Top HAT Award Winners

Chef Lane Warner - Executive Chef,
La Fonda on the Plaza
Chef Lane Warner's remarkable 30-year tenure at La Plazuela, La Fonda on the Plaza, has been marked by his unwavering commitment, exceptional leadership, and a dedication that extends far beyond his culinary expertise. As the head of a dynamic team comprising over 100 kitchen and banquet employees, Chef Lane's contributions have been nothing short of extraordinary. In addition to overseeing one of the busiest venues in the state, this year, Chef Lane took on an additional project at the Old Santa Fe Inn. Chef Lane not only reinvented the kitchen at the Old Santa Fe Inn but did so with the aim of surpassing modern code standards. This achievement is a testament to his unwavering commitment to ensuring that every aspect of his culinary operation meets the highest standards of quality and safety. His 30-year career left an indelible mark on the La Fonda’s dining experience, ensuring that guests continue to enjoy exceptional meals and unforgettable moments for years to come.

Nallely Garcia - PM Restaurant Manager,
La Plazuela - La Fonda on the Plaza
One of the most remarkable aspects of Nallely’s journey at La Fonda has been her rise through the ranks. She has navigated her way from an entry-level position to her current role as the PM Restaurant Manager of La Plazuela, one of the La Fonda flagship dining establishments. Her ascent is a testament to her leadership skills, her dedication to self-improvement, and her commitment to fostering positive working relationships with her colleagues. Nallely’s ability to relate to her fellow workers and empower them to deliver exceptional service is truly commendable. She has not only excelled in her role but has also taken on the responsibility of being a role model for her peers. Her ability to mentor and inspire those around her is a testament to her exceptional leadership qualities and embodies the spirit of New Mexico's hospitality industry.

Norman Fajardo - Director of Housekeeping,
Bishop's Lodge

Norman joined Bishop's Lodge as the Assistant Director of Housekeeping as part of our opening team. He became the Director of Housekeeping in summer of 2022 and since his promotion, Norman has made significant improvements in procedure; has raised the standards and expectations within his team; and raised the employee engagement and satisfaction scores in his department from a 50 to a 90 within a year. Norman has also developed coaching plans for his managers and supervisors to assist with their career growth and goals. In the past year, Norman has had two internal promotions to supervisor and management roles from his department. He champions his team, and his positive attitude motivates and inspires all of the other leaders at Bishop's Lodge and is symbolic of the industry standards that the TopHAT awards celebrate.

Tucker West - Assistant Front Office Manager,
Bishop's Lodge
Tucker joined the Bishop’s Lodge rooms department as a supervisor as part of a "Manager Development Program" and moved to Santa Fe to begin his career in hospitality. Immediately, Tucker showed great enthusiasm and dedication to both our guests and to his fellow teammates. In March of 2023 the decision was made to promote him to a management position. Since his promotion to assistant manager, Tucker has embraced his leadership role, has been a true asset and brand ambassador for Auberge Resorts, and had a 12 point improvement in guest service scores and a 16% improvement in employee engagement scores. Tucker has been instrumental in the positive changes that have occurred at the front office, and within that team, and the Bishop’s Lodge team is proud to work alongside him.

Visit Las Cruces
The Real New Mexico
In May 2023, Visit Las Cruces rebranded. The new brand draws from the tagline “The Real New Mexico” to emphasize the authentic and rugged spirit of the city, and the campaign used a series of four commercials highlighting the people, landscape, innovative industries, and bold flavors of the region.

The judges felt this campaign deserved recognition for it’s compelling visual images and it’s diverse market penetration. Congratulations to Visit Las Cruces!

TOURISM Santa Fe
2023 Official Santa Fe Visitors Guide
For 2023, Tourism Santa Fe decided to produce a re-envisioned, and user-friendly printed and digital annual guide for visitors that would provide them with a tool to plan a specific itinerary tailored to their interests.

New content in the 2023 Visitors Guide focused on providing even better guidance for the traveler with:

• an expanded day trips section with handy drive time references
• a wholly redesigned Native American spread
• a clever and playful illustrated guide to preparing for your visit to Santa Fe, and
• a section that succinctly highlights the top 15 must dos in Santa Fe

The new guide impressed the judges with its expanded content and creative additions. Congratulations Tourism Santa Fe!

