Albuquerque - The New Mexico Association of Commerce and Industry, the statewide business advocate, announced today that will be conducting a statewide tour to meet with business and community leaders in 15 cities throughout New Mexico this September.

"This is about connecting with the people we represent," said ACI President Jason Espinoza. "ACI is a unique organization for the same reason New Mexico is so special: from one corner of the state to another, we represent so many different industries, stories, and types of communities. It's important that ACI is standing up for all New Mexico businesses, and we can only do that if we're hearing straight from the people in every part of the state."

The tour is not the first time Espinoza has taken ACI's message statewide. Only weeks after taking the helm at ACI this summer, he hosted ACI's membership retreat in Ruidoso, and has since attended meetings in Deming, Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Las Vegas, and elsewhere.

ACI's 2016 Board Chair Doug Cox said the tour has been met with enthusiasm from everyone he's talked to about it. "Local chambers of commerce, businesses, and leaders throughout the state recognize the important policy work ACI does, and they're excited to host these discussions in their hometowns. This will not be a one-time event: ACI is committed to a statewide presence and representing the diverse needs of New Mexico's statewide business community."

The tour will kick off Thursday, September 10 in Belen. Over the following two weeks, ACI staff and members will make stops throughout the state, to discuss policies that are affecting business and legislative priorities for the 2016 legislative session.

The full itinerary is as follows:
Thursday, September 10: Belen
Tuesday, September 15: Las Cruces
Wednesday, September 16: Alamogordo, Artesia
Thursday, September 17: Carlsbad, Hobbs
Friday, September 18: Roswell, Clovis
Monday, September 21: Las Vegas
Tuesday, September 22: Santa Fe, Taos, Los Alamos
Wednesday, September 23: Espanola, Farmington
Thursday, September 24: Gallup

ACI is New Mexico's statewide business advocate, representing hundreds of businesses and more than 50,000 employees from all industry sectors and regions of New Mexico. The organization develops positions through member-led committees, and advocates for pro-business, pro-growth policies for a stronger economy and better opportunities for New Mexicans.