Industry Insider

As we dive into the fall season, we’re looking forward to cooler temperatures and even more reasons to travel to Albuquerque. We’re ready for Balloon Fiesta and the hundreds of thousands of visitors to our city for this incredible event. Visit Albuquerque will be there during each session at our booth on Main Street toward the south end of the field. We will be celebrating the upcoming Route 66 Centennial with some special touches.

It is also National Hispanic Heritage Month. We’re proud of our multicultural heritage and rich diversity in Albuquerque. We encourage you to take some time this month to honor the Hispanic culture that has shaped this city.

Thank you for being a valued Visit Albuquerque Partner!

News

Federal Government Keeps Per Diem Rates at FY25 Levels

The Government Services Administration has announced that it will freeze the FY26 per diem rates for federal government travel in the United States at the FY25 levels. Federal agencies use these rates to reimburse their employees and contractors for lodging, meals and incidental expenses incurred while on official travel. It is the first time in five years that GSA has not increased the per diem year-over-year. For Albuquerque, the per diem will remain at $144 for lodging, $20 for breakfast, $22 for lunch, $33 for dinner and $5 for incidental expenses. The federal government’s 2026 fiscal year begins Oct. 1, 2025, and runs through Sept. 30, 2026. 

Advertise in the 2026 Visitors Guide

Production of the 2026 Official Albuquerque Visitors Guide is already underway! The guide is a vital resource for travelers looking for ideas for where to stay, eat, shop and play in our city. We will distribute 150,000 copies of the publication beginning in January 2026. To advertise your business in the guide, contact Alisha Zierden at 505-222-4310 or Zierden@VisitABQ.org.

Hundreds of Conference Attendees Explore Albuquerque During IEEE Quantum Week

Photo Credit: Mel & Mike Photography

Albuquerque hosted the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Quantum Week Conference Aug. 31-Sept. 5. The conference set a registration record for the group, bringing together over 1,700 of the brightest minds in quantum computing, including two Nobel Prize laureates. In addition to domestic attendance, the conference brought a significant number of international attendees.

With the depth of innovation and expertise, and the strong base of thought leadership in Albuquerque, we are uniquely positioned to host conferences like Quantum Week successfully. Hosting an event of this caliber is the result of collaboration among many partners including the City of Albuquerque, the New Mexico Economic Development Department, Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory, the University of New Mexico, Central New Mexico Community College, Elevate Quantum, the Albuquerque Convention Center, destination hotel properties, and other community and hospitality partners.

 Visit Albuquerque Sales Team Attends Connect Marketplace

Three members of Visit Albuquerque’s sales team attended Connect Marketplace, Aug. 25-28 in Miami. With more than 3,300 attendees and 1,000 hosted buyers, Connect Marketplace is one of the largest trade shows in the meetings industry. It offers appointment tracks in various industry sectors including association, specialty and sports. The show combines one-on-one appointments along with a traditional trade show floor where Visit Albuquerque exhibited in our eye-catching booth.

Senior National Sales Managers Misty Jester and Megan Gastelum alongside Senior Sports Development Manager Angela Gandy collectively met with 97 meeting planners during scheduled one-on-one appointments and met with an additional 147 individuals in our booth where attendees could participate in a unique virtual reality experience.

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

The New Mexico Hospitality Association is accepting nominations for its 2025 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

Nominations are due by Oct. 14. See more information and submit your nominations.

City Issues RFP for Operation of the KiMo Theatre

The City of Albuquerque is exploring the possibility of a new entity taking over the operation of the KiMo Theatre Downtown. The City has issued a Request for Proposals, and proposals are due Oct. 2. The document outlines what the City is seeking for the new management, including what maintenance is needed and staffing requirements. Applications can be submitted online.

