Industry Insider

As we head into the fall season, we’re looking forward to cooler temperatures and even more reasons to travel to Albuquerque. We’re preparing for Balloon Fiesta and the hundreds of thousands of visitors to our city for this incredible event. See the story below for some helpful resources for your business during this busy time.

It is also National Hispanic Heritage Month. In Albuquerque, we’re proud of our multicultural heritage and rich diversity in our community. We encourage you to take some time this month to celebrate the Hispanic culture that makes this city so unique.

Thank you for being a Visit Albuquerque Partner!

News

Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024
Albuquerque Convention Center 
401 2nd St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
3:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. 
Annual Meeting Program to begin at 3:30 p.m., with networking reception immediately following. 

Tickets to the event are free, but you must register in advance. Registration link coming soon.

Visit Albuquerque Announces Recipients of 2024 Tourism Grants

The recipients of Visit Albuquerque’s 2024 tourism grant program have been announced. Now in its second year, the program’s goal is to spark innovative ideas that contribute to Albuquerque’s vibrancy and generate creative visitor and resident experiences that benefit and grow tourism along with building community. Visit Albuquerque received an overwhelming response to this year’s Tourism Grant Program. A total of 74 applications were submitted, collectively requesting over $1.5 million in funding. Among a pool of exceptional applications, 28 projects and events were selected for their potential to help grow and strengthen a diverse and thriving tourism economy. A total of $510,000 will be awarded to the 2024 grant recipients.

Two main levels of grant funding were available for the 2024 grant cycle: the Incubator level, which provides up to $10,000 for project implementation, and the Innovator level, which provides up to $50,000 for project implementation (this level requires a match). The awarded projects are:
 
Incubator Level Grantees:

• Albuquerque Little Theatre - $10,000 for “Echo in the Canyon: Lifting up Native, Indigenous, and Local Storytellers” literary festival
• Blackout Theatre Company - $5,000 for “Big Doors NM,” a collaborative multimedia project highlighting Albuquerque’s traditions and historic neighborhoods
• Cardboard Playhouse - $10,000 for “Second Saturdays,” a monthly event showcasing Albuquerque’s performing arts scene
• CLAY + CODA - $10,000 for “Modish Market,” a weekend-long event celebrating Albuquerque's mid-century modern design, history and cultural traditions
• CoCreations Candle Shop - $10,000 for “Scents of the Southwest,” candle-making classes geared toward travelers
• M’Tucci’s Bar Roma - $10,000 for the preservation and revitalization of the Jones Motor Company promenade
• Nob Hill MainStreet - $10,000 for "Rhythm and Roots on Route 66,” a weekend celebration of the Nob Hill neighborhood
• Santa Fe Art Tours - $10,000 for the relaunch of Albuquerque Old Town art tours
• The Mothership Alumni - $10,000 for infrastructure improvements to the Yrisarri building in Downtown
• Upside Goods Co. - $10,000 for a holiday market that will pair interactive experiences with a traditional holiday market 

Innovator Level Grantees:

• AMP Concerts - $35,000 for “Winrock Free Concert Series,” six concerts happening in the summer of 2025 at the amphitheater at the Park at Winrock Town Center
• Artemis Promotions, Inc. - $10,000 for the 2nd Annual Lowrider Fest
• Blue River Productions - $45,000 for a chocolate and coffee week, with chocolate and coffee-related events, activities and dining experiences throughout the city
• Casa Flamenca - $20,000 to refresh the outdoor performance space
• Downtown Albuquerque MainStreet and Arts & Cultural District - $20,000 for the “Albuquerque Fermentation & Fungi Fest,” a celebration of fungi and all-things fermented
• Flamenco Works - $25,000 for “Fiesta Flamenca Burqueña,” an event bringing flamenco to downtown Albuquerque
• Flyby Provisions - $25,000 for “The Nightbird Trolley,” an experience connecting Old Town and Downtown small businesses
• Friends of the Orphan Signs - $25,000 for phase two of restoring, rehabilitating and renovating empty and abandoned local signage
• FUSION - $40,000 for the “Rising High Arts Festival,” which will include 11 days of arts activities in downtown Albuquerque
• Historic Old Town Association - $25,000 for initiatives to enhance the Old Town visitor experience, support local businesses and preserve the unique character of Old Town
• Luna and Luz - $40,000 for “SESSIONS,” an immersive experience into the arts and culture of the Southwest
• New Mexico Restaurant Association - $15,000 to bring back “Albuquerque Restaurant Week,” an annual event highlighting the city’s vibrant cuisine
• New Mexico Trade Alliance - $25,000 for “Space Valley Festival,” a new experience integrating Albuquerque’s rich cultural heritage with cutting-edge space exploration activities
• TourABQ - $25,000 for Route 66 Centennial trolley tours 

