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March 2026

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The spring season has arrived, and the warmer weather is bringing new opportunities and exciting events to the city. We’re eager to welcome visitors to Albuquerque, and we encourage all of you to take advantage of the season by offering special packages and promotions to attract customers and guests.

March is also Women’s History Month. We celebrate the inspiring women who have played a critical role in shaping the city’s growth and success to become the dynamic destination that it is today.

Thank you for being a valued Visit Albuquerque Partner!

News

Visit Albuquerque Attends MIC of Colorado

Vice President of Sales, Services & Sports Angie Jepsen and National Sales Manager Nikki Baca attended the Meetings Industry Council of Colorado Conference and Trade Show March 12-13 in Denver, Colorado. Esther Lovato represented the Albuquerque Convention Center and Dominic Baca and Minvera Jurado-Perea represented the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce at the conference. Visit Albuquerque hosted a happy hour in the booth after the show concluded for the day.

Inspirado Wins Award for Visit Albuquerque Commercial

Local video production company Inspirado received a gold Addy award from the New Mexico chapter of the Advertising Federation of America for their work on Visit Albuquerque’s 30-second TV commercial titled “The Soul of Route 66.” The New Mexico Addy awards recognize the most creative work in the state’s advertising industry. Visit Albuquerque wrote the script for the commercial and worked with Inspirado and our ad agency, McKee Wallwork, to bring the vision to life. The video spot is running on streaming TV platforms in target markets to promote Albuquerque as the best place to celebrate the Route 66 Centennial this year.

UPCOMING: VISIT ALBUQUERQUE TOURISM GRANT PROGRAM

The overarching goal of the Visit Albuquerque Tourism Grant program is to spark innovative ideas that contribute to Albuquerque’s vibrancy and build new, creative visitor and resident experiences that grow a more diverse and thriving tourism economy. To receive information when the 2026-2027 grant information has been posted, email Latka@VisitABQ.org. Applications will be accepted starting in April.

Surveys for New Mexico Tourism Businesses and Outdoor Recreation

The New Mexico Tourism Department is interested in learning more about the challenges tourism businesses in the state are facing. Take a five-minute survey to share your input.

Additionally, New Mexico State Parks is currently developing the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan to guide the future development and management of public outdoor recreation resources around the state. Take a survey to identify current and future needs and preferences surrounding outdoor recreation.

Apply for a New Mexico Tourism Department Grant

Applications for the New Mexico Tourism Department’s FY27 grants are closing soon! See the deadlines below for each grant program.

Tourism Event Growth & Sustainability Program
The Tourism Event Growth & Sustainability (TEGS) program provides technical assistance, marketing and sponsorship to qualified tourism events within New Mexico to support their growth and sustainability.

April 7 - Applications close at midnight

Destination Forward Program
The Destination Forward program supports the development and implementation of tourism infrastructure projects throughout New Mexico. It is a competitive grant that supports the long-term destination development and rejuvenation of community-based, sustainable tourism infrastructure projects across New Mexico.

April 14 - Applications close at midnight

Host an Event in a Downtown Outdoor Space

Downtown ABQ MainStreet is exploring ways to work with the City of Albuquerque to add energy to public outdoor spaces in the Downtown area. If you have an idea for an event that you and your organization would like to host in a Downtown outdoor space, fill out this form indicating your interest.

New Mexico Primary Election Voting Gets Overhaul

Voting in primary elections is changing this year in New Mexico. Starting in June 2026, New Mexico will have a semi-open primary. You no longer have to join a party to vote in primary elections. If you are registered as “Declined to State” or "No Party Affiliation," you can vote in the Democratic or the Republican primary. See this flyer with more information on the new primary rules.

Last Chance to Join Albuquerque Restaurant Week

Albuquerque Restaurant Week is happening in less than a month, and restaurants and hotels can participate! Restaurants will feature special prix fixe menus (fixed-price, multi-course meals) that allow diners to experience signature dishes while discovering new favorites. Albuquerque Restaurant Week is a great opportunity to attract new diners, showcase culinary creativity and gain exposure through the New Mexico Restaurant Association’s collaborative marketing efforts, including social media promotion, press outreach and local media partnership.

Restaurants can register a single location for $695 ($495 for NMRA members). Each additional location costs $495 ($295 for NMRA members). Hotels can offer special room rates for Albuquerque Restaurant Week visitors for $100.