Visit ABQ
New in ABQ
The “New in ABQ” campaign is an Instagram and TikTok video series spotlighting new businesses that opened in Albuquerque. The “New in ABQ” video series highlights the energy of the expanding economy in the form of businesses, especially restaurants, opening in the city, and igniting interest from visitors and locals alike.

The “New in ABQ” campaign consisted of 20 videos posted on Tik Tok and 17 videos posted to Instagram between August 5, 2022 and June 30, 2023. The 20 videos posted to Tik Tok and the 17 reels posted to Instagram garnered a total of 1,603,032 views and Visit Albuquerque gained 34,352 followers across both platforms.

Congratulations to Visit Albuquerque!

There were two winners in the TopHAT Best Digital Campaign Category

Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce
Heartfelt Connections: New Mexico True Digital Campaign
In collaboration with the New Mexico True Cooperative Marketing Program, Clovis used this campaign to showcase their dynamic tourism-facing website where users can explore the Heartfelt Connections and Endless Horizons that await.

Clovis’ efforts drove nearly 7 MILLION total impressions with a strong click-through rate above industry benchmarks! With over 30 thousand website sessions and over half a million social post engagements, this campaign exceeded expectations and showcased the destination’s heartfelt connections and endless horizons, all bolstered by the brand magnetism of New Mexico True.

Congratulations Clovis!

Town of Red River
New Destination Website Design: www.redriver.org
The town’s website serves as a sales tool and a critical driver of visitors that contributes to economic vitality. Of course, visitors don’t’ really care about that stuff. The challenge was to bring the experience of Red River to the website – to have viewers imagine themselves here – to hear the river flowing, taste the dust of an OHV ride, feel the snow of a powdery ski run.

Since launching, the site has experienced a year-over-year increase in users (+67.47%), sessions (+47.12%) and pageviews (48.04%). The new website provides a new window into Red River and the lives of northern New Mexicans.

Congratulations, Red River!

Tourism Santa Fe and SWAIA Santa Fe Indian Market
Promoting a Century of the Santa Fe Indian Market
In 2022, the Santa Fe Indian Market had a major organizational milestone and held its 100th annual Indian market event, August 20-21, 2022. The goal of the “Promoting a Century of the Santa Fe Indian Market” campaign was to have SWAIA and TOURISM Santa Fe co-host a group press trip with national media attendees and secure earned media coverage that celebrated the market’s significant anniversary.

The “Promoting a Century of the Santa Fe Indian Market” campaign resulted in a total of 23 pieces of earned media coverage between July 2022 and October 2022. The campaign’s earned media value total was $757,592 and garnered a total reach of 111,744,494 impressions - exceeding the original goals of the campaign.

Congratulations to Tourism Santa Fe and Southwestern Association for Indian Arts!

Visit Albuquerque
“Red or Green?” Hot Air Balloon
In 2022, Visit Albuquerque designed and unveiled its spectacular “Red or Green?” hot air balloon, a colorful flying billboard that promotes Albuquerque’s unique identity as the Hot Air Ballooning Capital of the World while also celebrating our state’s famous (and delicious) red and green chile.

The “Red or Green?” balloon represents an innovative and impactful special project that has garnered substantial attention and appreciation from residents, visitors to Albuquerque and media.

After debuting at the 2022 Balloon Fiesta, the “Red or Green” balloon continues to serve as a floating ambassador for Visit Albuquerque. Thanks to a partnership with a regional balloon ride company, the balloon flies year-round in several cities, capturing the imaginations of those who encounter it and inspiring them to visit Albuquerque.

Congratulations, Visit Albuquerque!

Spaceport America and Experimental Sounding Rocket Association
Spaceport America Cup
The annual Spaceport America Cup is the world’s largest intercollegiate rocket engineering competition. Thousands of students and faculty represent the best and brightest from more than 150 educational institutions located across the world. The Spaceport America Cup puts a national STEM spotlight on Las Cruces, N.M., Spaceport America, and the surrounding areas for one full week and showcases New Mexico on the global stage as a front-line location for space exploration and space tourism.

Congratulations, Spaceport America!

There were 3 award winners in the Best New Experience category

Santuario by La Fonda
Enhancing Visitor Experience with Luxury Accommodations
In response to the changing needs of customers and travelers seeking more spacious, fully serviced accommodations for extended stays, La Fonda on the Plaza ventured into the vacation rental business.

The 26 luxury vacation units of Santuario by La Fonda are strategically located within the historic district of Santa Fe. These units range from 340 to 2,440 square feet, providing a diverse selection to cater to various guest preferences.

