You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers.
1. What is the role of the Event Manager?
The Event Manager is your primary source of venue information and is available to assist in making your event successful.
2. Who will be assigned to my event?
Once you sign your license agreement, an Event Manager will be assigned to you. The Event Manager will contact you before the event, be with you for your event and follow up with you at the conclusion of the event. The primary responsibility of your Event Manager is to gather and communicate your event details and information to our various in-house departments, to make sure your event is in compliance with the rules and regulations of the Center and to ensure your event runs smoothly.
3. What additional costs can I expect to incur other than rent?
Prior to your event, the Event Manager will provide you with an itemized estimate based on your event’s specific needs and requests. Based on that, some of the following charges may apply: electrical, table rental, staging, cleaning services, security, linens, fire marshal inspection fees, etc.
4. What is included in a meeting room rental?
A one-time set up fee for Classroom (no linen), Theater, Banquet, rounds of 10, U-Shape, Hollow Square or Conference style is included with your space rental. In addition, your space rental also includes: (1) 8’ x 30” head table with up to four chairs and a black drop linen, (4) 6’ x 8’ risers and (1) standing podium.
Additional amenities such as pads, pens and room layout changes are not included in your rental price. To make arrangements or secure pricing for these types of services, please contact your Event Manager.
5. Can I ship product/material to the Center?
The Albuquerque Convention Center does not accept advance materials or freight. Due to limited space, all freight and packages must be shipped to your general service contractor (GSC) and delivered to the Center during designated move-in periods for the GSC to accept.
6. Is the Albuquerque Convention Center a union facility?
The Albuquerque Convention Center is not a union facility but does require the use of Alliance Audio Visual, our preferred A/V company, for the following services:
- Rigging
- House sound and lighting
- Patching house sound
7. Who is the food and beverage provider at the Center? Can I bring in outside food or beverage?
Savor…by ASM Global is the exclusive in-house provider of all food and beverage in the Albuquerque Convention Center. We do NOT permit any outside food or beverage without expressed written consent from Savor. Please contact your Event Manager or Catering Sales Manager for additional details.
8. Can I bring in alcohol for my event?
The Albuquerque Convention Center cannot permit outside alcohol to be brought into an event. However, we do have various types of alcohol and bars that can be made available for your event. Please contact your Catering Sales Manager for further details and pricing.
9. Can you provide specialty meals for attendees with specific dietary needs?
Yes. The Chef at the Albuquerque Convention Center can work with your Catering Sales Manager to provide meals for attendees with special dietary needs. Some of these meals include: vegetarian, vegan and gluten free. Please contact your Catering Sales Manager for further details.
10. Can the Center provide concessions?
The Albuquerque Convention Center does have several built-in concession stands available in the exhibit halls; we can also set up mobile concessions. Please contact your Catering Sales Manager for details and pricing.
11. Who is the audio visual provider at the Center?
Alliance Audio Visual (AAV) is our preferred in-house audio visual provider. You may contact a Sales Representative from AAV for pricing at 505-768-4592. You may also utilize the services of the audio visual company of your choice, provided they have the appropriate type of insurance. See our website for a list of pre-approved audio visual providers. With regards to rigging in our facility, AAV is our exclusive contractor for rigging.
12. Who is the telecommunication/internet provider at the Center?
The Center’s IT department handles all networking and telecommunications. Complimentary free Wi-Fi is provided by the City of Albuquerque. For analog phone lines, high speed internet, dedicated LAN, and or secured Wi-Fi requests for show management, contact your Event Manager or Exhibit Coordinator.
13. Who handles electrical, plumbing and utilities at the Center?
For electrical, plumbing or utility requests for show management, contact your Event Manager. Limited power is available in all meeting rooms through the use of convenience outlets and is included in your rental space. Additional power may be placed in all meeting rooms and rental spaces for an additional fee to ensure your electrical requirements are met.
14. Who handles security at the Center?
The Center’s Guest Services and Security Department maintains 24-hour coverage of perimeter areas, internal corridors and the life safety alarm system. Our Guest Services and Security Department does not provide security for your rented spaces or items left in those spaces. The Albuquerque Convention Center is not liable for any items that may go missing or become damaged during your contracted dates/times. Based upon the needs and nature of your event, show security from a third party vendor may be recommended or required by the Albuquerque Convention Center and will be the responsibility of the licensee. Please contact your Event Manager for a pre-approved list of security vendors.
15. Will the Center secure my room and any items I leave in my rented space? Can I leave items in my rented space and pick them up the following day?
