Industry Insider

May 2023

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HELLO, VISIT ALBUQUERQUE PARTNERS,

We are wrapping up a successful and busy spring season. With school out of session, we’re ready to enjoy exciting events and welcome even more visitors this summer.

Each May, we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Our city is home to many ways to explore and learn more about the impact Asian American and Pacific Islander cultures have had on Albuquerque.

This issue of Industry Insider includes details about recent conferences and other events Visit Albuquerque has attended and upcoming meetings and conventions in the city.

Thank you for being a Visit Albuquerque Partner.

Tania Armenta
President & CEO
Visit Albuquerque

News

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 Address on May 20 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.

In his address, Mayor Keller focused on issues of crime, safety and homelessness. He reviewed strategies the City has undertaken in the past year to address the concerns, including expanded use of crime-fighting technology. He also discussed the housing shortage in Albuquerque and announced that renovations to the former StaySure Hotel at Eubank and Lomas will be completed in a few months, converting the hotel into 100 apartment units.

In addition to highlighting investments that will build the Rail Trail pedestrian pathway, double the number of dog parks and increase the number of pickle ball courts, the Mayor also announced the ABQ Stories of Us project. Under this program, public spaces including parks, streets and libraries will be renamed in honor of individuals who have made a lasting impact on the city. Community members are invited to recommend a name change by filling out a Renaming Request Form with information about their honoree.

Visit Albuquerque Attends Sports ETA Symposium

Angela Gandy, Senior Sports Development Manager, and Scott Craighead, VP of Sales, Services & Sports, attended the Sports ETA Symposium May 8-11 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Sports ETA, the only trade association for the sports events and tourism industry, hosts an annual four-day Symposium offering one-on-one appointments with sporting event organizers, continuing education programs and networking opportunities. Visit Albuquerque purchased a marketing package for the event which included signage promoting Albuquerque.

While in Kansas City, Angela and Scott attended educational sessions focused on sports tourism trends and topics, and conducted 25 one-on-one appointments with key decision makers in charge of site selection for championship sporting events.

Sales Team Attends HelmsBriscoe Annual Conference

Visit Albuquerque’s Senior National Sales Manager Tabitha Stallworth traveled to Denver, Colorado and attended the HelmsBriscoe Annual Business Conference May 4-5. The event included over 400 of the top producers and rising stars within HelmsBriscoe along with all of their senior leadership. As one of the largest third-party meeting planner companies, Helms reported securing $1.425 billion in room revenue and $6.2 million room nights in 2022. During the two-day event, Tabitha was able to connect with over 20 planners in one-on-one appointments.

Don’t Miss Visit Albuquerque’s June Business Exchange

Don’t miss this opportunity to network with colleagues in the local hospitality industry as well as staff and Board members from Visit Albuquerque. Join us for refreshments provided by Old Town Catering Company, great conversation and a chance to explore El Vado at the Business Exchange.

When: Thursday, June 1, 2023, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: El Vado (2500 Central Ave. SW)
Cost: $10 for Partners, $20 for non-Partners

For tickets, register here.

NMHA Governor’s Conference on Hospitality and Tourism

Hundreds of hospitality and tourism professionals gathered in Las Cruces earlier this month for the Governor’s Conference on Hospitality and Tourism presented by New Mexico True. Hosted by the New Mexico Hospitality Association, attendees had the chance to network with exhibitors and attend breakout sessions on everything from digital branding to meeting planning.

During the conference, Visit Albuquerque President & CEO Tania Armenta served on a panel that examined opportunities and challenges for the hospitality industry to collaborate with hospitality educational programs; Marisol Lucero, Visit Albuquerque’s Director of Research, co-presented a session titled “Data-Driven Insights for Destination Success: From Analysis to Outcomes”; and Angie Jepsen, Director of Sports Development for the Albuquerque Sports Commission, a division of Visit Albuquerque, served as a panelist during a session on sports events as an economic driver for their host communities.

Three legends of the New Mexico hospitality industry were inducted into the New Mexico Tourism Hall of Fame: Tom and Jerean Hutchinson, owners of La Posta de Mesilla; and Bill Lee, CEO of the Grant-McKinley County Chamber of Commerce. Congratulations to these dedicated professionals who embody the ideals of passion and service to the industry.

Visit Albuquerque Celebrates National Travel and Tourism Week

Visit Albuquerque celebrated National Travel and Tourism Week May 7-13 on social media by highlighting many of the reasons why Albuquerque is a premier travel destination, while celebrating the city’s travel and tourism industry. National Travel and Tourism Week is hosted annually by the U.S. Travel Association to celebrate the importance travel has on the economy, businesses and personal well-being.

Upcoming Meetings and Sports Events

In June 2023, almost 19,500 people will participate in meetings and sports events booked and supported by Visit Albuquerque. These events will generate an estimated $9.6 million in direct spend and include:

Dates	Group Name	Est. Attendance	Meeting Location	Est. Direct Spending
June 1-3	Great Southwest Track & Field Championships	1,650	UNM Campus	$686,642
June 1-4	ProSports 2023 Pickleball Tournament with the Pros ABQ	875	Pickleball Courts	$175,443
June 2-4	2023 IBEW Local Union #611 Softball Tournament	2,160	Jennifer Riordan Spark Kindness Sports Complex	$861,175
June 3-8	American Astronomical Society 2023 Summer Meeting	650	Albuquerque Convention Center	$795,168
June 4	New Mexico Youth Soccer Association Annual General Meeting	100	Sheraton Albuquerque Airport Hotel	$16,347
June 9-11	United States Specialty Sports Association State Baseball Championships	3,960	Jennifer Riordan Spark Kindness Sports Complex	$768,527
June 9-11	Rio Grande Mustang Club National Show	600	Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North	$200,242
June 13-22	Triple Crown Sports Pathway Games Albuquerque	2,970	Jennifer Riordan Spark Kindness Sports Complex	$1,566,475
June 21-25	Cadillac & LaSalle Club Grand National	500	Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North	$434,322
June 22-24	Evolution Meetings Evolution 2023	2,000	Albuquerque Convention Center	$1,346,750
June 30-July 2	Al-Anon Family Groups 2023 International Convention	4,000	Albuquerque Convention Center	$2,752,712