In addition, four event applications were chosen to receive a Signature Event grant. These events will receive a combination of funding in the amount of $10,000 and a customized marketing campaign that will help ensure these long-established events continue to thrive. As part of its overarching marketing strategy, Visit Albuquerque works to promote the variety of signature and notable events that take place throughout the year.

The Signature Event grantees are:

• Day of the Tread – an annual Halloween- and Day-of-the-Dead-themed bicycle race
• Gathering of Nations – the largest Native American powwow in North America
• Mariachi Spectacular de Albuquerque – the largest and most comprehensive mariachi concert and conference event in the country
• Festival Flamenco – the largest flamenco event held outside of Spain

The program is made possible due to revenue generated by the Albuquerque Tourism Marketing District (ATMD), a coalition of approximately 150 local lodging properties that agreed to an assessment for guests on overnight stays.

Submit Nominations for the New Mexico Hospitality Association’s TopHAT Awards

The New Mexico Hospitality Association is accepting nominations for its 2024 TopHAT (Hospitality and Tourism) Awards. The TopHAT Awards recognize outstanding people, experiences and lodging properties that go above and beyond in the hospitality and tourism industry. Businesses do not need to be an NMHA member to apply. Some of this year’s categories include:

• Outstanding Event
• Outstanding Attraction
• Best New Experience
• Front-of-House Food & Beverage
• Front-of-House Hospitality
• Back-of-House Food & Beverage
• Back-of-House Hospitality
• Hospitality Professional of the Year
• Full Service Hotel of the Year
• Owner of the Year

Nominations are due by Oct. 11. For more information and to submit your nominations, click here.

Apply for a Downtown Security Camera Grant

The City of Albuquerque’s Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency and the Albuquerque Police Department have partnered to create the Community Connect Downtown Security Camera program. This program provides funding to Downtown properties to purchase security cameras and connect them to APD’s Real Time Crime Center. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the funds are depleted. For requirements and the application process, see the City’s website.

Visit Albuquerque Attends Community Events

The Visit Albuquerque Destination Development and Community Engagement team attended two events during the month of September. The first was Sandia Family Day at Sandia National Laboratories, where Visit Albuquerque employees and volunteers passed out copies of Visit Albuquerque’s Visitors Guide, activity books, stickers and combination sunscreen and lip balm to families of Sandia employees.

The team also attended the New Mexico State Fair on Sept. 12 during New Mexico True and Gathering of the Counties Day. They passed out copies of Visit Albuquerque’s Visitors Guide along with children’s activity books.

Sales Updates

Updated Sales Deployment

With the arrival of Megan Gastelum, a new meetings and conventions sales deployment has been applied to increase the ongoing effort and focus on citywide business. Tabitha Stallworth, Misty Jester and Wanda Jackson-Lewis will handle citywide business only (400 room nights on peak and over) with shared territory support for meetings under 400 room nights on peak from Nikki Baca and Megan. For more information, click here.

