Industry Insider

Bernalillo County Moves to Turquoise Status 

On May 5, Bernalillo County progressed to Turquoise status in the state’s reopening framework, signaling expanded capacity limits for places of lodging, restaurants and other businesses. Key changes include:
 

• Places of lodging that are New Mexico Safe Certified may operate with no restrictions on their guest occupancy level. Places of lodging that are not certified are limited to 50% occupancy.
• Food and drink establishments that are New Mexico Safe Certified may operate at 75% of capacity, both indoors and outdoors.
• Large entertainment venues may operate their indoor space at 33% of capacity and their outdoor space at 75% of capacity. Theaters, convention centers, hotel ballrooms and concert spaces fall under the definition of “large entertainment venues.”
• Bars and clubs may open their indoor space for the first time in more than a year. Indoor capacity is capped at 33%, and outdoor capacity is capped at 75%.
• Mass gatherings of up to 150 people are permitted. This is a significant increase from the 20-person limit under the Green level.

 
Visit Albuquerque joins our community in celebrating continued progress toward full reopening, which Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has indicated will occur when 60% of eligible New Mexicans are fully vaccinated. Learn more.

Visit Albuquerque Proposes Tourism Marketing District 

The proposed Albuquerque Tourism Marketing District (ATMD) will be a game changer for our city’s accommodations and hospitality industry. By adding a 2% assessment to the guest checkout folio at approximately 150 lodging properties located within the District, the ATMD will provide a vital new source of funding to market Albuquerque as a destination. The result will be more visitors, improved performance in our lodging industry and greater economic prosperity.
 
Albuquerque faces intense competition from other cities for leisure travelers, convention business and sporting events, and many of those cities have much larger marketing budgets. The ATMD would provide much-needed resources to help attract more visitors and ensure that Albuquerque stays competitive. The ATMD presents an opportunity to invest in Albuquerque’s future and position it as a top destination. And we can add this assessment and still stay below the national average for guest check-out fees. Read more about the proposed ATMD here.

Albuquerque to Host Inaugural New Mexico Open Pickleball Tournament

On May 6, our organization joined Mayor Tim Keller, City Parks & Recreation Director Dave Simon, Rocky Mountain Pickleball Director Don Siegel and several State representatives to announce the return of sporting events to the city. The press conference highlighted the inaugural Rocky Mountain Pickleball New Mexico Open tournament, planned expansions at the Manzano Mesa Pickleball Complex and the upcoming Pathway Albuquerque and Texas Premier New Balance West Championship baseball events. Mayor Keller also noted the positive impact sporting events have on our economy and community. Learn more within the official press release. 

New Mexico Finance Authority Recovery Grant Program Application Now Open 

LEDA Recovery Grants were created by the State of New Mexico in the 2021 Legislative Session by House Bill 11 to provide $200 million in grant funding to New Mexico small businesses that are experiencing financial hardship due to the pandemic. These grants are specifically tied to job creation, must be used as reimbursements of rent, lease or mortgage payments, and are prioritized based on the severity of economic decline experienced by the business. 
 

Eligibility Requirements:

• Businesses operating in New Mexico.
• Businesses with at least one, but fewer than 75 full-time or part-time employees at any business location.
• Must be current on all state and local tax obligations.
• Businesses that experienced decline in business revenue in taxable years 2019 and 2020. 

 
Grant amounts are based on a combination of revenue decline, the number of new full-time-equivalent (FTE) positions hired, and the hourly wages of new positions. The grant application closes June 15, 2021. Learn more and apply here. 

Visit Albuquerque Hosts Virtual Flamenco-Inspired Press Trip

On May 13, Visit Albuquerque hosted a Virtual Flamenco-Inspired Press Trip that highlighted the city’s diverse and dynamic arts and culture scene to an audience of six national travel writers. The goal of the trip was to further drive coverage in key markets while also keeping Albuquerque top of mind as a world-class, culturally rich destination. Writers in attendance participated in a virtual flamenco class with the National Institute of Flamenco and also received a gift package that included local items and goodies to create an authentic and interactive #TrueABQ experience.

Senior National Sales Manager Conducts Minneapolis Sales Mission

From May 18-20, Senior National Sales Manager Tabitha Stallworth conducted a Minneapolis sales mission. She spent Tuesday visiting client offices, Wednesday exhibiting at MPI WeConnect and Thursday hosting a HelmsBriscoe Lunch and Learn where she educated planners on the many benefits of holding a meeting or convention in Albuquerque. WeConnect is Minneapolis MPI's Annual Education Day and Tabitha had the opportunity to network with over 100 industry professionals.

New Mexico Artisan Market Seeking Vendor Applicants 

On May 12, the New Mexico Artisan Market announced a new, permanent market that is slated to open this summer. Launched by the New Mexico Multi-Cultural Foundation and Heritage Hotels & Resorts in 2018, the New Mexico Artisan Market will be moving to the Bazaar, located at 1904 Bellamah Ave., a more than 12,000 sq. ft. space located in the Sawmill District across from the Sawmill Market and Hotel Chaco starting July 9 – October 10, 2021. The market will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 

With over 70 spaces available each week, including both outdoor and indoor options, artisans and makers across the state are encouraged to apply. Each vendor is hand-selected and juried, considered from a large variety of contemporary and traditional styles. Interested makers can begin their application process by visiting nmartisanmarket.com or emailing balvarez@nmartisanmarket.com for more information.

Application Requirements:

• Applicant must be a New Mexico resident
• Artisans must submit 3 quality photo examples of their work
• Artisans must submit 1 photo of a previous display booth (if possible)
• Artisans must submit 1 photo of themselves
• Artisans must submit bio, website and/or social media handles

Visit Albuquerque Sales And Sports Teams Work To Bring Future Meetings And Events To The City

 From May 24-26, Senior National Sales Manager Misty Jester is representing Visit Albuquerque at Connect in Las Vegas. Connect brings together the most active planners, suppliers and experts across the association, corporate, diversity, sports diversity and West markets. Misty will be focusing on the West markets with over 25 in-person sales appointments as well as education sessions and networking opportunities. 

The Albuquerque Sports Commission team, Angie Jepsen and Angela Gandy, attended the Sports ETA Virtual SportsBiz XChange trade show from May 18-21. The sports team had the opportunity to meet with 30 sporting event planning organizations and national governing bodies.
 

Share Your Love for Albuquerque and Its Businesses

Albuquerque and several of our Partners have been nominated for Condé Nast Traveler's 2021 "Readers’ Choice" Awards! Voting is now live and you will have to create a login in order to vote, but every time you submit a completed rating for these awards, you’ll be entered to win a dream getaway for two. Albuquerque has been nominated under the “Cities” category. Additionally, the following properties have been nominated under the “Hotels & Resorts” and “Restaurants” categories. Be sure to vote by Monday, May 31, for your chance to win. Click here to vote now.

• Hotel Andaluz
• Hyatt Regency Albuquerque
• Hotel Parq Central
• Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town
• Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown
• Hotel Chaco
• Sandia Resort & Casino
• Apothecary Lounge
• The Grove Café & Market
   

Unbelievable Pass

Calling local brewery, 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.