A VERY SPECIAL “SHOUT OUT” IS APPROPRIATE FOR THE HISPANO CHAMBER CONVENTION AND TOURISM DEPARTMENT. THE HOTEL AND STAFF WERE ALL VERY HELPFUL, COURTEOUS AND PROFESSIONAL. THEY TOOK PRIDE IN SHOWCASING THE ELEGANT, WARM, FRIENDLY AND BEAUTIFUL ALBUQUERQUE. MARGARITA PINKOS, PRESIDENT, NABE SANTIAGO WOOD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NABE TABLE OF CONTENTS 16 Promoting Albuquerque 02 Message from the President and Vice President 18 Annual Events and Unique Partners 05 AHCC Board of Directors 26 International Trade 06 AHCC Convention & Tourism Committee and New Staff and Services Opportunties 14 Targeting Unique Markets 29 Advertising 1 The Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce (AHCC) is grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the City of Albuquerque as a contractor for Convention and Tourism (C&T) services for the Hispanic and Native American markets. We are mindful that our efforts are tied to both Lodgers' and Hospitality tax receipts and subject to the terms of our July 27, 2017, multi-year contract with the City of Albuquerque. In accordance with our contract, we are pleased to offer the 2018-2019 Annual Marketing and Operational Plan and we are confident that these efforts will ensure that we meet our commitments to the City of Albuquerque. We are excited that Jim Garcia has joined the AHCC staff as Vice President. Jim’s main responsibility is directing the work of the C&T Department. Jim is extremely well known in the city and comes from a long-established and successful hospitality background, which includes running his training company, HospiTotally, for over 20 years. Jim has an extensive customer service background and has already contributed to many conferences by showcasing his knowledge of tequila and chile via tastings and roastings for conference attendees. Jim adds to our C&T Department’s professional staff and well-established brand. Our brand is based on decades of focusing exclusively on the Hispanic and Native American markets, extensive travel experience and the understanding of the diversity within the Hispanic and Native American communities throughout the country as well as Mexico, Latin America and other Spanish-speaking countries and indigenous cultures outside of the United States. The C&T staff is uniquely qualified to solicit the Hispanic and Native American markets throughout the country and beyond in an effort to bring these diverse audiences to Albuquerque as a destination for their conventions and tourism. Our C&T Department efforts reflect a recent Marketing Insider article by Carlos Diaz, where he emphasized that it’s important for brands to speak authentically to diverse audiences with heterogeneous messages celebrating their unique characteristics. Diaz further states, "Brands have an opportunity to reach Hispanic audiences in their American lives while also connecting with them where they embrace their Hispanic heritage." New Mexico is home to twenty-three indigenous tribes and pueblos, including the 2 Navajo Nation and a considerable Urban Indian population. The AHCC has cultivated our relationships with Native Americans, which is evidenced by thank you letters from the Navajo Nation’s President’s Office following their Navajo Nation Chapter Summit, and from the American Indian College in Denver, Colorado after their week-long conference. This coming year, we will continue our successful recruitment efforts for large Hispanic and Native American conferences, such as the Hispanic National Bar Association Corporate Counsel, and cultivating our relationship with the Mathews family from the Gathering of Nations. However, much of our effort will be devoted to Mexico and Latin America as we partner with the City of Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Trade Alliance and New Mexico Tech to bring students, conventions and visitors from south of the border to Albuquerque. We value our many partnerships with the hospitality industry, and we appreciate the support and confidence from Mayor Tim Keller and the Albuquerque City Council as we promote our great city to the Native American and Hispanic markets worldwide. This, together with our many unique attributes, renews our focus to propel Albuquerque to the top of the list as the ideal destination for Native American and Hispanic conventions and leisure travel. Respectfully, ERNIE C’DEBACA, PRESIDENT/CEO JIM GARCIA, VICE PRESIDENT 3 4 AHCC BOARD OF DIRECTORS Executive Committee Michelle Dennis Eric Mary Thomas Anthony Paul Rudy Hernandez Garcia Herrera Martinez Domme Tenorio Chavez Beserra Chair Chair-Elect Treasurer Secretary Vice-Chair Vice-Chair Vice-Chair Immediate Past Chair Board of Directors Scott Linda Gene Patrick Robin Morris “Mo” JP Erin Aeilts Alvarado Baca Baldonado Brule Chavez Espinoza Gandara Samuel DJ Larry Melonie Sherman Johnny Gary Leonard Garcia Heckes Lujan Mathews McCorkle Montoya Sanchez Sanchez Not Pictured Vivian Joan Joe James Jack Sisneros Jr. Tafoya Trimble Torres Vigil 5 CONVENTION & TOURISM STAFF & SERVICES It’s been 42 years since the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce (AHCC) formed our full-service Convention and Tourism (C&T) Department to promote Albuquerque as a destination for tourism and conventions. The department was specifically formed to service the Native American and Hispanic markets, but has expanded to all international visitors. We are a specialized department comprised of a highly qualified, professional and dedicated team with over 70 years of combined experience. While professionalism is at our core, we complement our partners by embracing our clients as extended family, “familia.” This hands-on approach is a major strength and a testament to our past and current success. 6 Jim Garcia, VP Yuriria Morales, Cecilia Marquez, Bea Davalos, International Destination Sales Destination Sales Markets Director Executive Native American Markets "The AHCC is organized to promote economic development, to enhance economic opportunities and to provide business and workforce education with an emphasis on the Hispanic and small business community in Albuquerque and New Mexico." The C&T Department contributes to AHCC’s mission of promoting economic development opportunities by promoting the unique cultural diversity of our city throughout the country to Hispanic organizations, in sovereign nations and tribes, in Mexico, Spain and Latin America. Services As a result of decades of focusing exclusively on Hispanic and Native American markets combined with extensive travel experience, the C&T professional staff has a unique understanding of the diversity within the Hispanic and Native American communities throughout the country as well as Mexico, Latin America and other Spanish-speaking countries and indigenous cultures outside the United States. The C&T Department provides a number of complimentary services, including, but not limited to: • Convention planning • Marketing and promotions of Albuquerque hotels and the convention • Event planning center at various trade shows • Assistance with registration at events • Statewide brochure distribution (mail and conferences inquiries and trade shows) • Los Amigos Welcome Ambassadors • Planning of spouse and youth events • Over 100 volunteers dedicated to promoting Albuquerque to the Hispanic • Setup of pre- and post-tours and Native American markets • Site visits to hotels and other venues • Assistance with competitive bids (hotel • Coordination of event agendas and and convention center bookings) itineraries • Welcome packets for dignitaries, with • Presentations to boards or planning information on Albuquerque and committees to attract conferences New Mexico and events 7 Convention and Tourism Department Highlights The Navajo Nation has been a great partner with AHCC in many ways. We hold regular meetings with the Legislative Planning Committee and sponsor The International Finals Rodeo and The Native American Championship Rodeo. We have serviced these events for the past three years and have them scheduled for 2018 and 2019. 8 The Sandia Peak Tramway is one of the top tourist attractions in the city that we partner with to enhance tourist visits. When construction on the new restaurant at the top of the Sandia Crest is complete, Albuquerque will have an even more spectacular world- class attraction that we will continue to showcase for special events, incentive travel groups and tourists. 9 While not directly in our market, The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta brings in an estimated $120M in economic impact to the city of Albuquerque. Partnering with Visit Albuquerque, AHCC C&T will bring a cultural spirit and energy as we join the event to host the media tent and numerous Mariachi and Folklorico dancers. The stages will be our canvas as we welcome the world to enjoy the great cultural diversity of Albuquerque. 10 This past year we hosted the National Association for Bilingual Education conference and enhanced the program by adding a New Mexico flavor. The fresh smell of roasted chiles and a tequila tasting were a big hit with the attendees. 11 One of the top events for classic and custom car shows is the Lowrider Super Show here at the Albuquerque Convention Center. The event has grown every year and brings in thousands of guests from all over the country. The two-day event is sponsored by the AHCC C&T Department and we are also involved with registration, sponsors and volunteers. “This is the second-best lowrider car show in the country and we plan our summer schedule around this event.”- Pablo Enrique, California 12 Through our partnership with The Albuquerque