Industry Insider

May 2025

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Hospitality Spotlight
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We are wrapping up an active spring season when our city hosted the Gathering of Nations Pow Wow and key events including the American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration Annual Meeting, the Association of Computational Linguistics Spring Meeting and the Association of Children’s Museums InterActivity Conference. We also welcomed leaders from neighboring states for a U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission Meeting. With summer right around the corner, we’re looking forward to welcoming more visitors to our city.

Each May, we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Our city is home to many great ways to explore and learn about the impact Asian American and Pacific Islander culture has had on our city.

This issue of Industry Insider includes details on Visit Albuquerque’s latest passport trail and ways to recognize leaders in the hospitality community.

Thank you for being a valued Visit Albuquerque Partner!

News

Visit Albuquerque Launches Wine Trail Pass

Visit Albuquerque launched the Albuquerque Wine Trail pass this month, featuring more than half a dozen local wineries in the city. As passholders check in at wineries, they will become eligible to win exciting prizes. Certain wineries are also offering discounts to passholders. The pass will encourage visitors and residents to experience the wine scene in Albuquerque. To download the Albuquerque Wine Trail pass, visit VisitABQ.org/wine-pass.

NMHA Governor’s Conference on Hospitality and Tourism

Hospitality and tourism professionals gathered at the Sheraton Uptown Albuquerque 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.

Congratulations to the inductees to the New Mexico Tourism Hall of Fame. Among those inducted were Heather Arnold, Chief Executive Officer of Routes Bicycle Tours & Rentals, and Michael Canfield, former President & CEO of Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and Indian Pueblos Marketing Inc. Both Heather and Mike are past chairs of the Visit Albuquerque Board of Directors, and both have had an immeasurable impact on tourism in Albuquerque and the state of New Mexico. Congratulations to Heather and Mike on achieving the highest honor bestowed by the state’s hospitality industry.

Apply for a Tourism Grant

Applications for the 2025 Tourism Grant Program are now open. The Tourism Grant Program is funded by the Albuquerque Tourism Marketing District and managed by Visit Albuquerque. The overarching goal of the 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. Find more information on the Tourism Grant Program. Applications close June 4.

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. The inaugural Partner Pop-In will take place:

May 29, 2025
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Fire of Sandia
1710 Central Ave. SW, Suite C, 87104

Tickets cost $20, and includes creating a create room spray, diffuser, and/or wax melts. 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:

June 12, 2025
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Turquoise Room at Hotel Albuquerque
800 Rio Grande Blvd. 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!

Upcoming Meetings and Sports Events

In June 2025, more than 20,000 people will participate in or attend meetings and sports events booked and supported by Visit Albuquerque. These events will generate an estimated $6.6 million in direct spend. Some of the noteworthy events include:

Dates	Group Name	Est. Attendance	Meeting Location
June 2-4	Sun Country Golf House NM/WT Men’s Amateur Championship	150	Local Facility
June 4	Sun Country Golf House Drive, Chip & Putt Qualifier	330	UNM Championship Golf Course
June 5-8	Albuquerque Baseball Academy Tool Classic	1,584	Jennifer Riordan Spark Kindness Sports Complex
June 5-7	Great Southwest Track & Field Championships	1,617	UNM Campus
June 6-8	USA BMX Spring Nationals	1,980	Duke City BMX
June 6-8	United States Specialty Sports Association State Baseball Championships	4,356	Jennifer Riordan Spark Kindness Sports Complex
June 8	New Mexico Games Figure Skating	150	Local Facility
June 10-12	New Mexico Law Offices of the Public Defender Annual Conference	300	Crowne Plaza Albuquerque
June 10-19	Triple Crown Sports Pathway Games Albuquerque	2,175	Jennifer Riordan Spark Kindness Sports Complex
June 14	New Mexico Games Swimming	580	West Mesa Aquatic Center
June 15-22	Intermountain Weavers Conference	250	Albuquerque Convention Center
June 21-26	National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine National Tools of the Trade Conference	200	The Clyde Hotel
June 24-29	Senior Softball Land of Enchantment Championships	2,138	Los Altos Softball
June 24	Sun Country Golf House Amateur Qualifier	263	UNM Championship Golf Course
June 24	Sun Country Golf House Arroyo del Oso Junior Event	264	Local Facility
June 26-29	Albuquerque Baseball Academy Five Tool West Duke City Championships	2,957	Jennifer Riordan Spark Kindness Sports Complex
June 27-29	New Mexico Games Indoor Racquet Sports	232	Local Facility
June 28-29	New Mexico Games Tennis	215	Jerry Cline Tennis 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.

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

Molly Gallegos, Homewood Suites by Hilton Albuquerque Uptown

Great hospitality goes beyond service — it’s about creating a welcoming experience for every guest. This month, we recognize Molly Gallegos, the General Manager at Homewood Suites by Hilton Albuquerque Uptown, for her exceptional leadership and dedication.

According to Sandra Trujillo, the Director of Sales, Molly is an exceptional general manager who cares about each and every guest. She is the first person to welcome guests, and she takes the time to get to know everyone who stops by her office. Molly will sit with travelers and help them plan the best trip possible. She also goes out of her way to celebrate any weddings, anniversaries or birthdays guests have during their stay.

We celebrate Molly Gallegos 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!