Expedia to Collect Fees for Albuquerque Lodging Properties

Expedia Group announced that it will collect, report and remit the lodgers’ tax, hospitality fee and Albuquerque Tourism Marketing District fee in the city of Albuquerque. When the traveler pays Expedia directly through an Expedia Collect booking, Expedia will remit these taxes and fees directly to the City of Albuquerque’s Treasury Department. The change is effective for all Expedia Collect bookings made on or after Sept. 1, viewable in Expedia Group’s Partner Central. This includes transactions involving third parties. Hotel Collect bookings, when the traveler pays the hotel upon arrival, are not affected. Lodging properties that have specific tax-related questions should contact Expedia Partner Support at 888-397-1786.

Outdoor Recreation Businesses Can Win Money in Pitch Competition

Outdoor recreation businesses can apply to participate in the Adventure Pitch Fest, where companies compete for $15,000 in cash prizes. Businesses pitch in a head-to-head battle before a panel of judges during the event on Nov. 6 at the Rail Yards. At the event, businesses can showcase their products and services to investors, industry leaders and outdoor enthusiasts.

Applications to pitch and table will be accepted until Sept. 30.

Attend the MasterChef Live Show in Albuquerque

The MasterChef All-Stars Live show is coming to Albuquerque! Featuring past contestants, this high-energy show takes you into the action and excitement of MasterChef. The show takes place Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. at the Kiva Auditorium in the Albuquerque Convention Center. Visit Albuquerque Partners can get a special discount of $25 all-in priced tickets (not including tax) with code PARTNER25. Get your tickets here.

Information on the Film Programs at the Rail Yards

The Boiler Shop building at the Albuquerque Rail Yards is being transformed into a film and digital arts hub for future filmmakers. The project is a partnership between the City of Albuquerque, CNM and the New Mexico Media Arts Collective (a program of the New Mexico Economic Development Department). Learn more about what this project entails, and what changes are coming to the Boiler Shop building.

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!

Upcoming Meetings and Sports Events

In October 2025, almost 29,300 people will participate in or attend meetings and sports events booked and supported by Visit Albuquerque. These events will generate an estimated $10.1 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. 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.

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ABQ in the News

The Albuquerque International Sunport is in the running for USA Today's 2025 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards contest for Best Airport for Art. Readers may vote daily for the Sunport until voting ends on Monday, Oct. 6. The top 10 winners will be announced on Wednesday, Oct. 15.

Local

• Visit ABQ events to generate $18.6M impact - Albuquerque Business First
• Love 4 ABQ: National Hispanic Cultural Center - KOB
• In Albuquerque, Quantum Week conference puts the future on display - Albuquerque Journal
• Albuquerque to host IEEE Quantum Week Conference, bringing over $1 million economic boost - Albuquerque Business First
• Love 4 ABQ: New Mexico State Fair food, things to do - KOB
• Quantum Week Conference at ABQ Convention Center - KRQE
• Quantum week showcased in New Mexico for the first time - KOAT
• Love 4 ABQ: New Mexico State Fair - KOB
• Balloon Fiesta to host first off-site event with 'Globito Glow in the Village' - City Desk ABQ
• Balloon Fiesta Announces ‘Globito Glow in the Village’ Oct. 6 - Los Alamos Daily Post
• Love 4 ABQ: 5 things to do at Route 66 crossroad - KOB
• Albuquerque unveils art project to mark Route 66 centennial - City Desk ABQ
• Love 4 ABQ: Big Jim Farms - KOB

National

• These Vibrant Cities Show Why the West Is the Best - Sunset
• The 19 Best Fall Family Vacations for 2025 - U.S. News & World Report
• Where to Go: New Mexico (Albuquerque, New Mexico) - Sunset
• The 10 Best Destinations to Visit for Shoulder Season in the US - Lonely Planet
• Where to Go This Fall for Fewer Crowds and Peak Scenery - AFAR
• Post Travel: Balloon Festivals, Tiny Hotels, and Big Flavors - The Saturday Evening Post
• Plan a Romantic Getaway in New Mexico at These Top Spots - The Knot
• 25 Fun Fall Weekend Getaways in the U.S. - U.S. News & World Report
• For the Love of Music - Costco Connection
   

Resources

August Destination Dashboard

August Leisure eNewsletter

August ABQ365 eNewsletter

Sept.-Nov. Conventions with 500+ Attendees