AVA 2025 Convention FAQ
Let us know if there is anything you need to know by reaching out to our Convention Committee.
FAQ
Las Cruces AREA Addresses oF Interest:
* AVA Convention Site: Monday, April 28 – Friday, May 3, 2025 – Las Cruces Convention Center, 680 E. University Avenue, Las Cruces, NM 88001
* N M Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, 4100 Dripping Springs Rd., Las Cruces, NM 88011
*Welcome Reception – Tuesday, April 29: Attendees will bus from and return to the Las Cruces Convention Center (Las Cruces CC) Busing cost is included in the full convention and the five-day packages.
* Downtown Las Cruces: Saturday, April 26 2:00 – 10:00pm: iMIRA! The Las Cruces Spring Festival takes place. If in Las Cruces come to enjoy music, food and festivities at the main plaza downtown. The “Real New Mexico!” AVA will have an information booth at the festival to share AVA national, local AVA club and convention information.
*The Saturday, May 3 Community Walk will also be promoted where community members could join AVA members for a 3km, 5km or 10km walk downtown. AVA walkers are encouraged to walk on Saturday, May 3 to talk with and encourage new walkers to enjoy walking and the Las Cruces downtown. AVA walk credit available. This is the Saturday post-convention walk.
What are the important dates for the upcoming convention?
September 15, 2024: Hotels available for Booking, see Lodging Reservations
At the Latest January 1, 2025: On-line Convention Registration
At the Latest January 1, 2025: On-line Volunteer Registration by Indicating on the Registration System
At the Latest January 1, 2025: On-line Registration for Silent Auction Donations
April 18, 2025: Last Day to Register for Convention online
May 2, 2025: Last Day to Receive Delegate Credentialing Form
April 21 – 27, 2025: Silent Auction Items Can Be Received at the Visit Las Cruces
April 27, 2025: First Day Shipped Silent Auction Items Can Be Received at the Las Cruces Convention Center
April 28, 2025: (Monday) First Day On-site Convention Reservation at the Las Cruces: Convention Center
May 1, 2025: Pay and Pickup Silent Auction Items During and After the Thursday Night Gala.
May 2, 2025: Very Last Pick-up of Silent Auction Items – See Convention Registration
May 2, 2025: Last Day for Book Stamping at the Convention Center
Use “PlayEasy”
1. Hotel/Motel: The PlayEasy System should get you the best prices under the “Specials” button. Any major chain lodging membership you may wish to employ should get you your typical benefits. “Live Rates” brings up a view of all lodging rates in the area, again membership programs should be honored if you book through here. (Henry wants the end date for blocked rooms Here. I don’t see the date on the AVA Website.)
2. RV Reservations: See AVA Website. Hacienda RV Resort is recommended for amenities and location.
CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY
All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing and may be subject to a $50.00 cancellation fee for a full convention registration, and up to $25.00 for the cancellation of a partial convention registration. You must contact the AVA no later than March 22, 2025, to cancel your registration for the AVA Biennial Convention. Cancellations made prior to March 22nd, 2025, will be eligible for a refund. No refunds will be given for cancellations made after March 22nd, 2025.
All requests for cancellations and refunds should be mailed to:
American Volkssport Association
Attn: Erin Grosso
1032 S Alamo St.
San Antonio, TX 78210
(210) 659-2112
Please direct all inquiries to Erin Grosso, AVA Finance Director at 
@
.
Convention Registration Options
Two options for convention registration are offered:
– Full Convention Registration
– Five-Day Registration (Does not include Pre- and post- convention walk fees, and ????.)
Included in Registrations: Sports Events: Walks, Swim, Bike; Social Events (Meet and Greet, Dessert in the Desert, Gala & HOF Induction, Busing to Walks and Busing to the Meet and Greet (Tuesday); Box Lunches on Wednesday and Thursday.
Lifetime and Associate National members will receive some add-ons.
There is no single convention day registration option.
