuquerque has declared 10-year-old Arti Shaterian a Junior Tourism Ambassador after learning that his love for the city was the topic of a recent essay he wrote for school. (His essay titled “Why You Should Go to Albuquerque!” was included in an article by Joline Gutierrez Krueger in the July 9 print edition of the Albuquerque Journal, which can also be found online.)

Arti’s essay details all the things he loves about Albuquerque, with particular mentions of Blake's Lotaburger, Hinkle Family Fun Center and Cliff’s Amusement Park, and the wide array of outdoor adventures he enjoys when he visits his grandmother, who lives in the city. “Nice views? SIGN ME UP! (and hiking too), yes, yes, and YES! You can never go wrong with hiking in Albuquerque… And the views, well that’s a whole different story!” wrote Arti. 

Arti’s enthusiasm did not go unnoticed by Visit Albuquerque, the organization that promotes the city for tourism, meetings and sports events. The organization reached out to his parents to schedule an interview. When asked why he chose Albuquerque as the subject of his essay, he said, “I’ve just been there a lot of times, and every time I’ve been there, I’ve just had so much fun.” 

During the interview Arti was also awarded an official Visit Albuquerque proclamation as Junior Tourism Ambassador, a gift card to Blake’s Lotaburger, passes to the ABQ BioPark and Sandia Peak Tramway and an Albuquerque Isotopes T-shirt. In addition, Mayor Tim Keller issued a certificate of appreciation to Arti on behalf of the City of Albuquerque. A video of the interview was also shared on Visit Albuquerque’s social media channels. 

Watch the full interview here

 

VABQ Junior Tourism Ambassador Interview Thumbnail

Call for Nominations: New Mexico Magazine looks to recognize local heroes

New Mexico Magazine would like to honor the exceptional individuals who have distinguished themselves during the past 12 months by going above and beyond to serve our communities in the areas of healthcare, education, volunteerism, philanthropy, hospitality, arts, culture, and more.

The magazine will pay tribute to these True Heroes by showcasing 10 individuals in a virtual awards ceremony in early November. They will also be featured in the December issue of New Mexico Magazine.

Share your story about someone who has made a difference in your community by completing this nomination form. Nominations close August 7, 2020. 

Nominate a True Hero today

 

Apothecary Lounge Skyline Downtown

Visit ABQ Working with Partners to Develop Staycation Packages

Visit Albuquerque is gauging New Mexico residents’ interest in three staycation options, each designed to minimize contact and maximize fun. The packages focus on “only in Albuquerque” experiences that immerse visitors in our city’s distinctive offerings. They also emphasize physically distanced activities that keep people safe while enjoying some of the best that the city has to offer.
 
Each package will combine lodging, dining and activities. Currently, the packages include:
 

  • Stay Close, Go Far: An overnight stay with a hot air balloon ride and a picnic-style meal.
  • Family Field Trip: A family-friendly excursion with an overnight hotel stay, scavenger hunt adventure and tickets to the ABQ BioPark.
  • Dinner and Drinks Night Out: A date night package with a gourmet meal delivered to your hotel room door.

  
New Mexicans are invited to learn more about each staycation option at http://www.VisitABQ.org/Staycations, where they can also sign up to receive an alert when the packages go live.
 
Visit Albuquerque will issue RFPs to its Partners to participate in the staycation packages. Our goal is to encourage locals to support the hospitality industry in Albuquerque, and also offer residents a reason to get out. We are excited to work with our Partners to offer a fun escape that’s still close to home.

 

Family Bike Ride with Masks

Partner Opportunities 

 

Update Your Business Listing with Reopening Information 

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.

  1. You'll receive a verification email with a link to complete the form.
  2. Complete the relevant fields to reflect your current business operations.
  3. By providing this information, you’ll help ensure that your business shows up in search results when people are looking for specific types of amenities. You can continue to use this same form to provide updates as your business operations change over time.

If you have any questions, please contact us at listings@visitabq.org.           

Complete the Form Now 

Call for Board Nominations

Partners are encouraged to nominate candidates to serve on Visit Albuquerque’s 2020-2021 Board of Directors. The slate of nominees will be elected at our Annual Membership Meeting on September 29, 2020.  

There are four open seats for the FY21 Board in the following industry categories: 

  • Hospitality/Lodging - one seat
  • Hospitality/Non-Lodging - one seat
  • General Business – two seats

Individuals nominated for a Board position should meet the following qualifications and expectations:

  • Business or organization must be a Visit Albuquerque Partner in good standing
  • Be passionate about Albuquerque as a destination
  • Be the primary decision maker of their company
  • Willing to serve on a high-functioning, working Board
  • Available for committee assignments, as needed
  • Able to attend Visit Albuquerque events
  • Available on the fourth Tuesday of every other month for a Board meeting (11:30 am – 1:30 pm) and one annual all-day Board retreat
  • Desire to work hard toward best possible leadership in the hospitality industry

Click here for more details about the nominations process, and submit nominations here. Self-nominations are accepted.

Attention Hotels: Update Your Property’s TripAdvisor Listing with your Current Opening Information 

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

Send Us Your COVID-Safe Images

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

Submit Your Virtual and COVID-Safe Events to the ABQ365 Events Calendar 

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.

Submit Your Current Coupons 

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. 

Tell Us What’s New

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

 

Promote & Share 

 

Partner Kudos 

 

Congratulations to Partners who have completed the NM Safe Certified program

Of approximately 85 businesses in Albuquerque that have completed the NM Safe Certification, nearly half are Visit Albuquerque Partners. Congratulations to all of our Partners that have earned certification and are eligible to display the NM Safe Certified seal. 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. 

Featured Partners 

 
EXHIB-IT! B2B Business & Consumer Virtual Expo: August 17-18, 2020

Attend the business-to-business event of the year! The Virtual Expo will feature ProTalks educational presentations, an Expo hall with more than 83 vendors, opportunities for networking, and much more.

Monday, 8/17
1-3:45 PM - ProTalk Speakers
4-6 PM - Speed Networking Sponsors/Exhibitors ONLY
 
Tuesday, 8/18
1-6 PM - Sponsor and Exhibitor Booths during Expo Hours
Award Ceremony for Best Local Brand and Door Prize Drawings

Link: Learn more and register at https://b2bexponm.com/register/

 

Exhib-it virtual event

DOABQ

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.

 

DoABQ Logo