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Local marketers ask Gallup council to loosen lodger's-tax rules to revive events economy
Summary
Marketing professionals and media representatives urged the council to clarify lodger's-tax limits and restore earlier frameworks, saying current rules constrain event-driven hotel stays and local marketing partnerships.
Business and marketing representatives told the Gallup City Council on April 14 that current lodger's-tax rules are restricting local event-driven tourism and that the city should work more closely with local vendors to boost hotel occupancy.
Eric Gonzales, Millennium Media's sales manager, presented a service-coverage map and "requested clarification on statutory restrictions regarding the local expenditure of lodger's tax funds." Staff directed Gonzales to schedule a follow-up meeting with City Manager Frank Chiapetti for further guidance. Brendon Rich of Gallup Journey and Dog House Media argued the city should "return to the frameworks utilized in 2024 or 2025," saying "the current regulations act as a barrier to the event economy" and urging greater city collaboration with local marketing professionals and the Gallup-McKinley County Chamber of Commerce.
Council members and staff recommended further review of lodger's-tax provisions and encouraged proponents to meet with city staff to present specific proposals and documentation. The public-comment exchange concluded with staff advising Mr. Rich to schedule a follow-up meeting for more detailed discussion.
