Georgia O’Keeffe is synonymous with Santa Fe, Julia Roberts and various other Hollywood stars are rumored to have homes in Taos, and a little-known character named Bugs Bunny many times took the wrong turn at Albuquerque.
For the same reasons it inspires artists and attracts celebrities, New Mexico is an appealing destination that attendees look forward to visiting: unique and beautiful landscapes, agreeable year-round temperatures and a practically tangible vibe that encourages productivity and camaraderie, two pertinent elements of any successful meeting.
The Land of Enchantment’s three standby meetings locales, of course, also sport the necessary group-friendly nuts and bolts, including a variety of hotels and resorts, attractions and activities to enjoy after the meeting, and off-site venues for particularly memorable gatherings.
Albuquerque
Albuquerque is proud of its authenticity, which is marked by a unique blend of Native American, Hispanic and Western cultures. According to Rob Enriquez, vice president of convention sales, services and sports at the Albuquerque CVB, these cultures are evident through the area’s food, art, music, dance and architecture. Albuquerque is also a very affordable meetings destination that offers the amenities of bigger cities, Enriquez says, citing the state’s largest airport, the Albuquerque International Sunport, which is easy to navigate and located less than 30 minutes from any meeting destination in the metro area. Meanwhile, Albuquerque’s high desert climate is excellent for meeting year-round, Enriquez adds.
“We do have four seasons, but they are all mild,” Enriquez says. “Summers have warm sunny days and very pleasant evenings. Winters often provide the opportunity to ski in the morning and golf in the afternoon sunshine.”
The CVB is currently offering an incentive program for meetings that actualize before Dec. 31, 2014. Enriquez says the incentive offers the opportunity for planners to customize an itinerary unique to their group’s needs.
“Some groups may prefer a sponsored break, while others may prefer a complimentary cultural performance, and we will work with you to make that happen,” he says. “Albuquerque is attractive to planners, with more than $200 million in recent renovations and planned developments including hotels, off-site facilities and upgrades to the SMG-managed Albuquerque Convention Center.”
It was announced in September that the Albuquerque Convention Center, which accommodates more than 9,000 attendees, will undergo a multimillion-dollar upgrade in order to attract more group business. The project will include new exterior facades, kitchen equipment, carpeting, paint, lighting and furniture.
Among the area’s group-friendly hotels are Andaluz; the recently renovated Crowne Plaza Albuquerque; Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Albuquerque; Embassy Suites Albuquerque Hotel & Spa; Hyatt Regency Albuquerque; Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town; Isleta Casino and Resort; Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown and Sheraton Albuquerque Airport Hotel, both recently renovated; and Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North.
Meanwhile, two all-encompassing properties with copious meeting space and amenities such as golf courses and spas are Sandia Resort and Casino and Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa.
“In addition to tremendous meeting facilities, Albuquerque offers an array of interesting off-site event venues,” Enriquez says. “From Native American ceremonial dances and music to a hot-air ballooning museum or an Old West-style chuck wagon, it is easy to incorporate Albuquerque’s unique culture and heritage into a reception or special event.”
Two popular off-sites are the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum, which is situated on the north edge of town at Balloon Fiesta Park with nearly 10,000 square feet of meeting space and catering options, and the ABQ BioPark, which combines a zoo, botanical gardens and aquarium in a lovely indoor and outdoor setting, and accommodates special events.
For a fun fact-filled overview of Albuquerque, ABQ Trolley Co. offers an introductory tour of the city for up to 36 people. ABQ Trolley also offers customized tours covering topics such as Albuquerque’s film industry, culinary delights and ghost tours.
New this year, Quiet Waters Paddling Adventures has partnered with New Mexico Jeep Tours to offer adventure tours that allow outdoor enthusiasts to explore all that central New Mexico has to offer, from deserts and canyons to the Rio Grande Valley. According to the outfitters, participants will enjoy wildlife sightings and mountain scenery while on the river, and discovering ghost towns and ancient pueblo ruins during the Jeep portion of the trip.
Hot-air ballooning in the “Hot Air Balloon Capital of the World” is an obvious and exhilarating outing for visiting groups. Attendees won’t soon forget gently drifting with the wind, picturesque bird’s-eye views and the thrill of landing. Area balloon operators offer a champagne breakfast and a certificate of completion at the conclusion of early morning flights.
Santa Fe
Santa Fe is a renowned leisure destination known for its art, Native American and Spanish culture, relaxed pace and walkable historic districts, according to Christine Madden, director of sales at the Santa Fe CVB.
“All of these elements are attractive to groups and help build attendance for meetings,” she says. “Santa Fe stands out for its authentic surroundings, variety of off-site venues, intimate scale and quality of meeting services.”
Among them, the Santa Fe CVB has a new promotion for meeting planners called “Experience Santa Fe on Us.” It offers the following for bookings of 500 or more room nights for three or more nights: a complimentary welcome reception with Native American dancers, beer, wine and local foods; complimentary transportation between hotels and the Santa Fe Convention Center; complimentary meeting space at the Santa Fe Convention Center; and refund of the cost of a site visit after a qualified meeting’s booking confirmation.
Joining the LEED-certified Santa Fe Convention Center in Santa Fe’s meetings portfolio are several group-friendly hotels, including La Fonda; Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza, which has plans to expand meeting space and upgrade guest rooms; Inn and Spa at Loretto; Hotel Santa Fe; Eldorado Hotel and Spa; and Hilton Santa Fe Golf Resort & Spa at Buffalo Thunder.
Santa Fe has more than a dozen museums, more than 240 art galleries and an established reputation as a food lovers destination, and is set at the base of the Rocky Mountains, making it well suited for outdoor activities from geocaching adventures to skiing.
Madden says the Cookin’ Up Change culinary team-building program through the Santa Fe School of Cooking is also popular.
Taos
Tucked away in the scenic Sangre de Cristo Mountains of northern New Mexico, Taos is a perfect choice for midsize groups interested in combining business with experiential and cultural activities, according to Jeanne Kitzman, tourism coordinator for the Town of Taos.
“Typical groups attracted to Taos like adventure, culture and outdoor team-building activities as part of their program,” she says, citing Native American food preparation seminars, horseback riding, llama treks and snowshoe expeditions as popular group options. “Groups interested in sustainability and alternative energy technology have enjoyed our Alternative Technologies Tour for an up-close and personal look at the latest green building technologies.”
Upcoming in 2012, New Mexico will be celebrating the centennial anniversary of its statehood, and Taos is marking the event with a year-long homage to the “Remarkable Women of Taos and Northern New Mexico” (www.taos.org/women), according to Kitzman.
“For this coming year, women’s study groups and conferences would be well-served in considering Taos as a location for their annual event,” she says. “We currently have self-guided and custom multiday tours that could be utilized to create a conference platform.”
Among the meetings-equipped venues in town are the Taos Convention Center, Sagebrush Inn and Conference Center, El Monte Sagrado, Hotel Don Fernando De Taos, Kachina Lodge, Angel Fire Resort in nearby Angel Fire and Red River Conference Center in Red River.
Two among a nice variety of off-site venues for group gatherings in Taos are the KTAO Solar Center and Station Bar, which boasts wonderful views of Taos Mountain and the Pueblo’s buffalo pasture; and Taos Country Club, which offers a combination dining room and patio for up to 200 people and a driving range, which can be tented for groups of up to 750 people during the summer. The country club, Kitzman adds, features spectacular sunsets and 360-degree views of the surrounding natural beauty.
Carolyn Blackburn is a frequent contributor to Meetings Focus West.
