Mescalero, New Mexico - 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 and the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino for a retreat and meeting Wednesday-Thursday (September 12-13, 2007).
 
The meeting is September 13, 2007, 9 a.m.-noon. The Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino is located on Carrizo Canyon Road off US 70, just south of Ruidoso.
 
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).
 
Chairman Lucero said the purpose of the meeting is to gather input 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.
 
“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.