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HELLO, VISIT ALBUQUERQUE PARTNERS,
With the new fiscal year underway, Visit Albuquerque is excited to welcome another year of promoting Albuquerque. July brought the implementation of the Albuquerque Tourism Marketing District and collection of the 2% Tourism Marketing Benefit Fee. The funds raised through the ATMD will have a transformative impact on our ability to market Albuquerque as a destination for leisure travel, meetings and sporting events. We welcome the lodging properties that are new Visit Albuquerque Partners as a result of the establishment of the ATMD, and we thank our long-time lodging Partners for their continued support.
This issue of Industry Insider includes details on Visit Albuquerque's annual meeting, the Albuquerque Downtown Forward plan and the outlook for a rebound in summer travel.
Although we’re in the middle of summer, Visit Albuquerque is already making preparations to help promote your business to visitors for this year’s Balloon Fiesta! We hope you will submit a FREE coupon for our special City Guide to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the world-renowned event. Please also let us know of any Balloon Fiesta specials you are running.
Thank you for being a Visit Albuquerque Partner.
Tania Armenta
President & CEO
Visit Albuquerque
Visit Albuquerque Sets Date for Annual Meeting
Visit Albuquerque will hold its annual meeting September 13, 2022 from 4-7 p.m. at the Albuquerque Convention Center. All partners are welcome to attend this free event to recognize the travel and tourism industry in Albuquerque and celebrate the opportunities for a landmark year ahead. Learn more about the implementation of the Albuquerque Tourism Marketing District, hear an overview of our industry's performance during the past year, receive updates on exciting new marketing initiatives and network with Board members, fellow Partners and Visit Albuquerque staff. Registration will open soon.
The Albuquerque Tourism Marketing District Launches
The Albuquerque Tourism Marketing District (ATMD) launched July 1, increasing the amount of money available to promote the city as a travel destination. The additional 2% assessment at guest check-out at about 150 lodging properties within the district will go toward marketing Albuquerque as a top destination for leisure travelers, sporting events, meetings and conventions.
The ATMD assessment will supplement funds provided by the 5% lodgers’ tax and the 1% hospitality fee. Even with the additional 2% assessment, Albuquerque remains below the average national average for guest check-out fees. The revenue raised will be used to expand marketing, enhance visitor services and develop destination assets.
Albuquerque City Councilors unanimously approved the establishment of the ATMD in March and ratified collection of the assessment fee in May. Councilors Isaac Benton and Brook Bassan sponsored the bill.
The ATMD will bring about tremendous opportunities for the future awareness and performance of Albuquerque as a travel destination.
Visit Albuquerque Assists with 10 Meetings and Conventions in June
The Visit Albuquerque sales team secured 10 meetings and events for the city during the month of June. These group events brought in more than 4,500 attendees and generated almost 6,900 room nights. The Albuquerque Sports Commission supported five sporting events in the city during June. Six more meetings and conventions and 10 additional sporting events are scheduled for July. Groups that visited in June include:
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America's Service Commissions
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Lutheran Women's Missionary League
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American Holistic Nurses Association
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National Organization of Rheumatology Managers
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New Mexico Dental Association
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New Mexico Counties
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National Education Association New Mexico
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Cumberland Presbyterian Church
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IFCA International
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CityMatCH
Visit Albuquerque Launches Campaign to Target Birders
Birdwatchers are enthusiastic travelers, eager to visit destinations where they can see distinctive species of birds. Thanks to a natural setting that spans from a river valley to a pine forest, the Albuquerque region is one of the best in the nation for birders to see several dozen different types of birds in just one visit. In fact, the area is home to hundreds of native and migrating species, ranging from songbirds to birds of prey.
In August, Visit Albuquerque will launch a niche advertising campaign targeted at U.S. birders to showcase the diversity of species found here and spotlight some of the best birding spots in the local area. The digital ads will appear on the All About Birds website and link to birding information on Visit Albuquerque’s website that encourages people to learn more about planning a birdwatching trip to our city.
Operated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology at Cornell University, All About Birds is the premier educational resource for birders, with more than 61 million page views annually. This niche audience is affluent and adventurous, a perfect fit not only for Albuquerque’s birding opportunities but also for the city’s other recreational, culinary, historical and cultural offerings.
