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Industry Insider

July 2024

Visit Albuquerque just wrapped up the fiscal year, and we’re energized and excited to enter a new fiscal year with new projects to attract leisure travelers, meetings and sports events to the city. Thank you to the local hotel industry for another successful year of the Albuquerque Tourism Marketing District. The additional resources have enabled Albuquerque to compete with premier destinations for the visitor economy.

This issue of Industry Insider includes a look at new advertising for Visit Albuquerque in Phoenix, a grant opportunity with the state and upcoming meetings and conventions around the city.

Thank you for being a Visit Albuquerque Partner!

News

NEW WINDOW WRAPS BEING INSTALLED AT PHOENIX AIRPORT

Visit Albuquerque has advertised at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport since October 2022, and we recently extended our contract there through June 2025. Next month, we will begin replacing artwork on four window wraps located along the moving walkways in the Terminal 4 concourses, which is where the gates for Southwest Airlines and American Airlines are located. One of the new designs highlights outdoor recreation and the other showcases Native American culture.Each is 6 feet tall and approximately 36 feet long.

An image of a window wrap that will be installed in Phoenix Sky Harbor

An image of a window wrap that will be installed in Phoenix Sky HarborPhoenix Sky Harbor is one of the busiest airports in the country and a hub between the West Coast and the rest of the country. Our ads there are made possible with additional marketing funds generated by overnight stays at lodging properties located in the Albuquerque Tourism Marketing District.

Albuquerque Hosts Over 900 Attendees for Project SEARCH Convention

Project SEARCH held its 2024 annual meeting July 15-19 at the Albuquerque Convention Center with over 900 attendees from across the United States and internationally. Visit Albuquerque supported several services for the group, including cultural performances and a local art market for the group at Civic Plaza. Project SEARCH was developed at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in 1996. The organization was created to secure competitive employment for people with disabilities. Since its inception, Project SEARCH has grown from a single program site at Cincinnati Children’s to a large and continuously expanding international network of sites, including local offerings through Albuquerque Public Schools, the University of New Mexico and the State of New Mexico. Project SEARCH’s mission is to provide education through the best practices and promote continuous improvement of its programs. Thank you to all of our industry partners that welcomed and serviced the group last week.

Attendees of Project SEARCH convention watch cultural performances on Civic Plaza.

Visit Albuquerque Sales Team Attends Conferences

Visit Albuquerque’s Senior National Sales Manager Tabitha Stallworth represented the destination at Cvent Connect in San Antonio, Texas, June 10-13. Tabitha hosted 29 appointments with SYNNEX, National Governors Association, Dairy Farmers of America and Neurocrine Biosciences Inc., to name a few. With over 5,000 in attendance, she had the opportunity to connect with planners while networking. She also shared some of the city's exciting plans for the upcoming Route 66 centennial.

Tabitha and two others pose in front of Visit ABQ's booth at Cvent Connect

Tabitha also attended the Professional Convention Managers Association’s education conference in Detroit, Michigan, June 23-24. Over 600 events industry professionals were in attendance. Tabitha had the opportunity to connect with industry peers and planners in progressive learning formatted educational sessions. Visit Albuquerque hosted two planners, one with Collaborative Family Healthcare Association and the other JDC Events. Tabitha also connected with existing clients, furthering a relationship with a HelmsBriscoe representative at the event that resulted in Visit Albuquerque securing a citywide site tour.

City of Albuquerque and Visit Albuquerque Host USA Archery JOAD Nationals

Visit Albuquerque's Sports Commission partnered with the City of Albuquerque to host the 2024 USA Archery Junior Olympic Archery Development (JOAD) Target Nationals and U.S. Open. The event commenced with an opening ceremony on July 17 and featured competitive rounds until the team finals on July 21. A total of 840 athletes from across the country participated, and this marked Albuquerque’s first USA Archery Outdoor Target Nationals event. The competition unfolded at Balloon Fiesta Park, where approximately 150 targets were set up, ranging from 30 meters to 70 meters.

 

A look at Balloon Fiesta Park for the USA Archery JOAD Nationals and US Open. A row of targets are set up in the distance.

Destination Forward Grant Awards for FY25

Four Albuquerque-based projects received funding from the New Mexico Tourism Department’s Destination Forward grant program. The New Mexico Steam Locomotive & Railroad Historical Society received $100,000 to conduct an economic impact study. The City of Albuquerque received $200,000 for immersive art exhibits, photo displays and an augmented reality experience that will be part of the city’s Route 66 Centennial celebration, plus $328,000 to design and produce a neon Route 66 sign on East Central. The Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum Foundation received $50,000 to make upgrades to the museum’s theater. More than $2.35 million was granted to 12 tourism infrastructure projects around the state.

New Mexico Tourism Department Names Deputy Cabinet Secretary

The New Mexico Tourism Department named Jennifer Saavedra as the Deputy Cabinet Secretary. She previously served as the General Counsel and Administrative Services Director for NMTD. Prior to her work in the tourism department, Saavedra worked at the Office of the Attorney General, the District Attorney’s Office and the Children, Youth and Families Department.

Apply For an Outdoor Equity Fund Grant

Applications are open for Outdoor Equity Fund grants. The OEF was created to ensure equitable outdoor access for youth. The grant supports transformative outdoor experiences that foster stewardship and respect for the state’s lands, water and cultural heritage. Awards range from $5,000 to $40,000. Applications are open now and close Aug. 31. Visit the Outdoor Recreation Division’s website to learn more about the grants and to apply.

 

 

Logo for the New Mexico Outdoor Equity Fund

Upcoming Meetings and Sports Events

In August 2024, approximately 1,850 people will participate in meetings and sports events booked and supported by Visit Albuquerque. These events will generate an estimated $755,100 in direct spend, and some of the noteworthy events include:

Dates

Group Name

Est. Attendance

Meeting Location

Aug. 1-3

Society of 1st Infantry Division Annual Reunion

450

The Clyde Hotel

Aug. 1-4

Equality New Mexico Statewide Summit

150

Ramada Plaza by Wyndham

Aug. 4-7

Civitan International Annual Convention

600

Embassy Suites by Hilton Albuquerque

Aug. 8-10

Turquoise Museum Turquoise United

400

Albuquerque Convention Center

Aug. 15-16

Colleges That Change Lives

250

Albuquerque Marriott Hotel

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.