What truly sets Santuario by La Fonda apart is its commitment to preserving the essence of Santa Fe while providing modern comforts and conveniences. Guests are treated to a genuine "home away from home" experience all in the heart of historic Santa Fe.

Congratulations to La Fonda on the Plaza !

Ruidoso Winter Park
Screaming Eagle Mountain Coaster
The Screaming Eagle Mountain Coaster is a 5,100-foot-long ride at Ruidoso Winter Park. It is the first and only mountain coaster in the state of New Mexico.

The Screaming Eagle Mountain Coaster is the newest attraction at Ruidoso Winter and was made possible by a private/public partnership between Ruidoso Winter Park and the Village of Ruidoso.

With the addition of the Screaming Eagle Mountain Coaster, Ruidoso Winter Park is now a year-round attraction that boasts several offerings for visitors.

This project serves as an example of a partnership that builds on existing resources to expand the tourism market and incorporates multi-season activities.

Congratulations Village of Ruidoso!

Visit Las Cruces
¡mira! Las Cruces Festival
The inaugural ¡mira! Las Cruces Festival was a one-day event held on Saturday, April 29, 2023, in the heart of downtown Las Cruces. The event was created to provide a one-stop experience showcasing the diverse tourism opportunities in Las Cruces and the surrounding region. The event highlighted outdoor recreation, history and culture, music and art, cuisine, space, attractions, events, and much more. The festival featured a mix of family-friendly activities by day and live music by night, and shared the sights and sounds that make the city of Las Cruces and its surrounding communities one of a kind.

The event tracked 8,501 attendees through geo-fencing and the PR value was over $12million. Fourteen social media influencers attended the event, resulting in 34 Instagram posts, 241 Instagram stories and 6 reels, and 31 TikTok posts.

The 2024 Festival is already scheduled for April 27, 2024.

Congratulations, Visit Las Cruces!

Routes Bicycle Tours & Rentals Inc.
Routes 'Bikes & Balloons' Tour
The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Bike Tour, 'Bikes & Balloons,' is an extraordinary, immersive experience that coincides with the world-renowned Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. This event, which runs daily for all 9 days of the Fiesta, is a unique and all-inclusive bicycle tour that offers participants the opportunity to witness the spectacular sight of over 600 hot air balloons ascending into the New Mexico skies.

The 'Bikes & Balloons' tour is more than an event; it's a story of community and history, bringing together locals and tourists, inviting them to share in the magic of New Mexico's culture.

Congratulations to Routes for continuing to build their experiences and incorporate community partners to highlight the communities where they operate!

Joani Jones
Crowne Plaza/Oliver Rigby Foundation
This is a new award for 2023. The board felt it was important to recognize the impact of hoteliers and tourism organizations across the state – not just through our economic impact, but through the work we do every day to improve the quality of life in our communities.

We’re excited to recognize Joani Jones for her broad spectrum of community work. From founding and supporting the Oliver Rigby Foundation – a non-profit that collects and distributes used linens to animal rescue organizations, to coordinating the Hospitality Games, to working closely with GAHLA and the APD Connect program that fosters important communication between hoteliers, community members, and law enforcement – Joani does it all. And she does it with grace and enthusiasm and a true commitment to the hospitality industry. She is a true ambassador of the impact that a hotel can have in it’s local and broader communities, and we’re proud to present her with the inaugural TopHAT award for Community Engagement.

Hotel Andaluz
Since opening in 1939, Hotel Andaluz has often been at the forefront of the hotel and travel industry. And it continues to lead the way in the area of sustainability. From being nationally recognized as a Gold LEED certified building, to having 70% of it’s electricity from renewable sources, to banning plastic straws after hearing from some young travelers, Andaluz continues to pioneer ways to innovate and become a truly sustainable property.

We’re proud to shine a spotlight on this New Mexico landmark and their commitment to community! Please join me in congratulating Hotel Andaluz!

Xclusive Staffing
In business for more than 15 years, Xclusive provides comprehensive staffing services for a variety of hospitality and lodging businesses around Albuquerque. They have a proven track record of customer service and commit resources to charitable organizations in the community.

With the staffing challenges of the past years, Xclusive has been a key factor in finding the resources to keep hotel rooms available and guests fed. One client commented that they get as many guest compliments for Xclusive staff members as they do for their own full-time staff, proving that Xclusive creates a seamless guest experience.