Visit Albuquerque Attends Leadership Conference
Visit Albuquerque participated for the first time in five years in the Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives’ ACCESSE22 Leadership Conference in Richmond, Virginia, July 19-22, 2022. The leadership conference was a three-day conference that combined leadership development, peer-to-peer connections and expertise in managing science, technology, engineering and math societies. Approximately 145 organizations were represented as association staff, association management or third-party meeting planners at this year’s conference.
Draft of Downtown Forward Plan Released
The City of Albuquerque wants your input on the recently released draft of the “Downtown Forward” plan. The Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency conducted research during the pandemic to determine how the City can help elevate Downtown and create a vibrant, successful community. Research pointed to seven strategies to improve Downtown, including making Downtown safe and building more housing. To view a draft of the plan and submit your feedback, click here.
Airports Were Packed on July 4th Weekend
U.S. airports had more than 11 million passengers over the July 4th weekend Thursday through Monday, according to numbers from the Transportation Security Administration. A pandemic-record 2.49 million passengers took to the skies on July 1. Passengers have had to deal with flight delays and cancellations amid a labor shortage among airlines. About 2,200 flights were canceled and 25,000 were delayed over the holiday weekend, according to FlightAware. The Albuquerque Sunport data for this time period has not been released yet.
Ace 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.
Don’t miss your chance to attend an upcoming class:
Wednesday, July 27, 2022
Holiday Inn & Suites
5050 Jefferson St. NE, Albuquerque
Thursday, August 18, 2022
¡Explora!
1701 Mountain Rd. NW, Albuquerque
Each class begins promptly at 9 a.m. and ends at 12:30 p.m. The cost is $25 per person for Partner businesses and $40 per person for non-Partners. A continental breakfast 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 pass is more than $500!
Seating for upcoming classes is limited, so register your employees now!
MARKETING TIPS AND TRICKS
Optimize Your Digital Footprint to Attract More Visitors
It’s always a good time to think about updating your business information online. Destination Travel Network has a list of ways to improve your digital presence and bring customers through your doors.
Top Marketing Metrics to Watch
With a rush of summer travelers, now is the perfect time to reassess your digital marketing metrics. Destination Travel Network has some of the top metrics hospitality and tourism businesses should be keeping an eye on to help their marketing strategy.
Last Chance to Promote Your Business to Balloon Fiesta Visitors
Balloon Fiesta is fast approaching, and we want to help bring customers to your business. For the 50th anniversary of the event, Visit Albuquerque is offering three ways to promote your business. You can submit a coupon to our City Guide, which will be distributed to more than 20,000 visitors during Balloon Fiesta. The guide will include a full calendar of events and helpful information about things to do in Albuquerque.
Submit your coupon today to be included in the City Guide at no charge. Fill out this form no later than July 27, 2022. If you have any questions please contact marketing@visitabq.org or 505-222-4314.
You also can purchase a half-page or full-page ad in the City Guide to boost your business even more during Balloon Fiesta. For more details on prices, take a look at the City Guide Rate Card. Premium positions have already sold out. To secure your place in the City Guide, contact Mary Brown at 505-222-4310 or brown@visitabq.org before Aug. 1.
In addition, you can share information on our website about Balloon Fiesta/Fall packages, deals, specials, tours, events and other promotions. Packages and deals created around an event or a season are a great way to encourage visitors to your business. And Balloon Fiesta and the surrounding fall events create a great opportunity to do just that.
We encourage you to start thinking about 50th Balloon Fiesta offerings too. Get creative and think outside the box! Aside from coupons, some promotional ideas might include:
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A special Balloon Fiesta cocktail or menu item
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A tasting or featured menu
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A weeknight event at your restaurant or attraction
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A dedicated tour
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Expanded service hours
Submit a package or a coupon to have your offer promoted on our webpage, which is highly ranked on search engines and receives an average of 140,000 unique visitors per month.
If you have an offering or special that is not a coupon or deal, email us at Marketing@VisitABQ.org.
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 highly visited and shared Specials & Coupons page. We also promote these specials and coupons during special events, meetings and conventions being hosted in Albuquerque.
