Industry Insider

New Mexico Safe Certified Listing Icon and Landing Page  

Partners that complete the New Mexico Safe Certification will now have an icon displayed on their VisitABQ.org website listing. Visitors to the website can hover over the icon to learn more about the certification, and can also filter by “Amenities” to find lodging, restaurants and attractions that have taken the steps to become NM Safe Certified. 

This information can also be found on a new website landing page dedicated to Albuquerqe’s NM Safe Certified businesses. A link to the page can be found on the main COVID-19 Traveler Information page. 

Click here see current NM Safe Certified businesses. 

Visit Albuquerque Co-Hosts Virtual Caffeinate & Connect Event 

 On Sept. 1, Visit Albuquerque co-hosted a virtual event with Destination Madison and the Providence Convention Visitors Bureau. The conversation, “How to hold it together when the industry is falling apart,” featured the three destination CEOs, and was moderated by Shawna Suckow, a noted meeting industry speaker. There were over 108 people in attendance, including 52 clients representing a variety of associations, third-party planners and corporations.

Visitor Information Center in Historic Old Town Now Open 

The Visitor Information Center in Historic Old Town has reopened with COVID-safe practices and precautions in place. We are excited to welcome travelers and local residents back to the center, where they can find maps, Visitors Guides and information about what to see, where to eat, where to shop and how to spend time in Albuquerque. To ensure the safety of Visit Albuquerque volunteers, the center will be staffed only by Liz Burnam, Visit Albuquerque’s Visitor Services Manager, until further notice. 

Visitors are currently not allowed to enter the information center, and are assisted from the front door with a shelving unit and plexiglass barrier with signage denoting face-covering and social distancing requirements. The current hours of operation are Thursday - Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm.

Visit Albuquerque Sales Staff Attend Virtual Professional Fraternity Association Conference

Misty Jester and Tabitha Stallworth represented our beautiful city on Friday, Sept. 11, at the Virtual Professional Fraternity Association Annual Conference. This event included networking opportunities and time to virtually meet with approximately 30 different fraternal organization meeting planners to discuss bringing their future conventions to Albuquerque.

New ADA Compliant Website Enhancements 

Over the past several months, Visit Albuquerque has worked to upgrade its website to be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and offer a more welcoming, inclusive experience for all site users. The enhancements include digitally assistive tools beneficial to all visitors to the website, but are especially helpful for aging populations; those with vision, hearing, motor and cognitive disabilities; and those who are color blind, dyslexic, learning to read, studying a second language or who just prefer listening instead of reading.

The organization’s ADA compliance was certified through its partnership with AudioEye and website partner Simpleview. In navigating to VisitABQ.org, visitors will notice a blue and white icon in the lower right-hand corner of each web page on the site. Clicking the icon expands the AudioEye Toolbar, which allows visitors to change the page layout, font size, contrast and background colors, and also gives the visitor the option to have information on the page read aloud.

New Mexico Tourism Department to Host Free Tourism Summit & Business Resiliency Workshop

On Oct. 6, the New Mexico Tourism Department will host a free full-day, solution-focused virtual summit to discuss challenges facing the tourism industry and opportunities to support recovery. Hear from thought leaders and decision-makers on how the industry can work together to position New Mexico for a strong recovery through tourism.

Register for the Oct. 6 event.

On Oct. 27, the New Mexico Tourism Department and New Mexico's Small Business Development Center will host a free full-day virtual workshop focused on forecasting the most beneficial outcome for business and related assets in response to the long-term economic effects of COVID-19.

Register for the Oct. 27 event.

New Mexico Safe Certified and the Revised Public Health Order 

 Effective Sept. 4, Governor Lujan Grisham announced a revised public health order that included an increase in maximum occupancy from 50% to 75% for lodging establishments that have completed New Mexico Safe Certified training. Lodging providers that have not completed the training must continue to operate at no more than 50% of maximum occupancy. Read the revised public health order here.

The New Mexico Safe Certified program offers free, on-demand training courses to help tourism businesses create a COVID-safe environment and demonstrate their commitment to best practices. Tourism-related businesses that earn NM Safe Certification are listed in a directory and receive other benefits, including: 

• The right to display the NM Safe Certified badge on your website and decal at your location.
• Access to the NM Safe Certified Toolkit, which includes useful samples and templates.
• A digital advertising credit worth up to $2,000 toward the purchase of a digital media package with New Mexico magazine through Jan. 31, 2021.

Become NM Safe Certified today!
 

Discovery Map of Albuquerque

MAKE SURE YOU’RE READY FOR THE 2021 BOUNCE-BACK TOURIST SEASON
 
Put your business on the Discovery Map of Albuquerque and bring visitors to your door.

• Visit Albuquerque Partners get a 10% discount! 
• An additional 10% Early Bird discount is available, which means Partners can get 20% off!
• Monthly payment option also available.
• 300,000 printed maps distributed at over 350 locations year-round, including Visit Albuquerque offices, welcome centers, Albuquerque Airport, car rental offices, hotels, motels and RV parks.
• 25,000+ digital viewers driving traffic to your website!
• Full-color ad design free of charge!

Reserve your space NOW! Call 505-750-0076 or email jeffstevens@discoverymap.com

DOABQ

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@doabq.com for more information.