The Tourism Association of New Mexico (TANM) is a nonprofit trade association that works to promote and expand the tourism sector in New Mexico by getting businesses to work together, educating the community about tourism and supporting positive legislation. TANM's vision is to be "the voice of the industry" in relation to tourism in New Mexico.
History and Structure
New Mexico's destination marketing organizations formed TANM in 1987. A board of 39 volunteer member directors runs TANM. These directors oversee the three main areas of business: chambers of commerce and visitors bureaus, tourism businesses, and tourism related programs and organizations. TANM's main committees are membership, fund raising, education, government affairs and public relations. When needed, adhoc committees deal with specific events and conferences.
Membership
Businesses, organizations and government bodies can join TAMN for an annual fee ranging from $135 to $2200 depending on the marketing budgets and number of employees of each company. Benefits for members include support from TAMN lobbyists who monitor and attend government meetings related to tourism, networking opportunities and several conferences. Members also receive a quarterly magazine, bimonthly newsletters and email alerts about key tourism legislation.
Government
Goverment agencies make up a large part of TANM's membership. TANM supports and lobbies the government on several key policies, including keeping the Tourism Department as a cabinet level agency, increasing job opportunities for New Mexicans in the tourism industry, and increasing funding for the advertising and marketing of New Mexico tourism. TANM does not want to alter the state lodgers' tax law, which gives towns and counties the power to tax profits made by hotels and other lodging businesses.
Events
TANM holds a variety of events for members throughout the year. These events give members the oppourtunity to network and meet other people who work within New Mexico's tourism sector. Conferences address topics such as reasearch and marketing. TANM organizes social events for members such as markets and opening days for new businesses. TANM also hosts an annual awards event that celebrates the successes of people who have worked hard to promote tourism in New Mexico.
Achievements
Specific TANM accomplishments include: getting the state legislature to increase spending on New Mexico's Tourism Department's advertising budget and starting and producing the New Mexico Tourism Hall of Fame and TIARA marketing awards. Every year TANM runs the Governor's Conference on Tourism and Trade Show, the state's primary tourism event.
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