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September 2026

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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. In addition to taking free souvenir photos in our life-size frame, we also will be celebrating the Route 66 Centennial.

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Sept. 22 for the Visit Albuquerque Annual Meeting. We’re excited to look ahead to what’s in store for FY27 as we drive into the future.

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

Visit Albuquerque Hosts Annual Meeting

More than 400 industry leaders, organization partners and community members attended the Visit Albuquerque Annual Meeting on Sept. 22. The meeting included a review of Visit Albuquerque’s and the industry’s performance during FY26 (July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026). Highlights included:

11.9 million overnight and day visitors
$2.8 billion total visitor spending
322,000 trips influenced from core leisure advertising markets
$29 to $1 return on leisure advertising spend in core markets
$143 million in leisure spending influenced from core markets
163,000 meetings, conventions and sports room nights hosted
$83 million in spending from meetings, conventions and sports events

Attendees also learned more about key initiatives for FY27, including a feasibility study that will identify potential projects that can help attract more meetings and visitors to Downtown, development of a community brand for Albuquerque, and renewal of the Albuquerque Tourism Marketing District.

During the meeting, Visit Albuquerque’s Partners elected four new members to the Board of Directors. They are:

Casey Kittel, General Manager, Embassy Suites Albuquerque, representing hospitality/lodging with 15,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.
Dhawal Kholwadwala, President, 505 Hospitality, representing hospitality/lodging.
Mark Herman, CEO, Dion’s and Tula’s Kitchen, representing hospitality/non-lodging.
Prakash Sundaram, CHA, President & CEO, Total Management Systems Inc., representing general business.

Visit Albuquerque also wants to recognize four outgoing Board members. Thank you to Deepsh Kholwadwala, owner, President and CEO of Sun Capital Hotels; Damen Kompanowski, General Manager of the Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown; Christine Lechner, Director of Meetings & Conferences for the American Society of Radiologic Technologists; and William R. Stafford, Co-owner of Sadie’s of New Mexico, for their hard work over the course of their tenure. Their service helped strengthen our organization and advance our mission.

Photos to come after Annual Meeting

Get Ready for Balloon Fiesta

The ExxonMobil Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® is almost here! Check out these slides that will help your team be prepared to welcome visitors and take advantage of the many opportunities this influx of tourists presents. Use these signs to welcome visitors to your business. If customers have questions about Balloon Fiesta, refer to this FAQ sheet. Encourage guests to download the Official Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta mobile app sponsored by Visit Albuquerque. Also encourage your guests and customers to pick up copies of the City Guide for Balloon Fiesta Visitors at the Old Town Visitor Information Center or at the Visit Albuquerque booth on Main Street at Balloon Fiesta Park. The guide includes dozens of coupons.

REACH TRAVELERS BY ADVERTISING IN VISIT ALBUQUERQUE’S OFFICIAL VISITORS GUIDE

Advertising sales are underway for Visit Albuquerque’s 2027 Official Albuquerque Visitors Guide, an essential planning resource that travelers use before and during their visit to Albuquerque. The ad reservation deadline is Nov. 6. Put your business in front of tens of thousands of potential customers by advertising in this trusted resource that is designed to help travelers discover where to stay, shop, dine and experience the best of Albuquerque.

This year’s advertising sales are being managed by Lisa Saturday of Miles Partnership, Visit Albuquerque’s marketing partner. If Lisa contacts your business about advertising opportunities, be assured that she is working on behalf of Visit Albuquerque to help our Partners connect with visitors. For advertising rates and details, contact Lisa at 303-867-8301 or send an email to Lisa.Saturday@MilesPartnership.com.

Network at a Partner Pop-In

Connect with fellow Visit Albuquerque Partners at the Partner Pop-In experience. This event series offers a more personalized networking opportunity, paired with an activity at a local Partner organization. The next Partner Pop-In will take place:

Thursday, Oct. 22
2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Next Chapter Studio
109 Hermosa Dr. SE, 87108

Participants will network while learning about and creating risograph prints. Tickets are $25. Register today to attend.