Our Guest Services and Security Department does not provide security for your rented spaces or items left in those spaces. The Albuquerque Convention Center is not liable for any items that may go missing or become damaged during your contracted dates/times. You must clear out all of your items from your rented space at the conclusion of your license agreement. Any items left in the space may become property of the Albuquerque Convention Center or disposed of.
16. Is there onsite parking available at the Center?
Parking is available at the city-operated Convention Center Garage located on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Ave. and Broadway Blvd. or at the city-operated Civic Plaza Garage on Marquette and 3rd Street. Event parking in these garages ranges from $10 – $20 per vehicle without in & out privileges. But the price of parking can vary based on the ongoing event. Please keep in mind, there is a height limit of 7 feet for vehicles to enter the garages.
There are also numerous other public parking garages and lots available throughout the area surrounding the Center. Parking fees will vary. Please refer to the posted parking fees at each garage or lot.
17. Do you offer complimentary Wi-Fi?
The Albuquerque Convention Center is pleased to provide complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the facility. If your event requires secured or dedicated Wi-Fi and or high speed internet services inside your rented spaces, please contact your Event Manager or Exhibit coordinator for pricing and availability.
18. Can you create meeting room diagrams for me to view?
Your Event Manager can create a Meeting Matrix or PDF diagram to show you the layout of your room once your license agreement is complete and your initial deposit is paid.
19. Can I decorate or come in to drop off items the night before my event?
Decorating or item drop off can only be done during the time frame listed in your license agreement. Please discuss arrangements with your Event Manager if extra time is needed.
20. Does the Center provide complimentary directional signage and meeting room signage?
The Albuquerque Convention Center has monitors strategically placed throughout the facility. These monitors will scroll the major events taking place at the center each day. In addition, we also have 12 stationary signs that will display the events for the day. Your Event Manager will place these signs out daily and will also ensure that the monitors are scrolling basic information about your event.
21. Can I hang banners and signs on the walls?
Banners and signs may be hung, but need to be done in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Center. Please contact your Event Manager prior to hanging any banners or signs.
22. Can I use candles as centerpieces?
Yes, you may use Fire Marshal approved candle centerpieces available through our Food and Beverage Department. You may also apply for a permit on a different candle centerpiece through the Albuquerque Fire Marshal’s office. All permit fees would be the responsibility of the licensee. Please contact your Event Manager or Catering Sales Manager for further details.
23. Can I use your lobby areas along with my rented space?
All lobby areas at the Center are considered public and shared spaces. You may use them in addition to your rented space provided they are available and you are following the rules and regulations of the Center. Contact your Sales Manager or Event Manager for further details.
24. Does the Center have a Box Office? Who handles ticketing?
The Center does not have a full time box office; however we do have two existing ticket box offices – one is available on the day of the show (two hours before showtime) and the other is
available in the HUB Office (hours of operation: Monday – Friday 9 AM to 4 PM).
The Center contracts exclusively through Ticketmaster for all ticketed events. For more information, contact your Sales or Event Manager.
25. Where can I load-in items during set up?
The Albuquerque Convention Center has two loading docks: one in our East Complex and one in our West Complex. We also have several loading zones on street level for your use during load-in and load-out. Please keep in mind, vehicles cannot be left in these areas for extended periods of time and must be moved once your items are unloaded/loaded. Your Event Manager will let you know which area will work best for your load-in/out.
26. Are any hotels within close proximity to the Center?
The Albuquerque Convention Center is centrally located in Downtown Albuquerque. There are a variety of hotels in close proximity including, but not limited to: The Clyde Hotel, Doubletree Hotel, Embassy Suites, and Hotel Andaluz.
27. How far is it to the airport from the Center?
The Albuquerque International Sunport is located 5 miles from the Center.
28. What are some of the restaurants within walking distance of the Center?
Downtown Albuquerque offers a variety of restaurants and cafés for your attendees. Some of the restaurants within walking distance included, but are not limited to:
- Various restaurants inside the Galeria (such as Friends, Isabella’s Baked, and Zohra’s Café)
- 505 Food Hall
- Tucano’s Brazilian Grill
- Starbucks Coffee
- Upscale dining in the Doubletree’s La Oja, or Hotel Andaluz’s Lucia
- Fourth & Roma Café
- Slate Café
- Sushi King
- JC’s NY Pizza Department
For more dining options check out this link provided by Visit Albuquerque: ABQ Downtown Dining
29. Does the Center have a Lost and Found area?
Yes. All lost and found items are given to Guest Services to hold onto after each event that occurs at the Center. Please call 505-203-4904 to inquire about your lost item.