Remember to tell your friends about the sights you saw

There are probably a lot of concessionaires and Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta workers who are sleeping in this morning.

Sunday wrapped up the 2024 Fiesta, and this week's edition of Outlook is one last effort to cover New Mexico's signature event. Our cover story is a collection of stories about the business of ballooning.

Assistant Business Editor Megan Gleason dug into the decision behind ExxonMobil becoming the title sponsor of the Fiesta starting in 2025. The company has been a sponsor powering the Fiesta for years. Next year, the name of the Fiesta will be the ExxonMobil Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

She also reported on a cautionary tale from environmental groups, who warn that climate change could disrupt flying at the Fiesta and Albuquerque's famous "box" weather pattern.

I reported on Rainbow Ryders, the lone commercial balloon flying outfit that flies from Balloon Fiesta Park during the Fiesta. Troy Bradley, the chief pilot, said the company didn't miss a beat this year after is its founder and CEO, Scott Appelman, died in August at the age of 66.

Reporter Allison Carpenter spent several days at the Fiesta. She reported on longtime concession stand owners who have made the Fiesta a family affair. She tracked down several small businesses who have been selling burritos, green chile cheeseburgers and other Fiesta staples for generations.

The impact that the Fiesta has on those small businesses, and the Albuquerque economy, can't be overstated.

An economic impact report found that the 2022 Balloon Fiesta drew 828,800 guests to the park over the nine-day event, including 619,890, or 76%, who were from out of state.

It had a $203 million economic impact on the state, including $119.5 million in direct spending and $83.7 million in indirect impact.

And for those concession stands, the average Fiesta guest spent $27 on concessions.

From my firsthand experience, I think one of the biggest benefits of the Fiesta is that it puts Albuquerque on the national map.

I've hosted my parents and friends for Fiesta in year's past. My best friend, who visited from Denver, was originally a little perplexed at the concept when I told him we'd have to get up at 4 a.m. to start the drive.

He and his wife were amazed after the first balloon took off during Dawn Patrol. We ended up going to a morning and evening event.

But what also happened, is that both my friend and his wife told their parents that the event was worth seeing, and in recent years both of those families have made the trek to Albuquerque to take in the views.

So for anyone traveling back home today, tell your friends about us.