Albuquerque, NM

Key Highlights

Hotels	171
Total Sleeping Rooms	26,322
Committable Sleeping Rooms*	350
Committable Meeting Rooms*	33
Largest Exhibit Space	167,562 Sq. Ft.
Largest Ballroom	31,164 Sq. Ft.
Average Hotel Room Rate	USD $81
Average Daily Meal Cost	USD $56
Average Weekly Car Rental	USD $368
*Maximum for a single hotel

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Albuquerque, NM Meeting Planning Overview

Welcome to Cvent’s Albuquerque meeting planning guide – an Albuquerque city guide for meeting planners. Bursting with culture and entertainment options, Albuquerque is also a city of many surprises that will have planners thinking twice before passing over this diamond in the Southwestern desert terrain. Albuquerque ranked as the 7th Best Big City Art Destination by AmericanStyle magazine, as well as one of the "Top 10 Places to Live" by relocateamerica.com. Such accolades surely encourage the three million people visiting the city annually, but tourists are not the only ones reaping the benefits. Eventful.com also named Albuquerque among the Top 25 most "eventful" cities in 2007, edging out big city hotspots such as Baltimore and St. Louis.

For meetings and conventions, the Albuquerque Convention Center provides everything needed to conduct a successful event. This multi-purpose facility has over 600,000 square feet dedicated to meeting and convention space, making it capable of hosting over 9,000 attendees. A modern, attractive and well-planned building located downtown, the center is just a short distance away from 900 hotel rooms as well as restaurant and nightlife options. Free wi-fi access, in-house catering offering custom and themed menus and covered parking spaces top an extensive list of first-class amenities.

In addition to a state-of-the-art convention center, Albuquerque provides guests with a number of venues and activities suitable for private functions. The city's excellent public transportation system offers easy access to almost anywhere within the city. Visit Sandiago's Mexican Grill to enjoy traditional Mexican and New Mexican cuisine. Located at the base of Sandia Peak, Sandiago's offers 3,000 square feet of space and is capable of seating up to 150 guests. Or, for a one-of-a-kind outing, several of Albuquerque's famed balloon companies offer both themed and corporate adventures. Participants in these hot air extravaganzas will delight in spectacular bird's eye views of the Rio Grande Valley.

Albuquerque is also an ideal spot for a trip to a winery, as it is the oldest wine making region in the nation. Spanish missionaries planted grapes in the Rio Grande Valley 150 years before California was even producing wine. Host a memorable and elegant event at the Casa Rodeña Winery or Gruet Winery, situated just inside the city limits.

Affordability has long defined Albuquerque as a favorite destination for visitors and businesses alike. This budget-friendly city was named the number 1 Most Affordable Vacation Spot by AAA in 2007. According to the Runzheimer International Guide to Daily Travel Prices, Albuquerque's per diem of $210 makes it among the least expensive of 15 cities surveyed, including other Southwest hotspots such as Tucson, Las Vegas and Phoenix. In Albuquerque, guests find the same wealth of attractions as in other such cities, but at much less cost.

Albuquerque is a hub for a number of large high-tech research companies including the University of New Mexico, Intel, Sandia National Laboratory and Eclipse Aviation. The University of New Mexico, one of the two largest state universities in New Mexico, is also located in Albuquerque.

About Albuquerque, NM / Additional Info

Albuquerque is a city of fascinating history, culture and heritage. One of the best places in the United States to appreciate the real Southwest, the city is a vibrant combination of several different cultures, as over 70 different ethnicities make up the over 840,000 residents in the metropolitan area. Nearly 40 percent of the population is Hispanic or Latino, with other prominent minorities being African American and Native American. Located at about 5,000 feet above sea level, Albuquerque occupies about 181 square miles between the Sandia mountain range and the Rio Grande Valley. On the upper edge of the Chihuahuan Desert, the city experiences a sunny and dry climate and over 300 days of sunshine per year.

