Industry Insider

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! 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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/

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.