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Natural Venues Guide Convention Centers Guide SITE SELECTION GUIDE | NEW MEXICO Search for CVBs, sports commissions & sports facilities at www.sportseventsmagazine.com
BMX racing in Las Cruces
New Mexico is known as the Land of Enchantment thanks to its distinctive culture, scenic vistas and rich history. It's these characteris- tics—combined with its excellent climate and facilities—that make the state a unique backdrop for most any event, according to state tourism officials.
"The mild weather and the excellent facilities make New Mexico appealing as a sports destination," said Noah Trujillo, marketing manager for the New Mexico Tourism Department. "The high altitude makes runners and cyclists want to train here. It is not uncommon for world-class runners and cyclists to be training in and around New Mexico."
What's Going On…
INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a world-renowned event that draws thousands of people every year to watch more than 700 spectacular hot air balloons take flight in the New Mexico sky. The largest ballooning event in the world, the fiesta has been going on for 30 years and is held at the custom-designed 365-acre Balloon Fiesta Park. This year, the fiesta will be held Oct. 6 through 14. www.balloonfiesta.com
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Albuquerque Albuquerque is located in central New Mexico and boasts 310 days of sun- shine a year. "We're a really unique spot based on weather and altitude, as we are a mile high," said Dan Ballou of the Albuquerque CVB. "We are in the high desert, so we suffer very few delays in tournaments and events due to weather. We like to say that events are always a go here."
Thanks to the dedication and hard
work of the CVB, the USA Track and Field Indoor National Championships moved to Albuquerque for a three-year commitment from 2010 to 2013 from the East Coast. "It rotated from Madison Square Gardens to Boston the few years before it came here," Ballou said. "We were able to get it here, away
from the heavy media markets of the East Coast, and we have done such a good job with it that we've extended the contract another two years through 2014. I think that speaks volumes for
the level of service we provide." Hotel rooms: 17,000 Hotel tax: Approximately 11 percent Fields & facilities: 80+ fields that
can be used for soccer, rugby, lacrosse, or football, 25 softball fields, 60 base- ball fields, 70 basketball courts, more than 70 tennis courts, 12 pools, two ice rinks, 20 golf courses, a covered BMX park, a shooting range and a 200-meter
banked Mondo-surfaced track. Convention center: The 600,000- square foot Albuquerque Convention Center offers 100,000 square feet of contiguous, column-free space and ➤
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Las Cruces CVB ▼
International Balloon Fiesta