The clear skies and mild temperatures make Albuquerque a prime site for enjoying a wide variety of outdoor activities, from biking the 15 miles of the Bosque Trail along the Rio Grande, golfing at one of several award-winning courses to skiing on one of 30 trails at the Sandia Peak Ski Area, located 30 minutes east of the city. Visitors can also take advantage of the glorious sun and warm weather by soaring thousands of feet over the city in a hot air balloon. Known as the hot air ballooning capital, the city is home to numerous ballooning companies and the Albuquerque International Balloon Museum, where guests can learn about how balloons fly and their use in both recreation and the military. The city even hosts the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Stand in amazement of the nearly 700 colorful balloons in a simultaneous lift-off.

Albuquerque boasts a rich and storied history, reflected in many of its present day attractions. Thousands of years ago, the Pueblo Indians inhabited the region as a complex and sophisticated culture, with advanced language, art, craft and stone work skills. See their notes from the past, known as petroglyphs, etched into lava flows and boulders at the Petroglyph National Monument. The city itself was later established as a Spanish outpost known as "Ranchos de Albuquerque," where early religious settlers built a small chapel and clusters of adobe homes. Explore the present-day San Felipe de Neri Church in the popular historic Old Town to take a step back into the past and see these still-standing monuments Or, to take in these thousands of years of history in one spot, visit the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, which tells the story of the land from the age of dinosaurs to today.

From savory enchiladas to sweet sopapillas, the dishes of Albuquerque are certainly a big draw for any visitor. A mélange of Native American, Mexican and Spanish flavors and ingredients such as squash, corn and beans, Albuquerque's New Mexican cuisine is served throughout the city at famed eateries such as Padilla's and Sadie's. From the restaurants to attractions to outdoor activities, variety is what's in store for any Albuquerque visitor, who's sure to leave with both the need, and desire, for another visit.

Albuquerque, NM Key Stats for Meeting Planners

Time Zone: Mountain Time (MT)
Convention Center(s):

Albuquerque Convention Center

Hotel at Convention Center? Yes
Sleeping Rooms 1 Mile from Convention Center: 1,195

Airport(s):

Albuquerque International Sunport

Destination Type(s):

Golf Destination
Mountain / Skiing Destination
Smoke-free Restaurants

Special Event Venues
125
Population
907,755
Restaurants
150
Country Code
1
Sales Tax
6.88%
Currency
U.S. Dollar
Standard Tipping Practice
10-20%
Electricity
120V / 60Hz
Official Languages
English

Credit Cards and Travelers Cheques widely accepted? Yes

All average costs based on U.S. Government Per Diem rates as published by the U.S. General Services Administration.

Cities Near Albuquerque, NM

	Distance	Estimated Driving Time	Estimated Min. Flying Time	Estimated Flight Cost
Santa Fe, NM	63 mi	1hr	n/a	N/A
El Paso, TX	265 mi	3 hr 44 min	1 hr 50 min	USD $450+
Flagstaff, AZ	324 mi	4 hr 35 min	3 hr 20 min	USD $330+
Colorado Springs, CO	378 mi	5+ hrs	2 hr 25 min	USD $300+
Phoenix, AZ	468 mi	5+ hrs	1 hr 18 min	USD $210+

Albuquerque, NM Climate Information

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg. High (°F)	47	53	61	71	80	90	92	89	83	72	57	48
Avg. Low (°F)	23	27	33	41	50	60	65	53	56	44	32	24
Rec. High (°F)	69	76	85	89	98	107	105	101	100	91	77	72
Rec. Low (°F)	-17	-5	8	19	58	40	52	50	37	21	-7	-7
Rainfall (in)	0.4	0.4	0.5	0.4	0.6	0.5	1.3	1.5	0.9	0.9	0.5	0.5

Albuquerque has a mostly warm, sunny and dry climate all year, with more than 300 days of sunshine annually. However, the region does experience all four seasons, with the difference between summer and winter temperatures varying fairly drastically. December and January are typically the coldest months, with average highs of 48°F and lows of 24°F. July is typically the hottest month, with highs of 92°F and lows of 65°F.

Albuquerque receives between one-half and one inch of rain most months of the year, though almost two inches of rain can fall in both July and August. Spring and fall are the best times to visit the city, as temperatures are mild.

