Albuquerque Residents to Consider New Downtown Event Center During Upcoming Town Hall

ALBUQUERQUE, NM, June 9, 2008-- New Mexico First, a nonpartisan organization formed by U.S. Senators Pete Domenici and Jeff Bingaman in 1986, Monday announced open registration for Town Hall Albuquerque: Making Choices About Our $2 Billion Tourism Industry, held at the Albuquerque Convention Center July 17-18. The event will consider options for recruiting travelers to the Duke City, including the proposal of a new downtown major event center.

“Out of a total of 5.1 billion dollars spent by domestic travelers visiting New Mexico in fiscal year 2006, $2 million of it was revenue for Albuquerque,” noted Dale Lockett, President/CEO of the Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB). “Given this number how do we effectively market Albuquerque as a destination? What tools do we need? If we don’t have those tools, are we willing to invest in them? And if we’re not, how do we move forward?”

ACVB has contracted New Mexico First to assist them and their strategic partners in thinking through these questions so that all stakeholders can explore challenges and come up with recommendations to ensure Albuquerque’s future as a world-class destination. “The goal is to develop a broad vision and specific strategies for the convention and tourism industry in the Albuquerque region,” said Heather Balas, New Mexico First’s President and Executive Director.

The town hall will be limited to 120 participants. Attendees should register by visiting www.nmfirst.org/townhalls/acvb_registration.html. A background report will be released next month.

Who: All community leaders, including: those interested in economic development, tourism, hospitality and green industries, community leaders, meeting & event planners, public officials, educators
What: Town Hall Albuquerque: Making Choices About Our $2 Billion Tourism Industry
Where: Albuquerque Convention Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Sponsor: Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau, a non-profit organization dedicated to making Albuquerque a world-class destination
Convener: New Mexico First, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to engaging citizens in policy
Registration: Register by visiting www.nmfirst.org/townhalls/acvb_registration.html or for more information please call 505.241.4813.

Cost: $75 for early registration by June 20th, $100 for late registration after June 21st

For more information, please contact Krista Koppinger at 505.241.4813 or info@nmfirst.org.