Learn About the Route 66 Centennial with Revamped ACE Training

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. With the Route 66 Centennial underway this year, ACE training classes now have more content to help your employees be prepared to celebrate and answer questions about the centennial.

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 a free Route 66 Centennial branded T-shirt! Make sure your team is ready for visitors coming to Albuquerque to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Mother Road.

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

Thursday, Nov. 12
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Balloon Fiesta Offices
4401 Alameda Blvd. NE, 87113

The cost is $25 per person for Partner businesses and $40 per person for non-Partners. Take advantage of a special Route 66 Centennial discount and get three spots in an ACE training for $66. Snacks will be provided along with water and coffee. Register now to attend.

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:

Thursday, Nov. 12
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.

KNOW SOMEONE WHO MADE A MOMENT MEMORABLE? NOMINATE AN EXCEPTIONAL HOSPITALITY WORKER

Visit Albuquerque is spotlighting local hospitality workers who have created memorable, meaningful experiences through exceptional service.

We’re looking for real stories of hospitality. Tell us about the moments when someone went the extra mile, turned a challenge into a positive experience or made a guest feel genuinely welcomed in Albuquerque. Whether it was a thoughtful gesture, a creative solution or a moment of kindness that stood out, we want to hear what they did and why it mattered.

When you nominate someone, you’ll be asked to share a brief story or example that shows how this individual made a difference. Specific details help us bring these moments to life and inspire others across our hospitality community.

Fill out this form to nominate someone for recognition. Help celebrate hospitality excellence!

Upcoming Meetings and Sports Events

In October 2026, about 26,000 people will participate in or attend meetings and sports events booked and supported by Visit Albuquerque. These events will generate an estimated $4.7 million in direct spend. Some of the noteworthy events include:

Dates	Group Name	Est. Attendance	Meeting Location
Oct. 3	New Mexico Games Archery	348	The Archery Shoppe
Oct. 3-4	Albuquerque Baseball Academy Five Tool Satellite Tournament	1,267	Jennifer Riordan Spark Kindness Sports Complex
Oct. 10-11	United States Specialty Sports Association Balloon Fiesta Tournament	4,910	Jennifer Riordan Spark Kindness Sports Complex
Oct. 11-17	American Quarter Horse Association Racing Challenge	150	EXPO New Mexico
Oct. 14-16	American Bar Association Environment, Energy, and Resources Fall Conference on Environmental Law	250	Hotel Albuquerque
Oct. 17-18	New Mexico Youth Soccer Association MLS Next-2	713	Mesa Del Sol Soccer Fields
Oct. 18-22	NAFSA: Association of International Educators Region II Conference	229	Hotel Albuquerque
Oct. 18	New Mexico Youth Soccer Association ODP Training/Tryouts-4	1,320	Mesa Del Sol Soccer Fields
Oct. 22-24	Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics Annual Conference	800	Albuquerque Convention Center
Oct. 22-25	Professional Golfers Association of America 17u PGA Jr. League Championship	317	Twin Warriors Golf Club
Oct. 23-24	USA Climbing Yank-n-Yard Competition	2,175	Stone Age Climbing Gym
Oct. 23-25	Albuquerque Baseball Academy Five Tool Fall Finale	2,112	Jennifer Riordan Spark Kindness Complex
Oct. 24	New Mexico Activities Association State Marching Band Competition	9,900	Local High Schools
Oct. 27-29	Renewable Energy Wildlife Institute 16th Wind Wildlife Research Meeting	300	The Clyde Hotel
Oct. 28-29	Asphalt Pavement Association of New Mexico Southwest Asphalt Conference & Equipment Show	600	Albuqeurque Convention Center
Oct. 29-Nov. 1	North American Drama Therapy Association Annual Conference	300	Hotel Albuquerque

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.