Congratulations, and thank you to Xclusive for their commitment to our industry!

Deepesh Kholwadwala
Chief Executive of Sun Capital
With expertise in hotel feasibility, planning, financing, construction, and operations, Deepesh has moved from a successful engineering career to the head of a hotel company that includes Hilton, Marriott, IHG, and La Quinta franchised hotels throughout New Mexico.

Deepesh served as the Chair of Visit Albuquerque this last year and is now the Past Chair. He also serves as the Vice Chair of the Lodgers Tax Advisory Board and is on the Board of the Greater Albuquerque Hotel & Lodging Association Board in addition to being a member of the Economic Forum.

In his work with Visit Albuquerque, he was a champion for the Albuquerque Tourism Marketing District and spent tremendous time and energy ensuring it was supported by Albuquerque hotels and ultimately unanimously passed by the Albuquerque City Council.

Parin Kumar
COO of Ambience Hospitality
Established as a hotel management company in 2005, Ambience Hospitality is celebrating 15 years of excellence, as well as continued growth and success in the hospitality industry. Ambience enjoys strong relationships with leading lodging franchisors including Hilton Worldwide, InterContinental Hotels Group, Wyndham, and Best Western.

Parin and her team have invested in properties in smaller communities across New Mexico and West Texas, providing a much-needed service to those communities who have historically struggled with lodging needs. In those communities, she is an involved community partner, representing the industry and ensuring that each community understands the needs of the hospitality industry.

In addition to her role as COO of Ambience, Parin is involved with many volunteer roles; including the IHG Owners Association, AHLA, AAHOA, a number of lodgers tax advisory boards, and is currently on the board for the New Mexico Hospitality Association.

Congratulations, Parin!

Russell Hernandez
Business Owner and Founding Member 
Experience Mesilla
In addition to being an owner of Salud de Mesilla, Mr. Hernandez is a founding member of Experience Mesilla, a collaborative of businesses that work together to support and promote each other. The organization cross promotes events, specials, and businesses as well as creates experiences for the locals and visitors alike to enjoy.

He currently works with the City of Las Cruces & Las Cruces Public Schools on developing internship programs for the hospitality industry. He is a member of New Mexico State University’s (NMSU) Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management Advisory Board, where he provides insight on the hospitality industry, and is a contributor to the Endowed Scholarship with NMSU’s School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management. Additionally, Mr. Hernandez teaches courses at NMSU as an assistant professor and in 2019 was a recipient of the Industry Leadership Award.

Congratulations Russell and thank you for all your hard work on behalf of the industry.

Liz Martineau
Ambassador Program Manager 
Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation
Liz Martineau has long been a member of the Los Alamos community. Her focus has been on highlighting the history and culture of our community, being a welcoming ambassador of Los Alamos, and promoting the many facets of tourism in the region.

In her current role as manager of the Ambassador Program, Liz has responsibility for training ambassadors and has been involved with a number of projects, including working with the crew of the movie “Oppenheimer”, ensuring historical accuracy and promoting community assets.

For all her community efforts across the years, Liz is being recognized for her key role in moving Los Alamos from being known as the “Secret City” to a valued historical, educational, and recreational tourism asset.

Congratulations, Liz!

Home2 Suites by Hilton
Alamogordo White Sands
Home2 Suites Alamogordo White Sands is a proud winner of two (2) Hilton Brand Awards - Award of Excellence and Highest Overall Breakfast Satisfaction.

The hotel recently completed the request to add White Sands in their official hotel name to drive business to Alamogordo. By adding this into the hotel's name, it is providing free marketing to the city through connections from the brand and the world.

This hotel also partners with NMSU, including collaborating with Courtyard Las Cruces on providing sponsorship to an incoming NMSU student.

Home2 Suites Alamogordo White Sands is an active community member - participating in many community events and services including Alamogordo Community Cleanup, school career fairs and Chamber of Commerce events.

Congratulations, Home2Suites!

Embassy Suites by Hilton Albuquerque
The Embassy Suites by Hilton Albuquerque was selected not only because they are a top performer in the usual hotel performance categories, but because of their commitment to improving the quality of life for their associates and for their community.

They were named an Energage Top Workplace for their commitment to diversity, inclusivity and career advancement opportunities. The hotel encourages community engagement and creates volunteer opportunities for associates with a broad range of community organizations like the Rio Grande Food Project, Best Buddies, the American Cancer Society, and their local high school.

Congratulations to Embassy Suites!