Industry Insider

VISIT ALBUQUERQUE RELEASES FY23 MARKETING PLAN

Earlier this month, Visit Albuquerque submitted its FY23 Marketing Plan to Mayor Tim Keller and members of the City administration along with the City Council. The plan outlines how Visit Albuquerque will implement sales and marketing campaigns to promote the city as a top destination for leisure travel, meetings and sports events. It describes our geographic and demographic targets, highlights our unique selling propositions and key messages, and explains how results will be tracked and evaluated. Initiatives described in the plan include paid advertising, social media, digital marketing, media relations, trade shows, sales missions and familiarization tours, as well as publication of an annual Visitors Guide and operation of two Visitor Information Centers. The Marketing Plan also includes a budget summary that illustrates how Visit Albuquerque will allocate the portion of its budget funded by public and Partner revenue in FY23. The budget and marketing programs were approved by Visit Albuquerque’s Board of Directors in May. The Albuquerque Tourism Marketing District will have its own budget and marketing plan, which are anticipated to be released in late summer or early fall. The two plans will complement and support one another. Contact news@visitabq.org for a log-in and password to view an online copy of the FY23 Marketing Plan.

Visit Albuquerque Attends the State of the City

The Visit Albuquerque team participated in the Community Expo during Mayor Tim Keller's State of the City on June 25 at the Albuquerque Rail Yards. Attendees had the opportunity to take a photo inside the Visit Albuquerque picture frame and sign up for the local ABQ365 eNewsletter. During his speech, Mayor Keller addressed the City's approach to reducing crime in Albuquerque, including the implementation of the Albuquerque Community Safety Department that is now responding to non-violent calls. He also highlighted the Albuquerque Rail Trail and other planned investments in Downtown. Several videos featuring City Councilors with updates on their districts including projects were also shared along with videos from City Department Directors with updates on key priorities.

Visit Albuquerque Sales Team Attends Educational Summit

Visit Albuquerque’s Senior National Sales Manager Misty Jester recently traveled to New Orleans to attend the Military Reunion Networks 2022 Educational Summit. There she had the opportunity to network, including one-on-one meetings with planners for over 22 different military reunion associations. During a breakout session, she also had the pleasure of giving a presentation on destination site visits to the reunion planners.

Legislative Priorities for the Hospitality Industry During the 2023 Legislative Session

The New Mexico Hospitality Association wants your help in determining their priorities for the 2023 legislative session. Fill out this survey as soon as possible to identify the issues the hospitality and tourism industry is facing. Your input will help the NMHA better advocate for the industry when the State Legislature convenes for the 60-day session that begins January 17.

Mayor Signs City of Albuquerque Budget

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller signed the budget for the 2023 fiscal year, which begins July 1. The $1.4 billion budget includes more than $11.5 million for raises and retention at the Albuquerque Police Department, $18.8 million for affordable housing, $5 million for the Local Economic Development Act fund and $1.2 million for improvements, technology and staffing to improve the development process in the Planning Department. The budget estimates total lodgers’ tax revenue collections of $14.987 million and Hospitality Fee revenue collections of $2.997 million in FY23, both about 20% higher than the FY22 budget estimates.

Study Lists Downtown Albuquerque as “Emerging”

A new study conducted by the International Downtown Association found that downtown Albuquerque is an “emerging” Downtown area. Emerging downtowns are characterized by having a low proportion of citywide jobs and population and lower densities. However, emerging downtowns have the potential to grow. According to the study, downtown Albuquerque is relatively small, covering less than a square mile of land. Downtown Albuquerque has one of the lowest total populations in the study, but one of the highest ratio of jobs to residents. To read the full study, click here. 

National Forests Reopen After Extreme Fire Danger

After being closed for about a month due to the extreme fire danger, most of the national forests in New Mexico have reopened to visitors. The Lincoln, Santa Fe and Carson National Forests were completely closed, along with parts of the Cibola National Forest. Some areas in the Santa Fe and Carson National Forests affected by recent wildfires will remain closed. The Albuquerque bosque has remained open to visitors.

The All Together NM Fund is still open for those who want to assist with the ongoing recovery for those who have lost their homes this spring.

Visit Albuquerque Hosts Tourism Business Leader from Moldova

For four weeks this spring, Visit Albuquerque participated in the Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative and hosted Natalia Curnic, the owner of the only tourism business in Moldova. Over the course of four weeks, Natalia learned about Visit Albuquerque’s mission and operations, with the goal to enhance entrepreneurship and leadership skills and promote partnerships between business leaders in Europe and the United States. Global Ties Albuquerque helped bring about the partnership. Three other European business leaders were in Albuquerque participating in YTILI.

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 now. Get creative and think outside the box! Aside from coupons, some promotional ideas might include:

• A special Balloon Fiesta cocktail or menu item
• A tasting or featured menu 
• A weeknight event at your restaurant or attraction
• A dedicated tour
• 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.  

Tabitha Stallworth, Senior National Sales Manager

Visit Albuquerque’s Senior National Sales Manager Tabitha Stallworth recently celebrated her three-year work anniversary. She says after coming from the hotel side of hospitality, it has been great to learn the role destination marketing organizations play in the hospitality industry. “I now see myself as an extension of the individual hotel teams and I enjoy being one of the first people to know about the enhancements we are making to boost tourism in Albuquerque,” Stallworth said. “Using this information to share how we can enhance a group’s experience, as well as spark excitement for future leads, has been invaluable.”

Barbara Marcus, Director of Human Resources

Director of Human Resources Barbara Marcus recently celebrated 14 years at Visit Albuquerque. Her duties include employee relations, recruiting and hiring employees and professional development. She says the accomplishment she is most proud of has been hiring dedicated and loyal people who work hard to make a positive difference for Visit Albuquerque and the destination. “Working with Visit Albuquerque has given me the opportunity to continue to learn and grow within the HR field and bring that knowledge into the organization,” Marcus said. “Working in collaboration with other destination marketing organizations (DMOs), we have built a network of over 90 DMO HR professionals who share information and peer guidance, which has been invaluable as many of us are one-person departments.”

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.