The seven-member New Mexico Tourism Commission - created by state statute as an advisory board on policy matters to the New Mexico Tourism Department – travels to Mescalero for a retreat and meeting Wednesday-Thursday (September 12-13, 2007) in order input to be gathered from tourism industry professionals in southern New Mexico regarding their ideas on how both the Tourism Commission and the Tourism Department might enhance the state’s tourism effort as Chairman Lucero said.

The Governor-appointed commission includes Chairman Al Lucero (Santa Fe), Deidre A. Lujan (Albuquerque), Ted Garcia (Albuquerque), Chris Stagg (Taos Ski Valley), Randy Randall (Santa Fe), Selena Chino (Mescalero), and Bill Hirschfeld (Ruidoso).

“It is an opportunity for the people of Ruidoso, Roswell, Carlsbad and other southern New Mexico communities to meet one-on-one with state tourism officials to express their views,” Chairman Lucero said. “This is the first of several meetings we plan to have in the rural areas of New Mexico, outside of Santa Fe and Albuquerque. We anticipate an impressive turnout and a lively discussion.”

The meeting agenda includes a presentation by Tourism Department Secretary Michael Cerletti and other business to be brought before the commission.

The New Mexico Tourism Department supports the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and encourages individuals with disabilities to attend and participate in this meeting.