Last week, the Chamber’s Leadership Albuquerque cohort visited a variety of exciting locations across the city to hear from business and community leaders striving to keep Albuquerque packed with destinations and activities for lifelong residents and overnight tourists alike. Participants traveled from the peak of the Sandias to the dugout of the Albuquerque Isotopes ballpark before heading to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center as part of Leadership Albuquerque’s ‘Tourism, Culture, and Quality of Life’ day.
The day started at Sandiago’s Grill at the Tram in the Sandia foothills, where the group had breakfast and heard from Michael Donovan, General Manager of the Sandia Peak Tramway, who continued to provide background and history for the tram on a reserved flight through the clouds and up the mountain. Like the more than 200,000 travelers who take the Tram annually, participants were treated to amazing views of the city and an early look at the restaurant under construction at the peak.
After the flight down the mountain — a descent of 3,800 feet, the equivalent of three Empire State Buildings — Leadership Albuquerque participants traveled across town to the ballpark of the Albuquerque Isotopes. There they were treated to lunch — including a tumbleweed burger that included ghost pepper cheese, a green chile bun, and red chile cotton candy — and an insightful, engaging conversation with Vice President and General Manager Jon Traub and Assistant General Manager Adam Beggs. Later, the class went on a guided tour of the stadium and facilities; they heard about the multi-year process of bringing minor league baseball back to Albuquerque and the branding decisions that have helped make the Isotopes one of the most unique, noticeable, and successful teams in all of minor league baseball.
Next on the agenda was a visit to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, which features a world-class museum, restaurant, and shopping centered around the history and culture of the 19 native Pueblos of New Mexico. President and CEO Mike Canfield greeted the group, described the governance structure of the IPCC, and walked the class through the riveting history (and future plans) of development of the land near 12th Street and I-40, on which the IPCC, Laguna Burger, and several other current properties sit. The class then viewed the thousands of artifacts and artworks in the on-site museum and were able to view live performances of traditional native songs and dance.
After touring the Center, the group heard from Tania Armenta, President and CEO of Visit Albuquerque — who articulated various initiatives and attractions drawing tourists and new residents from around the country to Albuquerque — as well as representatives of several other major local attractions and programs, including the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, the National Institute of Flamenco, and the New Mexico United soccer team.
Registration for the 2019-2020 cohort of Leadership Albuquerque is now open here! Questions can be directed to Marianne Billy, the Chamber’s Director of Leadership Development and Education Programs at [email protected].
Leadership Albuquerque is for professionals at all levels and from any industry. Each year’s roster is composed of 40 individuals who desire to become more knowledgeable about the city and state and be better equipped to for greater responsibility and more advanced leadership roles in their organizations and communities.
