Industry Insider

June 2025

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Hospitality Spotlight
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As Visit Albuquerque wraps up its fiscal year, we are proud to reflect on the progress we’ve made during the past 12 months. From unveiling the forward-thinking Destination Master Plan to kicking off dedicated marketing campaigns in celebration of the Route 66 Centennial, our team has been hard at work to elevate and promote Albuquerque. None of this would have been possible without the support of our Partners. Thank you for your continued commitment and collaboration.

As summer gets underway, don’t forget to find exciting events throughout the city on the ABQ365 events calendar, and be sure to submit your own events to be included. This month, we also celebrate Pride Month in Albuquerque. Our city’s vibrant and diverse population makes it one of the most welcoming destinations in the Southwest, which we highlight and share throughout the year.

This issue of Industry Insider includes a call for Board nominations and coupons for Balloon Fiesta.

Thank you for being a valued Visit Albuquerque Partner!

News

Visit Albuquerque Board Nominations are Open

As a Partner of Visit Albuquerque, you are encouraged to actively determine the Board leadership of this organization by participating in the annual selection of nominees for our Board of Directors. At our Annual Membership Meeting in September 2025, we will elect a slate of nominees for the fiscal year 2026.

We encourage you to participate in the process by identifying individuals, including yourself, whom you recommend being considered as Board nominees. Only individuals employed by Visit Albuquerque Partners in good standing are eligible to serve on the Board.

There are five open seats for the FY26 Board from the following industry categories:

Hospitality/Lodging with 15,000 feet of meeting space – one seat open
Hospitality/Non-Lodging – three seats open
Accommodations, Short-Term Rental Representative - one seat open

One of the three Hospitality/Non-Lodging seats is held by an incumbent who qualifies for a second term.

Qualifications and Expectations for Board Directors:

All nominees must be employed by a business or organization that is a Visit Albuquerque Partner in good standing. In addition, nominees must be:

Passionate about Albuquerque as a destination;
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 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.) and one annual all-day Board retreat;
Willing to work hard to provide the best possible leadership in the hospitality industry.

View the details of the nominations process and submit your nominations. Board nominations close June 30.

PACK THE PARK FOR “SPORTSCENTER” BROADCAST FROM ISOTOPES STADIUM

ESPN will broadcast its popular “SportsCenter” show live from Isotopes Park in Albuquerque on Wednesday, July 2, as part of its “50 States in 50 Days” tour. Gates will open at 11 a.m. and the game will begin at 12:05 p.m. with the ’Topes taking on the El Paso Chihuahuas. ESPN anchor Christine Williamson will go live from the ballpark throughout the game.

With the ESPN team broadcasting from a different state each day for 50 consecutive days this summer, the goal of the “SportsCenter” tour is to highlight sports traditions around the country and capture what it really means to be a sports fan in America.

It is an honor for Albuquerque to be chosen to represent the state of New Mexico and a great opportunity to gain national exposure for our city. To help ensure the stadium is full of fans for the ESPN broadcast, the Isotopes have put together a special “Pack the Park” offer of just $15 for box seats and $10 for reserved-level tickets. In addition, special Albuquerque touches will be featured throughout the game. Come out on July 2, cheer on the home team and help showcase Albuquerque on national television!

Visit Albuquerque Sponsors Isotopes Mascot

Visit Albuquerque is the new sponsor of Orbit, the Albuquerque Isotopes mascot. In March, Orbit was named the best minor league baseball mascot in America by readers of USA Today. As part of the sponsorship, Visit Albuquerque’s logo is displayed on Orbit’s jersey, and Visit Albuquerque ads run during the game on the scoreboard.

Photo Credit: Albuquerque Isotopes

Submit Your Coupon for Balloon Fiesta

Balloon Fiesta will be here before you know it, and we want to include your business in our promotional efforts. Visit Albuquerque is publishing our annual City Guide that includes coupons, a full calendar of events and helpful information about things to do and see in Albuquerque. The special booklet is distributed to more than 25,000 visitors during Balloon Fiesta. Including a coupon in our City Guide is a great way to introduce your business to new visitors and drive increased business during the Balloon Fiesta season.

Submit your coupon here! In order to be included in the booklet, please fill out the form below no later than July 23, 2025. There is no charge to include your coupon, but you must be a Visit Albuquerque Partner! If you have any questions, please contact marketing@visitabq.org or 505-222-4314.

Ads in the City Guide are also available for purchase. Contact Alisha Zierden at Zierden@VisitABQ.org to purchase your ad. Sales close July 22, 2025.

Visit Albuquerque Attends IPW 2025

Visit Albuquerque’s President & CEO Tania Armenta, Director of Communications & Public Relations Brenna Moore, Director of Marketing Rachel Cromer Howard and National Sales Manager Nikki Baca attended the U.S. Travel Association’s IPW 2025, held June 14-18 in Chicago. This year’s event featured a brand-new, cohesively designed booth thanks to investment from the New Mexico Tourism Department, and the state’s presence included representation from NMTD, TOURISM Santa Fe, Visit Las Cruces, and partners from Rainbow Ryders Hot Air Balloon Ride Co., the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway, Heritage Inspirations, Visit Gallup and more. During the three-day tradeshow, Visit Albuquerque met with over 60 media members and travel buyers representing markets across the world. New Mexico’s level of participation at this year’s event marks the elevated commitment to the travel trade market for Albuquerque and the state, particularly ahead of the Route 66 centennial in 2026.

