NMHA Newsletter

INDUSTRY UPDATE

February 2021

Legislative Update -

We're halfway through the 2021 legislative session, and the deadline for filing legislation was February 18.

NMHA is supporting HB267 which provides much needed funding for economic recovery. You can let your legislator know how important this bill is to your business and our industry by participating in our advocacy campaign.

SUPPORT HB267 HERE

You can see all the legislation NMHA is tracking here.

Virtual Roundhouse -

NMHA continues to partner with the New Mexico Chamber and the Santa Fe Chamber for the Virtual Roundhouse program which presents important legislative topics every Tuesday during the session. You can learn about the event and see the weekly content at:

virtualroundhousenm.com.

Please note that if you are already registered, you do not have to sign up again. Your registration is good for the entire ten weeks.

A Service From Our Newest Member:

Double Eagle Property Tax Consultants

2020 was a particularly challenging year for the hospitality industry, and we would like to help! There is a good chance we can lower your assessed value for tax year 2021 and save you money on your property tax bill. We have the knowledge, resources and expertise to present a case to achieve the fairest assessment possible.

Our fee is based on your savings, so if we can’t save you anything, there is NO FEE. We are offering a discounted fee to members of NMHA. Our normal fee is 35% of your savings, but our Hospitality Industry fee for 2021 is only 30%.

The assessors in New Mexico counties will be sending out 2021 values around April 1st. Once they mail, we only have 30 days to file an appeal. Contact us today at 505-883-1414, or go to our website at:

https://doubleeaglepropertytax.com/forms/

Send in your forms now and let us try to ease your financial burden!

Access Forms Here

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT -

Visit Las Cruces works to build the Las Cruces area as a year-round premier southwest destination for travelers, businesses, organizations, groups and those looking to put down roots. Their team is ready to assist in all aspects of planning meetings, conferences, sports events, and outdoor recreation activities.

Plan a time to explore the regions Monumental monuments, authentic flavors, unique festivals, unforgettable landscapes, local events & a vibrant culture.

VISIT LAS CRUCES

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FREE COVID TESTING RESOURCE:

The State of New Mexico and Vault Medical Services have teamed up to offer at-home COVID-19 saliva testing for any person who believes they need to be tested, with or without symptoms, at no cost.

To learn about this program, or to order a test, go to:

https://learn.vaulthealth.com/nm/

The sooner New Mexicans are vaccinated, the sooner we can get businesses open and the economy restarted. Sign up to be notified when you're eligible for the vaccine.

Please note that Traveler Accommodation employees have now been moved to Category 1C for vaccination.

PPP Loans Not Working for your Business? Explore these SBA Options -

Small businesses can save thousands of dollars in fees and get months' worth of loan payments paid under a supercharged set of Small Business Administration loans.

These loans are separate from the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loans.

Now businesses that are interested in buying a competitor, purchasing a new franchise, buying a building, purchasing equipment or starting a business from scratch have options that make the pre-pandemic, conventional SBA loans far more attractive — and offer the potential to save tens of thousands of dollars.

Small-business owners unsure of how to navigate the variety of programs offered through the SBA or elsewhere during the coronavirus pandemic can visit covid-sb.org , a small business resource website set up by the Association of Women’s Business Centers and America’s Small Business Development Centers.

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NMHA Committees

You can become more involved with the hospitality industry and shape the industry's future by serving on one of our NMHA Committees. Learn more about the different committees and where you can make and impact:

View Committees

The History of Hospitality

in New Mexico -

Advocacy in 1939 -

Advocacy in 2021

During the January, 1939 meeting of the New Mexico Hotel Association, the members discussed proposed changes in liquor laws, changes to the State Unemployment Compensation Contribution, and a pending Wages and Hours bill.

The board minutes from 1939 state, "It is advised that every member write at once to the Governor and their representatives, writing them personally and asking them not to pass these labor bills that will affect our business so adversely. Also, send them any letters or telegrams that the committee asks you to do."

Here we are in 2021, and the issues remain the same. NMHA is currently tracking bills related to liquor licenses, unemployment insurance, wages and benefits, and more.

We don't ask you to send telegrams anymore, but we do ask you to reach out to your representatives on a regular basis and let them know how pending legislation impacts your business. Please make use of our toolkits to email, text and call your legislators. And, be sure to participate in all of our new OneClick Politics advocacy campaigns that allow you to immediately reach out to your legislators with the one quick click.

The way we communicate may change (farewell to the telegram), but our mission remains the same - to advocate for our members at the local, state, and federal level.

NMHA 2021 Legislative Priorities -

NMHA is working with our members and our lobbyist, Jason Weaks, to represent our industry during the 2021 Legislative Session. We are tracking numerous bills and working with our state and federal partners to ensure that the travel and tourism industry is included and prioritized as policy and funding programs are developed. View our current 2021 Legislative Priorities here.

NMHA is currently working with other groups around the state to amend HB20 (Paid Sick Leave). Your input is important as we work to develop amendments. You can submit your comments on HB20 here.

Industry Resources

NM Safe Certified / NM Safe Promise

Make sure your business is NM Safe Certified and that your employees have made the NM Safe Promise!

Get Certified and Make the Promise

As of December 3, 2020 New Mexico is using a Red - Yellow - Green county system to determine re-opening status. The map will be updated every Wednesday on the Department of Health website.

DOH Red to Green

Public Health Orders are updated frequently to reflect the changing health environment. Make sure your business is in compliance with the current health orders.

Public Health Orders

Why NMHA?

With the constantly-changing elements of both our legal, workforce, and economic environments, it’s more important now than ever for industries join in unified representation to ensure their continued success.

Your membership in NMHA, a nonprofit corporation, is an investment in your own business/organization and your staff, along with the future of successful travel and tourism in New Mexico. Through the variety of programs, events, initiatives, and leadership opportunities, you will:

Be able to network more effectively
Strengthen your research, marketing and sales efforts
Enhance your knowledge and leadership skills through educational programs
Increase your impact on relevant legislative issues
Gain the latest, valuable information about issues affecting the tourism industry
Help focus attention on the economic and community benefits of tourism
Be part of an industry network of support which includes federal and state agencies, other state trade associations, destination marketing organizations, tourism attractions and industry supportive companies such as restaurants, hotels and airlines.

Become a Member