For the past 60 years, the National Championship Air Races (NCAR) has taken over the skies in Reno, Nevada, bringing excitement and economic prosperity to the area.
In 2019 alone, NCAR had an economic impact of nearly $91.7 million. The average attendee was college-educated, well-traveled, and had a household income of over $125,000. So, what does this mean for us?
For the first time ever, NCAR will be hosted in Roswell, NM, with plans to stay! This year’s dates are September 10–14, and Roswell is already filling up. That puts Artesia in the perfect position to share in the spotlight and show off our Artesia pride and hospitality! We may not be the host city, but we can absolutely serve as a support hub for overflow lodging, transportation, and local experiences.
How You Can Get Involved
Transportation
Transportation will be in high demand, especially with so many guests planning to fly into the Artesia Municipal Airport. Whether you are looking for a part-time side hustle or just need a reason to get started, there are a few great ways to make some extra cash. Becoming an Uber or Lyft driver is easier than you think! It can be done in just three steps:
- Head to Uber.com or Lyft.com.
- Pass a background check and get your car inspected.
- List your vehicle and start driving!
Not into driving people around? Let them drive themselves! Turo allows you to rent out your personal vehicle without needing a traditional rental company. Here’s how:
Go to Turo.com to create your account.
List your car, set your pricing, and choose a protection plan.
Start accepting bookings!
Lodging
There will also be a need for unique housing as hotels fill up in both Roswell and Artesia. This is where options like Airbnb, VRBO, and Outdoorsy come in handy. Getting started with Airbnb or VRBO is easier than you might expect:
- Create your account at Airbnb.com or VRBO.com.
- Get your space ready, set your pricing, availability, and house rules.
- Add a few photos, set up payment details, and go live!
Only available during race week? No problem, you can still list your space! And no, your home does not have to be spotless like a hotel, travelers know they are staying in a home. But providing a great experience can lead to positive reviews and turn first-time visitors into regulars for years to come.
Also, if you know of any fun events happening during that week, hop onto Airbnb and list them under the “Experience” tab. It is a great way to promote our local culture and remind visitors of all the fun and wonderful things there are to do here!
You can do the same with Outdoorsy, a platform that lets you rent out your camper or RV for a more adventurous stay. It’s simple:
- Head to Outdoorsy.com to set up your account.
- Park your camper at a campground, and stock it with the essentials.
- Set your pricing, availability, upload photos, and go live!
Each of these platforms focuses on ease of use and provides peace of mind with trustworthy insurance policies, ensuring your property is safe and protected.
There is also a need for temporary workers, from hotels and restaurants to retailers and events. We need you! Let’s make this event worthwhile for us all! This is a huge opportunity not just for Roswell, but for all of Southeast New Mexico. Artesia’s local charm, warm hospitality, and entrepreneurial spirit are exactly what visitors are looking for. Let’s take flight alongside the National Championship Air Races and Roswell to make this an unforgettable event.
Kamili Burnett
Being born and raised in Eddy County, I never thought I’d end up back here, but here I am, and loving it. After earning a Bachelor’s in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management with a Minor in Marketing from NMSU in December 2024, I wasn’t sure what was next for me. But in January, I started my journey with the Artesia Chamber of Commerce, and I’ve been bleeding orange ever since! Although I’m still the newbie in the office, I’ve been welcomed with open arms and already feel like a local. I love this community and hope I can pour into it as much as it has already poured into me.








