My Scholarship Report for the 2024 Outdoor Economics Conference & Expo in Las Cruces

Op-ed by Addison B. Bachman

EXPOnentially is the perfect term for describing the opportunity for the Village of Columbus (and all of Luna County), to match our most valuable tourism assets with the industries that thrive on outdoor adventure, tourism, and a wide range of social causes that aim to protect, preserve, educate, and create public awareness of the riches that surround us.

Day One: Leaving Columbus at dawn and making my way to the Deming Municipal Airport for the first leg of my scholarship opportunities.  Our plane taxied right up to deposit the first flight passengers and load us all up, some quick instructions, and we were off into the yonder. Bruce, our pilot, narrated our entire flight pointing out all the different mountains ranges that would make up the Mimbres Peaks National Monument if the designation is awarded. By all historical data, Luna County stands to gain waves of new support, grants, new jobs, start-ups, and most of all, T-O-U-R-I-S-T-S.

We managed to spot one of the World War II practice bombing targets that are scattered across the region. These are how our Air Force  learned the precision bombing that would soon devastate the German strongholds and airfields. SIDEBAR – Did you know the U.S. Air Force was “born” in Columbus, New Mexico? Read more.

Earthbound once again I had to hightail it over to the Les Combes Winery to meet the tour group for a hike up the trails of the Spring Canyon State Park. As we turned on the road leading to the park you could easily see why the mountain view ahead of us is known locally as the “Sleeping Dragon”. Can you see him lying there from the tip of his snout (facing you), up and over the scales of the backbone, all the way down to the long sweeping tail?

Nathan, our trail guide and narrator. He was obviously well seasoned in the art of keeping a hike moving along, saving the intermittent rest stops to point out topography, and the unique flora and fauna present as you gain elevation up the trail. We had some real troopers that were determined to go as far as time allowed.

Reconvening with the entire group at the base of the trail, we loaded up the vans and headed back to the winery for a tour of the inner workings of producing millions of gallons of wines. Then, a welcomed lunch served al Fresca. A deliciously cooked-to-order pasta dish to replace all those calories we burned on the Spring Canyon hike. Seriously good food folks!

Now refueled and ready to head to Cruces to check-in to my room at the old Ramada Palms, just two blocks down from the convention center. I had time enough to shower off the morning hike and grab a cat nap before the Meet & Greet session begins at 5pm.

With the exhibit hall set for the big day tomorrow, tonight is a chance to linger and rub elbows with the attendees and the exhibitors all the while enjoying the house special “Prickly Pear” cocktail, and a spread of appetizers and deserts. Sufficiently filled and greeted out, I’m ready to call it a day.

Day Two: The schedule today is a ratta-tat-tat of speakers, panels, breakout sessions, lunch and introductions that end with transport by the Las Cruces Electric Bus “Road Runner Transit” to the Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park for walks, dinner, drinks, and sunsets across the expanse of the Rio Grande.

Man on a Mission: Arriving a bit early to get the “lay of the land” in the exhibition hall, I quickly noticed most all the tables in the room were filled with attendees enjoying the catered breakfast, coffee and musings of the event. Amazingly, three tables at the front of the stage were empty. So, not being the shy type, I anchored myself smack dab centerstage. I was determined to take as much advantage of my scholarship as I possibly could. I wanted to hear, meet, and talk to everyone. I wanted New Mexico True and the entire outdoor economic industry to come to the understanding the southern border of New Mexico IS NOT INTERSTATE 10. 

In fact, one would be hard pressed to find a more historically important site to New Mexico and American military history than my little Village of Columbus, NM. And, I can prove it with just one question: Have you ever heard the name Pancho Villa?

Of course you have. The whole world knows that name. Why? See Columbus, NM.

LIGHTS CAMERA ACTION! – The morning opens with greetings from the event organizer Jeff Steinborn. Director of the Outdoor New Mexico.

Outdoor New Mexico is a non profit organization whose mission is to promote the protection, appreciation, sustainable management, appropriate recreational use, and economic benefits of outdoor natural areas in New Mexico, and to promote educational and workforce development activities that advance these objectives.

Speaker after speaker presents their specific interests in promoting the great outdoors of New Mexico. Non-profits and For Profits organizations and businesses provide their insights on how to attract their attention to set-up shop in New Mexico’s cities, towns, and villages.

The speaker that really made on mark on me was Seth Bush, Race Director & Owner, Zia Rides. Seth has dedicated himself to creating the best family friendly biking events and festivals in the Southwestern USA. I’m hoping to get his attention about Columbus, NM’s place in the biking and hiking industries.

Specifically, Columbus, NM is now being accepted as the official starting or terminus to the 3100 mile long Continental Divide Trail. Just the New Mexico portion is nearly 700 miles long as it crosses from the top of the state all the way down to Columbus. NM. Whatyathink Seth?

The key takeaway from Seth’s expertise (and maybe the convention), was how to attract outdoor economic business to your community. MAKE IT SIMPLE FOR THEM.

The Big Ticket – Lancing Adams, Acting Secretary, New Mexico Tourism Department

I suppose I should start here by apologizing to Lancing for my exuberance when my sponsor introduced me to him earlier in the morning. You see, I stand 6’6″ tall, and my wingspan is the about the same.  When I speak passionately, my body forgets I might be terrifying in close quarters. Nevertheless, Lancing gave me my two minutes to make an impression. I’m pretty sure I did. HAH!

Lancing’s presentation was absolutely forward looking and positive for the future of tourism in New Mexico. Especially Outdoors. He seemed both excited and frustrated. Excited at the opportunities available through New Mexico True to provide exposure to each tourism venue in NM. Frustrated because so few of these venues reach out for his help. Slide after slide showed us the potential of tapping into the resources provided by the New Mexico Tourism Dept. 11.6 billion reasons why.

Did I mention I “jumped the shark” in regards to these resources? Yep. A few months back I became aware of a partnership program for each NM city to collaborate with New Mexico True in creating a proprietary website for their specific community. The first step is acquiring a domain name that fits this template “Name of City”NMTRUE.com So, I did. And as I told Lancing, I built it for him. Go read my pitch to him here: www.ColumbusNMTrue.com

A Word From Our Sponsor – It would be a great oversight to not express my gratitude to my scholarship sponsor Jeff Steinborn, the Executive Director of Outdoor New Mexico and the New Mexico Outdoor Economics Conference.

I met Jeff briefly down here at a Columbus city council meeting that had the Mimbres Peaks National Monument designation on the docket. Little did I know, I had just entered the fray between the Pro-designation and the Against-designation crowd.

Apparently he took notice of my online campaign to enlighten folks to the efforts of designating our Mimbres Peaks mountain’s as New Mexico’s next National Monument. Again, I jumped the shark and registered www.MimbresPeaks.com It’s what I do.

Thank you Jeff for your sponsorship, and for taking me by-the-hand to be sure you personally introduced me to as many of the players as possible. Not the least of which was Jeff’s life partner. Turns out, the one person who braved sitting right up front with me, was her. A powerhouse of a woman who also deserves my thanks and gratitude for her encouragement and support. Oh, and for giving me Jeff’s brand new special series Conference hat to wear in the sun at the State Park party. Sorry Bro!

An Open Invitation

In closing this report I’d like to extend an invitation to the speakers, exhibitors, and mucky-mucks to come down to the REAL BORDER OF NEW MEXICO to stay with me, and see it for yourselves. As it happens, my dog in the hunt is my little ol’ Bed and Breakfast. The Hole in the Wall Getaway.

I hope to see y’all down here real soon partners! – BigAddison

Contact: HoleintheWallGetaway@gmail.com