NMHA Newsletter

INDUSTRY UPDATE

August 2021

Links for more information about articles or programs mentioned in this edition:

Media Interview Regarding Industry Workforce Challenges

NMHA Career Board

Ready NM Initiative

COVID Stops Here

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Learn About Pending UI Changes and Services Available Through Ready NM

If you were unable to attend the August 17, 2021 webinar hosted by Workforce Solutions and the New Mexico Higher Education Department, you can view the presentation here. The webinar focused on the pending changes to unemployment benefits and discussed resources that are available through Ready NM. Ready NM provides job search information, training programs and information to help workers upskill and reskill.

View the Webinar Here

Learn About Ready NM

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COVID Stops Here

The New Mexico Chamber of Commerce has launched the COVID Stops Here campaign to recognize New Mexico workplaces that have reached 70%-100% vaccination rates among employees, and to celebrate employers that are leading the fight against this virus.

Businesses should let the New Mexico Chamber know when their workplace vaccination rate reaches at least 70%. Workplaces that meet the requirements for a COVID Stops Here designation will receive a media kit to help promote their designation at the workplace and within their communities, and will be featured in NMCC's communications and website. You can learn more about the program here.

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SBA Opens Supplemental Grant Applications for Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Awardees

As of August 31, 2021, the U.S. Small Business Administration will begin sending invitations for supplemental awards for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program. SVOG supplemental awards are to be provided to those who received an initial grant and have illustrated a 70% loss when comparing 2021's first-quarter revenues to the same in 2019.

Supplemental award applicants can choose to apply for any amount up to 50% of their original SVOG amount, with a $10 million cap of the initial and supplemental awards combined, according to the law. The supplemental awards also allow SVOG recipients to extend the time to use their grant funds for expenses accrued through June 30, 2022 and lengthen their budget period to 18 months from the initial grant's disbursement date.

Learn More Here

NMHA Board Update

As of August 2021, Erica Asmus-Otero is the Chair of the NMHA Board. Erica is the founder and Chief Executive Office of InPress, LLC, a public relations and integrated media marketing firm focusing on, among other areas, the tourism sector. Erica has received numerous awards including the NMHA Top Hat “Most Innovative Campaign” and NM Public Relations Society of America “Best of Show”. Erica serves as a member of the New Mexico Tourism Department’s Central Regional Marketing Board, the Sandoval County Lodger’s Tax Board, and the Sandoval County Tourism Alliance.

NMHA also wants to thank Tania Armenta from Visit Albuquerque for her dedicated service as our previous Board Chair, setting the stage for success for Erica!

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT -

Whether it's ensuring that visitors have up to the minute information on everything that's happening in Albuquerque or representing the needs of the hospitality industry at the local, state and national level, Visit Albuquerque is at the forefront of hospitality and tourism in New Mexico.

As the premier destination organization for the city of Albuquerque, Visit Albuquerque is responsible for promoting the city as a competitive and world-class leisure, meeting, convention and sports destination, and enhancing its public image as a dynamic place to live and work. Through the impact of travel, Visit Albuquerque strengthens the city's economic position and provides opportunity for people in the community. Check out the amazing work they do at:

Visit Albuquerque

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Emergency Rental Assistance Has Millions of Dollars Available for New Mexicans in Need of Housing Assistance-

Thousands of New Mexicans throughout the state are facing housing insecurity due to the impact of the pandemic. Through New Mexico's Emergency Rental Assistance Program, $170 million was made available to assist households that are unable to pay rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you have employees in need of assistance, or know of others needing support, please share this information.

Learn More Here

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Child Care Assistance Program Expanded as of August 1, 2021

Our NMHA Workforce Challenge Survey revealed that lack of adequate childcare is a challenge for people working or looking to return to work.

As of August 1, 2021 the State of New Mexico dramatically expanded its Child Care Assistance Program. Eligibility will be doubled from 200 percent of the federal poverty level to as much as 400 percent. This will provide much needed support for working families and for workers looking to return to work. The state also announced an increase in subsidy payments to providers which will help child care providers improve quality and expand service offerings around the state.

Please let your employees and potential new employees know about this important development. They can learn all about the upgraded program here.

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2021 NMHA Hospitality & Tourism Conference

We're working on the registration material and the agenda for the upcoming NMHA Hospitality & Tourism Conference. Plan to join state and national leaders for a packed two day conference. The event will also include our Hall of Fame Dinner.

Registration will open in September, so keep an eye on your in-box for updates!