Albuquerque, NM Airport Information

Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ)

Approximate taxi fare: $16 USD

More than six million travelers pass through Albuquerque International Sunport each year during its daily average of 523 takeoffs and landings. Nine commercial carriers service the airport, with Southwest being the largest, serving over half of the airport's passengers in 2007. The airport offers non-stop service to 41 cities across the country.

Designed in a Spanish-Pueblo theme, the Sunport is also an attractive example of Southwestern architecture. Inside, the theme continues with a permanent collection of artwork on display throughout the terminal, including Native American, Hispanic and contemporary works by local artists. Other highlights housed in the airport include an original 1914 Curtiss Pusher Byplane, believed to be the last surviving plane of the time period, and Sunport Serenade, a year-round concert series featuring local artists performing any genre from classical to mariachi.

Albuquerque International has one terminal with three separate levels. The Baggage Claim and Ground Transportation counters are located on the first level, ticketing counters are on the second level, along with a restaurant and a few gift shops. Passengers can relax and wait for flights in the various shops, eateries and lounges, which can be found on the third level, including a Pizzeria Express, an ice cream shop and a sports bar. Free wireless Internet is available throughout the entire terminal. Parking is available at the four-level, 3,400-space short-term parking garage, as well as at the 500-space long-term parking lot.

Airline carriers serving Albuquerque International Sunport

American Airlines
Continental Airlines
Delta Airlines

ExpressJet
Frontier
Northwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines
United Airlines
US Airways

Albuquerque, NM Train Information

Albuquerque Amtrak Station

Amtrak's Southwest Chief services Albuquerque at its central downtown location. The daily route travels from Los Angeles to Chicago, with other stops in Kansas city, Flagstaff and Los Angeles.

Albuquerque, NM Public Transportation

ABQ RIDE

ABQ RIDE is Albuquerque's local transit agency that operates routes on most of the city's major areas along with commuter routes between residential areas and the city center.

Buses

Albuquerque's bus service is widespread and efficient, with stops that include the airport, convention center and Civic Plaza. The city is laid out on a grid system, and in addition to the efficient regular city buses, the Rapid Ride buses provide very fast, limited-stop service on some of the city's busiest thoroughfares (the buses can shorten red lights and lengthen green lights). Bus fare is $0.35 for children ages 5 and older, $1 for adults and $0.35 for seniors. Fare for children under 5 is free. Three-day passes are $4.

Old Town Trolley

The Old Town Trolley takes passengers from downtown to Old Town, with stops at the Albuquerque Museum, the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Tiguex Park. Trolleys run every 35 minutes Wednesday through Sunday from 10 AM to 7:30 PM. Fare is $0.35 for children and $1 for adults. In the free-zone on the "downtown get around" shuttle, fare is free.

Checker Airport Express

Checker Airport Express provides service to and from the airport to city hotels. The shuttles depart from the airport every 15 minutes. One-way fare is around $10 and round-trip fare is around $17.

Car Rentals

Rental car companies that service Albuquerque International Sunport include Advantage, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Thrifty. They can all be found at the Sunport's Car Rental Center, which is about half a mile from the main passenger terminal building.

Taxis

Albuquerque has a number of taxi companies that can be flagged down at the bus depots, train station and airport, but they must be called for pick-ups elsewhere in the city. Albuquerque Cab Company and Yellow Cab are two of the most well-known and reliable. The ride from the airport to downtown takes about 15 minutes and costs about $14 to $16.

Distance To...

	Distance	Estimated Driving Time	Estimated Min. Flying Time	Estimated Flight Cost
Santa Fe, NM	63 mi	1hr	n/a	N/A
El Paso, TX	265 mi	3 hr 44 min	1 hr 50 min	USD $450+
Flagstaff, AZ	324 mi	4 hr 35 min	3 hr 20 min	USD $330+
Colorado Springs, CO	378 mi	5+ hrs	2 hr 25 min	USD $300+
Phoenix, AZ	468 mi	5+ hrs	1 hr 18 min	USD $210+