New Mexico Tourism Department

The meeting agenda includes the appointment of a member to the Clean and Beautiful Advisory Committee, followed by updates on the Route 66 Visitor Center and Route 66 Remixed projects. The commission will receive a briefing from Visit Albuquerque, an overview of the New Mexico Natural History Museum renovation, and a general update from the New Mexico Tourism Department.

The meeting agenda included standard items such as Roll Call, Welcome & Introductions, and Approval of the Agenda and previous meeting minutes from October 20, 2025. Key discussion topics focused on Route 66 Centennial initiatives, including the Route 66 Centennial Challenge, specific activities planned for Santa Rosa and Gallup, and updates from the New Mexico Department of Transportation regarding Route 66 initiatives. Other agenda items covered Coordination Group Member Updates, review of Endorsed Projects and Tourism Route 66 Grant Awards, and Public Comment.

The meeting agenda includes a roll call, welcome and introductions, and approvals for the agenda, special meeting minutes from February 25, 2025, and grants meeting minutes from November 19, 2024. It also features the adoption of an Open Meetings Act Resolution for 2025 and an amendment to the bylaws of the Route 66 Centennial Coordination Group. Key discussion topics include a Tourism in Tribal Communities Panel Discussion, Route 66 Tribal Projects, Civil Engineering Activities Regarding the Heritage of Historic Route 66 in NM, Route 66 Connected: An Interactive Exploration of the Mother Road through New Mexico, Visit Albuquerque Route 66 Centennial Marketing, and a Route 66 Centennial Subcommittee Report Out. The agenda also includes coordination group member updates and a public comment segment.

The meeting focused on reviewing projects to represent New Mexico in the Route 66 Centennial celebrations and endorsing initiatives that are feasible and align with broader goals for 2026. There was a discussion about forming a subcommittee to evaluate projects more efficiently. The committee endorsed seven projects for submission to the National Route 66 Commission, including the Augmented Reality Project by the City of Albuquerque, the Gallup Summer Indian Dance & Art Market by the City of Gallup, and the Journey Through Time: Pueblo Life & Route 66 by the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Public comments were heard regarding the pre-1937 alignment of Route 66 and efforts to replace Route 66 signage across New Mexico.

The Route 66 Centennial Coordination Group held a stakeholder meeting to discuss various initiatives in preparation for the 2026 Centennial Celebration. Presentations covered topics such as tourism promotion, digital marketplaces for tourism businesses, and community development projects. The New Mexico Tourism Department (NMTD) provided updates on funding and marketing efforts, while other speakers shared strategies for engaging local communities and enhancing visitor experiences. The meeting also included discussions on project submissions, collaboration with tribal partners, and the potential for New Mexico to host a National Route 66 Centennial Summit.