Partner Connection

May 2026

Events
Partner Kudos
Social Media Spotlight
Partner Opportunities
Partner Benefit Highlight
New & Renewing Partners

Tourism Grant Program Applications Close Next Week

Applications close next Friday for the 2026-2027 Visit Albuquerque Tourism Grant Program, an initiative designed to support innovative projects that enhance Albuquerque’s visitor experience and strengthen the local tourism economy. Funded through the Albuquerque Tourism Marketing District (ATMD), the program invests in ideas and initiatives that help grow overnight visitation while showcasing the culture, creativity and authenticity that make Albuquerque unique.

Two funding opportunities are available:

Innovator Grants: Awards of up to $100,000 for established projects ready for implementation that demonstrate strong potential to drive visitation and economic impact. (Funding match is required for Innovator projects.)

Incubator Grants: Awards of up to $10,000 designed to support emerging ideas, pilot programs or smaller-scale initiatives that bring new visitor experiences to life.

Visit Albuquerque is encouraging projects that align with key priorities identified in the Albuquerque Destination Master Plan, including Route 66 activations, Transportation & Connectivity improvements, and Downtown Development & Activation. Projects supporting culinary tourism, outdoor recreation and arts and cultural heritage experiences are also encouraged.

Applications, eligibility requirements and program guidelines are available now at VisitABQ.org/tourismgrants. The application deadline is May 22, 2026.

Events

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 of 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.

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

May 19, 2026
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
DoubleTree Albuquerque
201 Marquette Ave. NW, 87102

The cost is $25 per person for Partner businesses and $40 per person for non-Partners. In honor of the Route 66 Centennial, anyone who registers three employees from the same organization will be charged $66 for all three registrations. 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! All ACE attendees from now through the end of 2026 will receive special tips and training in preparation for the Route 66 centennial plus a free branded T-shirt! Make sure your team is ready for visitors coming to Albuquerque to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Mother Road.

Seating is limited, so register your employees now!

Congrats to the ACE graduates from the April class at Explora.

Graduates: Celia Hahn from I Scream Ice Cream; Mark Aragon, Tyler Swinson, OJ Ellsworth, Stefanie Richards and Daisy De La Cruz Terrazas from NM Homies; Sabrina Mendez, Angela Trejo, Trisha Pillars and Oz Stewart from Explora; Kambria Blankenship from the Albuquerque Convention Center; Nykolas Ramirez from the New Mexico Veterans Memorial; Sarah Horowitz from Three Sisters Kitchen; Daniel Haymes from the Albuquerque Sheraton Uptown; and Nananne Eichermeller and Dana Craig from Visit Albuquerque.

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, 2026
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.

Save the Date for the 2026 Visit Albuquerque Annual Meeting

Join us for Visit Albuquerque's Annual Meeting on Sept. 22, 2026. All Partners are welcome to attend this free event that recognizes the impact of travel and the tourism industry in Albuquerque. We’ll reflect on the progress made over the past year and preview the road ahead, focusing on the opportunities that shape our path forward. Network with Board members, fellow Partners and Visit Albuquerque staff. Stay tuned for more details and a registration link!

Partner Kudos

Visit Albuquerque Partners Celebrate Anniversaries

Many Visit Albuquerque Partners are celebrating anniversaries. The Rattlesnake Museum is turning 36 this year. Snapdragon Tea is celebrating its third birthday. People & Planet Refill has been in business for four years. Congratulations!

Daydream Rum Bar Wins Award

Daydream Rum Bar won the Best Bar Design Award from The World’s 50 Best, an international ranking company. Hidden beneath Little Bear Coffee in Nob Hill, the bar was recognized for its creative nautical design touches that are reminiscent of a ship’s interior. Way to go!

Meow Wolf Recognized as a Top Tourism Company

Time magazine recently named Meow Wolf one of the 10 Most Influential Travel and Tourism Companies of 2026. The magazine applauded the New Mexico-based artist collective for helping to invent the category of “immersive art” and for creating “the blueprint for a new kind of artist-led, participatory attraction.” Congratulations on the honor!

Social Media Spotlight

Daydream Rum Bar

Daydream Rum Bar has made a splash with several recent accolades. In January, it was named a semifinalist for the James Beard awards for "Best New Bar," and in April it won an award for the "Best Designed Bar.” Daydream has taken advantage of these accolades on social media by promptly posting them and ensuring followers were aware of the accomplishments. Additionally, Daydream posts aesthetically pleasing pictures that create a cohesive look and capture the overall vibe of the bar.

Daydream Rum Bar Socials

Partner Opportunities

Survey for New Mexico Hospitality Businesses

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.

Host a Visit Albuquerque Partner Event

If you are interested in hosting a Visit Albuquerque Partner event at your business or organization, fill out his form to indicate your interest. Events include Business Exchanges, Partner Pop-Ins, ACE classes and more. No matter the size, you can host an event! We look forward to working with you to shape an exciting event for Visit Albuquerque Partners.

Advertise on Visit Albuquerque’s Website

The DTN Paid Content program offers a variety of placements on Visit Albuquerque's website, and programs can be tailored to meet your specific marketing and budget needs. The DTN team offers free creative services to help get your program running quickly, easy access to performance reporting and a friendly support team.

You can contact DTN at Advertising@DTNads.com or call 855-801-5905 if you’re interested.

Tell Us About Your Route 66 Centennial Specials

Is your business planning something special for the Route 66 Centennial? Whether it’s a new activity like TourABQ’s Route 66 Speakeasy Tour, a special food item like Duran Central Pharmacy’s milkshakes in commemorative pint glasses, or a special item like Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway’s centennial stickers, we want to know about it. Send your centennial celebrations and promotions to Marketing@VisitABQ.org.

An image of the Route 66 Centennial shakes offered at Duran Central Pharmacy. The Route 66 Centennial sticker from the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway.

Submit Your Event to the ABQ365 Calendar

Visit Albuquerque’s ABQ365 Events Calendar offers a great opportunity to promote your events! The one-stop, all-ABQ encompassing calendar features primarily arts, entertainment and culture-focused events, appealing to both locals and visitors.

Event listings offer a great opportunity for additional exposure and promotion, and can help keep your business top-of-mind – for free!

Submit your events.

Create a Coupon to Bring in Customers

Bring in new customers with a great deal at your business! If you have a current coupon or special, submit it to us and we’ll feature it on our popular Specials & Coupons page and our digital savings pass. These promotions are also spotlighted during major events, meetings and conventions happening in Albuquerque, giving your business even more exposure.

When you submit a coupon, you input your own valid dates and can tailor offers for specific events or seasons, giving you full control of your offers on our site.

Submit your coupons and specials.

Partner Benefit Highlight

Showcase Your Business in 360°

As a Visit Albuquerque Partner, you get access to a 360° video of your business. We work with Threshold 360 to capture every angle. The video is displayed on your Visit Albuquerque listing. If you need to refresh your video or capture a new video, contact Alanna Allen at Allen@VisitABQ.org to learn more and get a scheduling link.

New & Renewing Partners

Thanks To Our New & Renewing Partners

Visit Albuquerque’s Partners help support our mission to market the city as a top-choice destination for leisure travel, meetings and sporting events. Our thanks to the following Partners that recently joined or renewed their partnership with Visit Albuquerque. We appreciate your commitment to making Albuquerque a great place to visit and to live!

New Partners

Renewing Partners