While the entire state of New Mexico is known as the Land of Enchantment, it’s truly the alluring trio of Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Taos at the heart of New Mexico’s meetings-friendly magic. A captivating cultural blend, dramatic natural setting and unique attractions headline the fun, and a variety of event venues and appealing lodgings round out the gamut of possibilities.
Here’s a look at making mesmerizing meetings at these likeable locales, beginning with the state’s largest city.
ALBUQUERQUE
A history-rich bastion of blended heritages, Albuquerque’s appeal is highlighted by a charming Old Town sector—and attractions running the gamut from sublime to spectacular, including some top-tier cultural stops.
“My most recent groups have really enjoyed receptions and parties using the museums and cultural centers [the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and National Hispanic Cultural Center],” says Denise Suttle, assistant director of convention services for the city’s CVB. “I think it’s the combination of the indoor-outdoor spaces, the real and perceived value of the facilities, as well as the great museum collections and visual surroundings.”
The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center serves as a vibrant introduction to the 19 pueblos (ancient Native American communities) dotting New Mexico. Items on display range from pottery to paintings, photographs and jewelry, and a mini-theater adds to the allure. Event facilities include 24,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space accommodating groups of up to 400, and a professional catering staff can even craft traditional “feast day” fare for attendees.
The National Hispanic Cultural Center boasts an attractive riverside campus along the Rio Grande and includes an Art Museum, museum store and extensive rental facilities ranging from pretty patios to modern conference rooms. Tours are available for groups of five or more, with 48-hour advance notice needed by the center.
Suttle also includes the Albuquerque Museum of Art & History and colorful Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque Balloon Museum in her suggested cultural attractions, but the destination features plenty of purely fun options as well.
“Convention groups continue to enjoy the ambience and shopping in Old Town and Nob Hill, wine tastings at Casa Rondena and Gruet Winery, the Sandia Peak Tramway, and taking hot-air balloon rides,” Suttle states. “And specialty groups have taken photo tours to Wagner Farms and Unser Racing Museum.”
Old Town is especially ideal for some unstructured group downtime, between or after meetings and events. This is simply one of the nicest neighborhoods anywhere for people-watching, window shopping or lounging at an outdoor cafe—adorned with countless trees, courtyards and fountains amid the charming adobe shops and galleries. For something a bit more organized, groups can consider an 85-minute trolley tour from the ABQ Trolley Co., or discover the district’s past on foot through a Ghost Tour or History Tour, both offered by Tours of Old Town.
Golf is also popular for visiting groups, with 14 courses in the area that are often used for pre- or post-convention events.
Prominent event venues include the 242,000-square-foot Albuquerque Convention Center and the Sandia Resort & Casino, which offers 228 guest rooms and 50,000 square feet of event space—plus a massive gaming area and several diverse dining options. PageBreak
SANTA FE
Arguably the most charming of our nation’s state capitals, Santa Fe has a grid laid out much like a Spanish city—with a central town square (known as the Plaza) at the heart of it all. And dating back four centuries, the city is also the oldest capital in the U.S. So it might surprise some that Santa Fe is also a bastion of high-quality meeting venues.
“Santa Fe is one of the country’s most attractive and dynamic cities for small- to midsize groups,” says Jim Luttjohann, executive director of the Santa Fe CVB. “Our convention center is state-of-the-art and ideally located, the city’s many meeting-friendly hotels and venues provide plenty of options for planners, and the bureau’s staff works hard to ensure success, which is why we have so many returning meeting clients every year.”
The convention center referenced is a highly flexible, 72,000-square-foot LEED Gold Certified facility that can handle the needs of groups up to 1,000 attendees. The center is located in the heart of historic downtown Santa Fe within easy walking distance of museums, restaurants, performance venues, shops, galleries and 1,500 sleeping rooms. The city is also home to numerous meetings-friendly hotels, with lodgings that make a perfect fit for everything from small executive retreats to groups of several hundred.
For outings and adventure, the city also shines. Museum Hill, just a mile from the Plaza, includes the Museum of International Folk Art—with meeting space and a small auditorium—and Milner Plaza provides an excellent outdoor common area, plus vibrant vistas of the Rio Grande. Old West-style fun can be had at two film set venues in the area—Eaves Movie Ranch and Bonanza Creek Ranch. Eaves functions as a working film set, but also makes a unique venue for groups on the lookout for a memorable event site. Bonanza Creek has been a shooting locale—no pun intended—for numerous films, including Cowboys and Aliens, Appaloosa, and 3:10 to Yuma, and is also a popular site for social and corporate events.
In addition to the likeable Folk Art Museum, there are more than 240 art galleries enriching the city, many of them dotting the handsome Canyon Road neighborhood. The Gerald Peters Gallery is perhaps the most accommodating for groups, with both indoor and alfresco space available. For something a bit different, the Allan Houser Compound just outside the city includes numerous works by the late artist, a sculpture garden and numerous event venues. Tours can be accommodated as well with advance notice.
Yet another intriguing option for a group outing or hosted event is the New Mexico History Museum/Palace of the Governors, with a well-liked museum plus venue spaces that include an open-air courtyard and 200-seat auditorium. PageBreak
TAOS
Nestled at the southern end of the Rockies near the eye-catching Rio Grande Gorge, Taos is an excellent choice for a group looking to get away from it all—without leaving it all behind.
“Taos has been home to people seeking a great environment for creativity and rejuvenation for thousands of years,” says Joanie Griffin, spokesperson for the Town of Taos. “It’s why groups love Taos. You’re guaranteed to have your participants energized and relaxed at the same time.”
The artsy community has a laid-back vibe, but offers endless outdoor adventure, excellent dining and even a number of compelling event venues. A town-wide event using various properties could likely host up to about 700 attendees, but the cozy community is probably best-suited for groups ranging from intimately sized to about 250.
The vibrant arts scene includes more than 50 galleries adjoining the popular Taos Plaza alone, with others to be discovered all around town, plus some superb museums. Among the most group-friendly are the Millicent Rogers Museum and the Taos Museum of Art. The Millicent Rogers Museum, about four miles south of the Plaza, shows off diverse collections reflecting the history and culture of the area—and also offers group tours and a variety of meeting spaces. The Taos Museum of Art is housed in the wonderful former estate of artist Nicholai Fechin and shows off regional works from the early 20th century. It also offers some attractive event spaces for groups large and small.
For groups that want to get creative and make some art of their own, unique raku pottery can be created at the Logan Wannamaker studio just north of town, or attendees can craft a keepsake at the Taos Institute for Glass Arts—where fascinating glass-blowing demonstrations are also on tap.
When it comes to adrenalin-pumping adventure, the only challenge is sorting through all the options. Attendees can enjoy whitewater rafting from numerous outfitters; go cycling via the Taos Cyclery or Gearing Up Bicycle Shop; take to the sky in a hot-air balloon ride from Taos Ballooning or Pueblo Balloon; or even take a llama to lunch with Wild Earth Llama Adventures.
Group foodie fun has gotten even better of late with the addition of a group dining space for about 60 at Graham’s Grille and the opening of Old Martina’s Hall, which is already getting rave reviews for its eclectic menu ranging from French fare to Southwestern cuisine.
When it’s time to convene, the Taos Convention Center boasts about 38,000 square feet of event space divided between 10 meeting rooms. Event-friendly lodgings include the Sagebrush Inn & Conference Center, with 162 guest rooms and 15,000 square feet of event space, and the Best Western Kachina Lodge, offering 118 rooms and 13,000 square feet of function space.
