A joint marketing effort to promote locals and travelers to buy local kicked-off Monday, April 2 with some live entertainment. For the second year in a row, New Mexico True joined Avila Retail inside the Albuquerque Sunport to showcase New Mexico True Certified partners and their products but this year store owners wanted to add more New Mexico True merchandise.
“Sales last year were $2.2 million,” co-owner, John Avila said, “we have 22 people who are New Mexico True Certified.”
Since 2017, Avila has been a valued New Mexico True Certified partner. It wasn’t until early April 2018 Avila started selling New Mexico True gear, not specific to NMTC products. But, NMTC partners were literally at the forefront with weekly product demonstrations every Wednesday, such as watching artists paint masterpieces or tasting New Mexico’s state cookie. Merchandise sales and product demos will last until May 31, 2018.
“We think it’s something that is going to enhance, even further, the experience for travelers at the Sunport and in New Mexico,” Tourism Department Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Latham said. The Albuquerque Sunport’s Director of Aviation, Nyika Allen, agreed by stating the partnership is an economic driver for a healthy economy in New Mexico.
See coverage of the kickoff event as covered by KRQE here.