Albuquerque Hosts NAPSA Conference

For the first time, Albuquerque hosted the National Adult Protective Services Association Sept. 15-20 at the Albuquerque Convention Center. The NAPSA conference was attended by more than 1,200 people from across the country. The State of New Mexico’s Long-Term Care and Aging department was a title sponsor of the event. Visit Albuquerque continued its destination enhancement campaign for NAPSA, including the contribution of local cultural performances, enhanced directional signage and a local market with dozens of local artists and vendors. The Visit Albuquerque partnership team canvassed Downtown prior to the convention to ensure restaurants and other retailers were aware of the convention’s arrival and were prepared for the additional traffic to their businesses. The majority of meetings were held at the Albuquerque Convention Center, with Downtown host hotels including The Clyde, Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Albuquerque, Hilton Garden Inn/Homewood Suites and Embassy Suites.

Visit Albuquerque Sales Team Attends Trade Shows

Connect Marketplace, Aug. 27-29, Milwaukee, WI

More than 3,000 attendees participated in Connect Marketplace, including 1,100 hosted buyers across the association, corporate, specialty and sports tracks in highly curated appointments with matched destinations and venues. Visit Albuquerque had dozens of appointments in the specialty, association and sports track, and exhibited in the trade show portion of this event, using its new exhibit featuring virtual balloon rides from Jesse Sansom.

The Visit Albuquerque team included Angie Jepsen, Scott Craighead, Tabitha Stallworth and Misty Jester. The team was joined by Mark Mares and Robin Henry with Heritage Hotels & Resorts, and Marisol Fraire with the Albuquerque Convention Center. Notable organizations engaged by the Visit Albuquerque team included Conference Direct, Helms Briscoe, Association of Departments of Family Medicine, American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy, National Funeral Directors Association, The Food Industry Association, World Council of Credit Unions and The National Association of Rural Health Clinics.

Professional Fraternity Association Annual Convention, Sept. 5-7, Jacksonville, FL

Tabitha Stallworth attended the Annual Professional Fraternity Association Annual Convention. Albuquerque hosted this event in 2023, which included a dedicated familiarization (FAM) tour. Several commented to Tabitha about what a great experience they had last year in Albuquerque. More than 100 senior meeting planners and executives of professional fraternity associations from across the country were in attendance.

Upcoming Meetings and Sports Events

In October 2024, more than 10,000 people will participate in meetings and sports events booked and supported by Visit Albuquerque. These events will generate an estimated $3.73 million in direct spend. Some of the noteworthy events include:

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 in October. Each of these events take place in one part of town, but 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.

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ABQ in the News

Local

• Local favorites make an appearance at Colorado’s Labor Day Lift Off balloon festival - KRQE
• What the Rail Trail could mean for local businesses - Albuquerque Business First
• Visit Albuquerque highlights September events - KRQE

National 

• 15 Best Places to Travel in November - Travel + Leisure
• The Best Places to Travel in October - Condé Nast Traveler
• The 10 Best Places to Travel in October 2024 - The Points Guy
• Where to Go in October - Fifty Grande
• 10 Best Family Vacation Ideas for Fall 2024, According to Travelers and Experts - Family Vacationist
• One of the Best Film Cities in America is this Southwest Gem Full of Outdoor Activities - Islands
• Artistic Albuquerque: Discover This Southwestern City’s Unique Arts, Culture, and Natural Beauty - Go World Travel
• I Visited All 50 States and Ranked Them from My Least Favorite Travel Spot to My Top Pick - Business Insider (syndicated to Yahoo and MSN)
• The Most Dramatic Places in the World to Cry - Thrillist
• Fall Festival Preview: The Best Music, Food, Drinks and Adventure Events - Fifty Grande
• 17 Fall Festivals We Love - Tribune Content Agency
• The Most Epic U.S. Hot Air Balloon Festivals Worth Traveling for This Fall- Thrillist
• Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2024 - Fifty Grande

Resources

August Destination Dashboard

August Leisure eNewsletter

August ABQ365 eNewsletter

Sept.-Nov. Conventions with 500+ Attendees