Click here to submit your current coupons and specials.
Submit Your Events to the ABQ365 Events Calendar
Visit Albuquerque’s ABQ365 Events Calendar offers a great opportunity to promote your events! The one-stop, all-ABQ encompassing calendar features primarily arts, entertainment and culture-focused events, appealing to both locals and visitors.
Event listings offer a great opportunity for additional exposure and promotion, and can help keep your business top-of-mind – for free!
Tell Us What’s New
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.
Rachel Cromer Howard, Director of Marketing
Rachel Cromer Howard recently celebrated her fourth work anniversary at Visit Albuquerque. Rachel started as the Digital Marketing Manager and was promoted to the Director of Marketing, giving her the opportunity to grow as a leader and a marketer. “Throughout the years I’ve been able to learn about Albuquerque and how much our great city has to offer, learn and grow through experience and shared learning with other professionals, grow professionally and personally through working in tourism during a global pandemic, and have recently graduated with my MBA,” Rachel said. “Visit Albuquerque has a talented, strong and collaborative team that I am proud to be a part of. Everyone on the team shares a love for Albuquerque and a passion for engaging with our community in a positive way.”
ABQ in the News
Local
- Visit ABQ Shares Upcoming Summer Events for July - KRQE
- Tourism on the rebound in Albuquerque – at last - Albuquerque Journal
- Youth baseball tournament brings money to Albuquerque economy - KRQE
National
- Where To Eat, Drink, Sleep, And Explore in Albuquerque, New Mexico - UPROXX
- TravelAwaits’ Best of Travel Awards 2022: Winners - TravelAwaits
- At Indian Pueblo Kitchen, a Story Told in Feast Day Stew and Frybread - Epoch Times
- 14 Top Restaurants With A View, According To Our Readers - TravelAwaits
- America’s Best Hotels For Art - Fifty Grande
- The Top 9 Luxury Hotels Our Readers Love - TravelAwaits
Partner Kudos
Blake’s Lotaburger Celebrates 70th Birthday
Earlier this month, Blake’s Lotaburger celebrated its 70th year in business. Founder Blake Chanslor served up his first Lotaburger on July 9, 1952, launching a New Mexican staple. Congratulations!
Visit Albuquerque Partners Earn a Wine Spectator Restaurant Award
Five Visit Albuquerque Partners earned a 2022 Wine Spectator Restaurant Award. The awards are given to restaurants around the world who have an exceptional wine program. Congratulations to Campo at Los Poblanos, Fogo de Chão, Level 5 at Hotel Chaco, MÁS Tapas y Vino at Hotel Andaluz and Wendell’s Steak and Seafood at the Inn of the Mountain Gods.
Mariachi Spectacular de Albuquerque Celebrates 30 Years
Mariachi Spectacular de Albuquerque celebrated its 30th anniversary this month. Beginning in 1991 as a Mexican-style rodeo concert, the event has evolved into one of the premier mariachi festivals in the world. Congratulations!
Discovery Map of Albuquerque
Partnering with Visit Albuquerque to provide the Official Map of Albuquerque since 2016
Put your business on the map!
- Visit Albuquerque Partners get 10% off!
- Monthly payment option available.
- 300,000 printed maps distributed at over 350 locations year-round, including Visit Albuquerque offices, welcome centers, Albuquerque International Sunport, car rental offices, hotels, motels, and RV parks.
- 25,000+ digital viewers driving traffic to your website.
- Full-color ad design free of charge.
Reserve your space now! Call 505-750-0076 or email jeffstevens@discoverymap.com
Unbelievable Pass
Calling local breweries, 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@unbelievablepass.com for more information.
Thanks To Our New And Renewing Partners
Visit Albuquerque’s Partners help support our mission to market the city as a top-choice destination for leisure travel, meetings and sporting events. Our thanks to the following Partners that recently joined or renewed their partnership with Visit Albuquerque. We appreciate your commitment to making Albuquerque a great place to live and to visit!
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Enchanted Motorcycle Tours, LLC
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Fat Axe ABQ
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Gallery Hózhó at Hotel Chaco
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Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM)
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New Mexico Holocaust Museum and Gellert Center for Education
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Yummy's Mini Donuts & Ice Cream
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