This year’s Top HAT (Hospitality and Tourism) awards gala took place Nov. 18 in Albuquerque where Las Cruces represented the region with two winners and several finalists.
Every year the New Mexico Hospitality Association hosts a gala where industry professionals and supporters gather to celebrate the incredible work done to elevate and improve the tourism and hospitality industry in New Mexico. Las Cruces took home its first win for “Best Print Campaign” under the marketing category. The award was given to the 2025 Visit Las Cruces Official Visitors Guide which was created, written and executed in-house with the help of NMCO Studio for the graphic design and cover. The guide is an engaging, colorful, informational and advertisement-free resource for visitors to take home and industry partners to share and utilize in their establishments. It features everything one needs when visiting Las Cruces such as restaurant and hotel highlights, shopping suggestions, annual can’t-miss events, staff picks and a gorgeous cover featuring a local mural.
The second award received was for “Outstanding Event” in product developement and was awarded to Friends of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks for their annual DangerBird event. DangerBird is a bikepacking event done to kick-off the Monumental Loop, a 250-mile route that connects all four parts of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument. The event welcomes all riders to join for a wonderful experience as the community gathers to celebrate the natural beauty the monument offers Las Cruces and its surrounding areas. DangerBird helps bolster support and admiration for outdoor recreation and the protection of public lands.
In addition to the two winners, Las Cruces had a number of finalists make their mark this year. Finalists from Las Cruces included:
The Real New Mexico series for “Most Innovative Campaign” by Visit Las Cruces. The Real New Mexico series showcases the region in a way that appeals to different aspects of Las Cruces so viewers may get an authentic taste of the region. The series is available to watch on YouTube.
Liz Vega, Event Manager for “Tour
ism Professional of The Year.” As the event manager for Visit Las Cruces, Liz Vega contributes greatly to the community with her assistance in bringing events to life and her consultation to improve community gatherings. Vega’s contributions to events such as the Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally, the Southern New Mexico Book Festival and the upcoming Las Cruces Holiday Market aid both Las Cruces and the southern New Mexico region.
2025 Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally for the “Best New Experience” award. The Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally was revived earlier this year allowing hot air balloons to hit Las Cruces skies after 14 years.
Las Cruces International Film Festival for the “Outstanding Event” award. As the largest student-run festival of its kind, the Las Cruces International Film Festival brings film buffs to the region to share their experience, knowledge, connections and overall love and adoration for filmmaking. Film lovers from around the world come together to enjoy this annual showcase.