Industry Insider

March 2025

News
Sales Updates
Hospitality Spotlight
Promote & Share
Resources

As we welcome the arrival of spring, Albuquerque is gearing up for a season filled with exciting events, warmer weather, and welcoming visitors eager to explore our city. It’s a time of renewed energy and opportunity and we encourage all of our local partners and hospitality colleagues to take advantage of the season.

We're thrilled to welcome several citywide events to Albuquerque this month and in the coming weeks. Right now, the Association of Collegiate Conference & Event Directors-International (ACCED-I) is meeting Downtown with 400 attendees experiencing all that Albuquerque has to offer. In the next several weeks, we welcome the National Association of College & University Food Services (NACUFS), the American Society for Health Care Human Resources Administration (ASHHRA) and the Association of Children's Museums Interactivity Conference to the city as well. These citywide events make a powerful impact on our economy and our industry, and we are excited to enter into a season full of opportunity.

March is also Women’s History Month, a moment to celebrate the inspiring women who have shaped our community and contributed to making Albuquerque the dynamic destination it is today. We honor their achievements and the vital role women continue to play in our city’s growth and success.

In this issue of Industry Insider, you’ll find updates on recent hospitality spotlights, a recap of our latest familiarization tour focused on small meetings, upcoming events and more.

Thank you for being a valued Visit Albuquerque Partner!

News

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 to be the best ambassadors for Albuquerque they can possibly be. Fill out this form to nominate someone for recognition where you’ll be asked to briefly describe why this individual is exceptional.

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.

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!

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

April 16, 2025
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Viva Vino NM Wine Studio in Plaza Don Luis
301 Romero St. NW, Suite 209, 87104

May 14, 2025
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Bike In Coffee
949 Montoya St., 87104

Mark Your Calendars for the Next NMTD Grant Cycle

The New Mexico Tourism Department has announced several grant opportunities that will be opening soon to support projects that contribute to a cleaner, more vibrant and more sustainable tourism industry in our state.

Clean and Beautiful Grant Program: Funding is available for municipalities, counties, Tribal Governments and other government units to support litter eradication, waste reduction and community beautification initiatives. Apply by April 4, 2025, at 5 p.m. Learn more about Clean and Beautiful grants.
Tourism Event Growth & Sustainability (TEGS) Grant Program: This program provides technical assistance, marketing and sponsorship to help qualified tourism events expand and thrive. Apply by April 17, 2025, at 5 p.m. Learn more about TEGS.
Destination Forward Grant Program: Designed to support tourism infrastructure projects, this grant helps communities enhance their offerings and attract more visitors. Apply by April 8, 2025, at 5 p.m. Learn more about Destination Forward grants.

Sales Updates

Smart Meetings Familiarization Tour Showcases Albuquerque’s Unique Offerings

Earlier this month, Visit Albuquerque had the opportunity to showcase the city as a premier meeting and event destination to a group of qualified meeting planners.

Following a Smart Meetings event in Santa Fe, where Senior National Sales Manager Misty Jester met with over 25 qualified planners from across the country, 12 planners traveled to Albuquerque for an immersive Albuquerque experience. This comprehensive familiarization (FAM) tour allowed them to explore the city’s unique venues and one-of-a-kind experiences, helping them envision Albuquerque as the ideal destination for future conferences and events.

The tour featured everything from wine tasting and chef-curated dinners highlighting Albuquerque’s food scene to a hot air balloon ride. Throughout the tour, planners visited key meeting spaces in the Downtown, Old Town and Uptown areas, gaining insights into the city's diverse accommodations and facilities. Stops along historic Route 66, museum visits, and only-in-Albuquerque dining experiences added local flavor to their itinerary.

This immersive experience allowed planners to see firsthand why Albuquerque stands out as a dynamic, welcoming and unforgettable destination for meetings and conventions. We look forward to seeing the connections made during this tour turn into future events in our city!

New Convention Welcome Center Enhances Attendee Experience

Visit Albuquerque is excited to introduce a new Convention Welcome Center, conveniently located Downtown across from the Albuquerque Convention Center. The new concept was unveiled March 23-25 during the ACCED-I Conference. Designed to enhance the visitor experience, this location provides convention attendees with local guidance, recommendations and insider tips to help them make the most of their time in the city.

Staffed by knowledgeable Visit Albuquerque team members and volunteers, the Convention Welcome Center offers visitor information, a fun photo opportunity and a welcoming, engaging space to connect with everything Albuquerque has to offer. Whether attendees are looking for must-visit attractions, dining suggestions or ways to explore the city between meetings, this new resource will ensure they experience the very best of Albuquerque.

Upcoming Meetings and Sports Events

In April 2025, almost 21,500 people will participate in meetings and sports events booked and supported by Visit Albuquerque. These events will generate an estimated $6.7 million in direct spend. Some of the noteworthy events include:

Dates	Group Name	Est. Attendance	Meeting Location
April 2-5	Postpartum Support International Trainings	100	Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown
April 3-5	Society for the Study of Psychiatry and Culture	275	Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown
April 4-9	American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration Annual Meeting	600	Albuquerque Convention Center
April 4-5	New Mexico Activities Association State Powerlifting Championships	1,848	Local Facility
April 4-5	New Mexico Activities Association State Choir Competition	3,960	Local High Schools
April 5-6	New Mexico Youth Soccer Association ECNL-1	1,426	Mesa Del Sol Soccer Fields
April 6-8	World of Pickleball Tournament - Albuquerque	200	Manzano Mesa
April 7-10	University of Kentucky Research Analytics Summit	200	Hotel Albuquerque
April 10-13	Showbiz National Talent	100	Albuquerque Convention Center
April 10-12	New Mexico Activities Association State Esports Championships	330	Local High Schools
April 11-12	New Mexico Activities Association State Concert Band Competition	5,610	Local High Schools
April 12-13	United States Specialty Sports Association Spring Invitational	2,772	Jennifer Riordan Spark Kindness Sports Complex
April 12-13	New Mexico Youth Soccer Association DPL-1	713	Mesa Del Sol Soccer Fields
April 19	New Mexico Youth Soccer Association ECNL-2	713	Mesa Del Sol Soccer Fields
March 30	New Mexico Youth Soccer Association Spring ODP/YOP Training-4	660	NM Soccer Tournament Complex
April 22-25	Western Regional Users Group Spring Conference	100	The Clyde Hotel
April 23-26	Museum of Southwestern Biology Southwestern Association of Naturalists	200	Embassy Suites by Hilton Albuquerque
April 26-May 3	The Association of Computational Linguistics Spring Meeting	1,500	Albuquerque Convention Center

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.

Hospitality Spotlight

Jessica Muñoz, Duran Central Pharmacy

Great hospitality goes beyond service—it’s about creating a welcoming experience for every guest. This month, we recognize Jessica Muñoz, Restaurant Lead at Duran Central Pharmacy, for her exceptional leadership and dedication.

Jessica sets the tone for both staff and guests with her kindness and professionalism. Often the first and last point of contact, she handles busy rushes and long wait times with grace, ensuring every customer feels valued. She also leads by example, coaching her team to provide the same level of hospitality.

Her quick thinking was especially evident during the holiday season when she seamlessly managed a last-minute catering order, coordinating with the kitchen to accommodate the request beyond standard procedures. Thanks to her dedication, the customer left delighted.

We celebrate Jessica for her 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!