Local Preference

The Santa Fe Community Convention Center is experimenting with more affordable prices for locals. Now, anyone who lives within the city or is acting on business as part of the city can rent convention center rooms for a 20 percent discount. If they book for last-minute use—within 30 days of their event—that discount can jump to half price.

The reduced rates come as a result of a City Council resolution adopted last summer calling on the city's Convention and Visitors Bureau to study reduced rates for renting out rooms in the building. At the time, measure sponsor Councilor Chris Rivera said convention center's prices were too high for locals.

Randy Randall, city tourism director, says his office was already reviewing the convention center's rates.

"Part of the outreach was to make sure we are as available as best we can be to the community," Randall says.

The half-off rate for last-minute events is to help fill convention center rooms that would otherwise be vacant. At their full rates, day prices range from $225 for the Tesuque Board Room to $4,000 for the ballroom. That means a last-minute local booking for both rooms could be as cheap as $112.50 and $2,000, respectively.

Randall says he's recently had locals rent out rooms for quinceañeras, weddings, training sessions and legal matters. His office will soon be advertising the prices locally.

"We're doing this as an experiment," he says, "and depending on how well it's received, we'll continue it."

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