November 16 & 17, 2021

Albuquerque Convention Center

Current Topics Include:

*Using Data to Help Policy Makers Make Good Decisions

* What's Happening in Business Travel

* SEO Optimization

* Digital Branding

* Driving Business Through Outdoor Advertising

* Advocating for Your Business - How to Use Technology and Industry Connections to Educate Policy Makers

* Mental Health in the Workplace

* Developing Workplace Policies that Support Recruitment & Retention

* Specialty Tourism - Tribal Tourism, Agri-Tourism, Wellness Tourism

* OTA Reporting/Tax Collection

* Meeting Planning - What's Next? *Spotlight on Regional Tourism

If you're interested in being a sponsor, or if you have suggestions for content, contact NMHA at: CEO@newmexicohospitality.org.

NMHA Committees -

You can become more involved with the hospitality industry and shape the industry's future by serving on one of the NMHA Committees. Whether your expertise is in finance, communications, program development, event planning, or policy and advocacy work, you can support the Association and the industry by volunteering with our committees. Learn more about the different committees and where you can make an impact. If you're interested in serving on a committee, you can contact the Association at ceo@newmexicohospitality.org.

View Committees

The History of Hospitality

in New Mexico -

Going back to the 1930's, the New Mexico Hotel Association has been the voice of the industry. The organization has decades of experience working with the industry, policy makers, and partners around the country to ensure that the needs of the industry are understood. Some of the key issues that we are currently working on include:

Workforce Challenges - Hiring/Training

The Need for Recovery Funds to be Invested in the Industry

The Need for Increased Investment in Tourism Infrastructure and Marketing

Recognition of Tourism as an Economic Development Driver in New Mexico

Get involved with NMHA, and let us know what issues matter to you!

Ensuring Your Voice is Heard -

NMHA and members of our Government Affairs Committee hosted a dinner for the Legislative Finance Committee members at Taos Ski Valley on August 26. We wanted to make sure that they understood that while the hospitality & tourism industry is starting to recover, we still have work to do. Here are a few of the key points that we shared with the committee members:

New Mexico lags behind neighboring states when it comes to tourism marketing and investment in tourism infrastructure. We need to up our investment in marketing New Mexico as a tourism destination. Tourism marketing has a proven return on investment, and the industry will not fully recover without significant investment in marketing and promotion.

We are still dealing with hiring challenges. We need to develop and fund programs (Tourism focused LEDA Programs, Job Training, Job Recruitment, etc.) that focus on getting people back to work. Businesses cannot return to full capacity until they have a full workforce.

Continued state and local support is needed to rebuild the industry: get federal aid dollars out into the communities, invest in workforce development, promote small business development centers, help small business owners access available programs and funding sources, etc.

Tourism is economic development and it creates good paying jobs in both rural and urban communities. It leads to increased investment in the state which in turn leads to increased property taxes, GRT revenue, and corporate income tax revenue. Tourism also helps facilitate economic development and diversification of our economy by providing base services (restaurants, hotels, large events, small events, outdoor activities, concerts, tours, museums, etc.) that make NM a more attractive place to visit, live and ultimately locate businesses. In order to attract business to NM it needs to be a place people want to visit.

Thank you to our generous sponsors who helped make the LFC dinner possible:

The Blake/Taos Ski Valley

Tourism Santa Fe

Visit Albuquerque

Jason Weaks – The Weaks Law Firm

Nate Mandalia – The Classic Desert Aire Hotel – Alamogordo

New Mexico Hospitality Association

Industry Resources

Be Patient, Be Kind, Be Respectful Posters

(See News Coverage of the Launch of the

Be Patient Campaign)

Employee Retention Tax Credit Presentation

Workforce Opportunity & Innovation Act Presentation

NMHA Annual Report

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NMHA is excited to announce the launch of a new Career Board specifically designed to target applicants seeking a career in the hospitality industry.

All NMHA members may post vacant jobs to the Career Board at no charge. In addition, NMHA is currently offering non-member hospitality businesses an opportunity to post jobs at no charge.

NMHA Career Board

With the renewed uptick in COVID cases, keep up to date with any changes in the state's policies. Public Health Orders are updated frequently to reflect the changing health environment. Make sure your business is in compliance with the current health orders.

Public Health Orders

Why NMHA?

With the constantly-changing elements of both our legal, workforce, and economic environments, it’s more important now than ever for industries join in unified representation to ensure their continued success.

Your membership in NMHA, a nonprofit corporation, is an investment in your own business/organization and your staff, along with the future of successful travel and tourism in New Mexico. Through the variety of programs, events, initiatives, and leadership opportunities, you will:

Be able to network more effectively
Strengthen your research, marketing and sales efforts
Enhance your knowledge and leadership skills through educational programs
Increase your impact on relevant legislative issues
Gain the latest, valuable information about issues affecting the tourism industry
Help focus attention on the economic and community benefits of tourism
Be part of an industry network of support which includes federal and state agencies, other state trade associations, destination marketing organizations, tourism attractions and industry supportive companies such as restaurants, hotels and airlines.

Become a Member