Albuquerque to Host 2026 PRSA Travel and Tourism Conference

Albuquerque will host the 2026 Public Relations Society of America’s Travel and Tourism Conference June 7-10, 2026. This event will bring hundreds of top-tier public relations professionals and travel media to the city. Albuquerque was announced as the 2026 host city at this year’s conference in Tampa Bay, Florida, where Albuquerque’s former poet laureate Hakim Bellamy recited his “Love Letter to Albuquerque” poem and attendees sampled New Mexican cuisine and posed for photos with Route 66 and hot air balloon-themed props.

Hakim Bellamy performs at the 2025 PRSA Travel and Tourism Conference.

Nominate an Exceptional Hospitality Worker to be Recognized

Visit Albuquerque is spotlighting local hospitality workers who have provided exceptional customer service. We are looking for hospitality workers who have gone above and beyond in the industry and who go to great lengths to be the best ambassadors for Albuquerque. Fill out this form to nominate someone for recognition. You’ll be asked to briefly describe why the individual is exceptional. Help celebrate hospitality excellence!

Network at a Partner Pop-In Event

Connect with fellow Visit Albuquerque Partners at the Partner Pop-In. This new event series offers a more personalized networking opportunity, paired with an activity at a local Partner organization. This month’s Partner Pop-In will take place:

June 25 at 5 p.m.
Creativity Warehouse
1950 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, 87112

Tickets cost $25, and include a paint your own pottery experience. Register in advance to attend.

Attend an ACE Class to Improve 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. Graduates will receive a commemorative lapel pin and a certificate recognizing their completion of the program.

The cost is $25 per person for Partner businesses and $40 per person for non-Partners. Snacks 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.

Don’t miss your chance to attend an upcoming class:

July 23, 2025
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Albuquerque Museum
2000 Mountain Rd. NW, 87104

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 experience pass is more than $500!

Seating is limited, so register your employees now!

Apply for a Party Block Grant

The Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency launched a new grant program called Party Block. Apply to receive $500 to support community-led events that activate the streets of Albuquerque. The grants are open to businesses, residents and neighborhood associations. Applicants must submit for a grant 60 days prior to the event. Applications are open until funds run out. Learn more and apply for a Party Block grant.

Upcoming Meetings and Sports Events

In July 2025, more than 8,700 people will participate in or attend meetings and sports events booked and supported by Visit Albuquerque. These events will generate an estimated $3.5 million in direct spend. Some of the noteworthy events include:

Dates	Group Name	Est. Attendance	Meeting Location
July 1	Sun Country Golf House Isleta Junior Event	165	Local Facility
July 9	Sun Country Golf House Los Altos Junior Event	264	Local Facility
July 10-13	Albuquerque Baseball Academy Five Tool Southwest Challenge	1,584	Jennifer Riordan Spark Kindness Sports Complex
July 11-13	Sun Country Golf House Match Play Championship	150	Local Facility
July 14-20	Japanese American Citizens League Convention	350	Hotel Albuquerque
July 16-20	USA Archery JOAD Target Nationals and JOAD U.S. Open	2,805	Balloon Fiesta Park
July 18-19	New Mexico Activities Association Interscholastic Athletics/Activities State Conference	1,400	Albuquerque Convention Center
July 19-20	New Mexico Games Powerlifting	125	Local Facility
July 19-21	Sun Country Golf House NM/WT Women’s Amateur Championship	150	Local Facility
July 20	New Mexico Games High School Volleyball	825	Local High Schools
July 23-24	Sun Country Golf House Mini Masters	132	UNM Championship Golf Course
July 28	Sun Country Golf House Isleta Pro-Scratch	120	Local Facility

Bolded events are citywide events, defined as events that require a minimum of 400 room nights on peak, and will take place across the city. Although each of these events takes place in one part of town, the people who attend them will visit businesses throughout the city for shopping, dining and entertainment.

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.

Nominate a New Mexico True Hero

Nominate a New Mexican who has gone above and beyond for their community for the New Mexico Magazine True Heroes Awards. Ten winners will be honored for their service that occurred between July 2024 and June 2025. Learn more about the True Heroes Awards and nominate someone by June 30.

Hospitality Spotlight

Wesley Haydon, El Verde Inn

Great hospitality goes beyond service — it’s about creating a welcoming experience for every guest. This month, we recognize Wesley Haydon, the Assistant General Manager at El Verde Inn, for his exceptional leadership and dedication.

According to his colleague Liz Sanchez, Wesley manages the property on the weekends, and El Verde always gets an influx of positive reviews while he’s working. Guests even mention him by name to give him a shout-out. During a recent wedding El Verde hosted, Wesley went above and beyond to help out the party and proved to be a reliable contact to manage any issues.

We celebrate Wesley Haydon for his outstanding contributions to Albuquerque’s hospitality industry! Know someone who deserves a spotlight? Fill out this form to let us know. We’d love to feature them in an upcoming Hospitality Spotlight!