Learn About the Route 66 Centennial with Revamped ACE Training

Visit Albuquerque’s Albuquerque Community Experience (ACE) training program is designed to brush up your employees’ customer service skills and strengthen their knowledge of the city. With the Route 66 Centennial underway this year, ACE training classes now have more content to help your employees be prepared to celebrate and answer questions about the centennial.

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! All ACE attendees from now through the end of 2026 will receive a free Route 66 Centennial branded T-shirt! Make sure your team is ready for visitors coming to Albuquerque to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Mother Road.

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

April 17, 2026
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Explora
1701 Mountain Rd. NW, 87104

The cost is $25 per person for Partner businesses and $40 per person for non-Partners. Take advantage of a special Route 66 Centennial discount and get three spots in an ACE training for $66. 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.

Refresh Your Knowledge of Partner Benefits at Partner Orientation

Refresh your knowledge about all the opportunities you have as a Visit Albuquerque Partner at Partner Orientation. Long-standing and new Partners are welcome to learn how to make the most of your benefits. The next Partner Orientation is:

May 20
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Visit Albuquerque offices
20 First Plaza, Suite 601, 87102

Find more Partner Orientation dates. RSVP in advance to attend.

KNOW SOMEONE WHO MADE A MOMENT MEMORABLE? NOMINATE AN EXCEPTIONAL HOSPITALITY WORKER

Visit Albuquerque is spotlighting local hospitality workers who have created memorable, meaningful experiences through exceptional service.

We’re looking for real stories of hospitality. Tell us about the moments when someone went the extra mile, turned a challenge into a positive experience or made a guest feel genuinely welcomed in Albuquerque. Whether it was a thoughtful gesture, a creative solution or a moment of kindness that stood out, we want to hear what they did and why it mattered.

When you nominate someone, you’ll be asked to share a brief story or example that shows how this individual made a difference. Specific details help us bring these moments to life and inspire others across our hospitality community.

Fill out this form to nominate someone for recognition. Help celebrate hospitality excellence!

Upcoming Meetings and Sports Events

In April 2026, almost 26,000 people will participate in or attend meetings and sports events booked and supported by Visit Albuquerque. These events will generate an estimated $6.73 million in direct spend. Some of the noteworthy events include:

Dates	Group Name	Est. Attendance	Meeting Location
April 9-11	Regional Dance American Southwest Festival	750	Albuquerque Convention Center
April 10-12	National Horseshoe Pitchers Association US Open Regional Championship	350	Mariposa Basin Park
April 10-11	New Mexico Activities Association State Powerlifting Championships	1,848	Local Facility
April 11-12	United States Specialty Sports Association Spring Invitational	2,772	Jennifer Riordan Spark Kindness Sports Complex
April 11-13	New Mexico Youth Soccer Association State Cup u15-19 - Round 1	2,851	Mesa Del Sol Soccer Fields
April 13-15	National Human Services Data Consortium Spring Conference	500	The Clyde Hotel
April 14-15	New Mexico Activities Association State Choir Competition	3,960	Local High Schools
April 17-18	New Mexico Activities Association JROTC State Championships	1,650	Local High Schools
April 17-18	New Mexico Activities Association State Concert Band Competition	5,610	Local High Schools
April 18-21	American Association of Anatomy	1,200	Albuquerque Convention Center
April 18-19	New Mexico Youth Soccer Association ECNL/DPL-1	1,426	Mesa Del Sol Soccer Fields
April 20-25	Overeaters Anonymous World Service Business Conference	220	Embassy Suites by Hilton Albuquerque
April 22-23	U.S. Postal Service AZ/NM Mid Year	200	Hotel Albuquerque
April 23-25	New Mexico Activities Association State Esports Championships	330	Other Local Facility
April 24-26	Professional Golfers Association of America NCCGA National Championship	324	Santa Ana Golf Course
April 25-26	New Mexico Youth Soccer Association ECNL/DPL-2	1,426	Mesa Del Sol Soccer Fields
April 27-30	National Academic Advising Association Region 7 & 10 Annual Conference	900	Albuquerque Convention Center
April 30 - May 2	New Mexico Chiropractic Association Annual Convention	300	Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North

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.