Display Tables / Booths
Local Clubs, Regional Directors and State Clubs can reserve tables in the booth area for $20 (twenty dollars) which covers the cost extended by the convention center for non-profit organizations. AVA asks that these displays not be left unattended for any great length of time. Tables should be neat, kept neat and staffed during most convention daytime hours. As of this posting tables will be provided on Thursday and Friday based on reservations. Tables must be cleared and materials removed by 5:30pm on Friday, May 2.
Silent Auction Information
A way to help AVA is to donate a Silent Auction (SA) item to be auctioned off during the convention. Donations are your option. They can be single items or a basket of items. All donations are welcome. We regret we cannot accept any items that require refrigeration. Besides SA items, gift cards are a popular auction item, and cash donations may also be given, made payable to AVA and sent in to the National Office in advance, or hand delivered with “AVA Silent Auction” entered on the memo line.
Here’s what to do to record your donation:
Go on-line and enter your donation as a separate section of the AVA Convention registration system. You will be asked:
Type of Donation: “Personal”, “Club” or “Business”
Name of donor and mailing address
Name of Item
Description of Item
Value (USD)
Minimum Bid Amount
Bid Increment
Delivery Type: By Hand or By Shipping
If shipping your item(s):
Once an online SA form is submitted, we will know to look for the shipped SA item(s).
Items Shipped to Arrive Sunday, April 27 – 29: When possible target the delivery of items to arrive directly to the Las Cruces Convention Center, 680 E. University Avenue, Las Cruces, NM 88001
Items Shipped to Arrive before April 27, Should be kept to a minimum, but can be shipped to:
c/o: Albert Herrera
Visit Las Cruces / City of Las Cruces
336 S. Main Street, Las Cruces, NM 88001
This is a courtesy provided by Visit Las Cruces.
Be sure to complete the SA Donation entry on the system.
Silent Auction Coordinator: Andy Thomas, Southwest Regional Director Contact: 
@
Social Events
Tuesday, April 29:
Welcome Reception: Farm and Ranch Museum
4100 Dripping Springs Rd., Las Cruces, NM 88011 5:00 – 8:00pm
Busing to and from the Convention Center and the Meet and Greet included in event cost.
Touring the museum at your leisure is included in the event cost.
Wednesday, April 30:
Dessert in the Desert: Las Cruces Convention Center Learning session and dessert included in the event cost.
Thursday, May 1:
Gala and Hall of Fame Induction: Las Cruces Convention Center
Cocktails: 6:00pm
Dinner Program: 7:00pm
Dinner: 7:30pm Dinner cost included in event cost.
Silent Auction Winners will be announced.
High bidders are asked to pay for and pick-up their Silent Auction items.
Special Programs
* The International Walk starting in El Paso qualifies for a Border Crossing special program. This program has been extended through December 2025, partially to include the International Crossing planned for Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
* Other AVA special programs will be listed on walk instructions, if applicable.
Sports Events
1. Pre-Convention Walk:
Main Date: Saturday, April 26 Start Table, Water Refilling, Restrooms and Stamp on-site. This is a Seasonal Event: Open: April 27 – May 4 to Walk on Your Own other than the Main Date.
Last Stamp Date: Friday, May 2 at Convention Center. Transportation to Event: On Your Own City of Rocks State Park, 1 ½ Hours, 90 Miles from Las Cruces 327 Hwy 61, Faywood, NM 88034
2. Pre-Convention Walk:
Main Date: Sunday, April 27 Start Table, Water Refilling, Restrooms and Stamp on-site This is a Seasonal Event: Open: April 26, and April 28 – May 4 to Walk on Your Own.
Last Stamp Date: Friday, May 2 at Convention Center
Transportation to Event: On Your Own
Silver City, NM, 2 Hours, 120 Miles from Las Cruces Western NM University, 1000 W. College Ave., Silver City, NM 88061
3. Monday, April 28 Convention Soft Opening, University Walk, Cycling and Swimming Available:
Start Table, Water Refilling, Restrooms and Stamp on-site at the Las Cruces Convention Center
These are Seasonal Events: Open: April 26 – May 4 Walk, Swim or Cycle on Your Own
Last Stamp Date: Friday, May 2 at Convention Center, or Saturday, May 3 at Las Cruces Downtown W.
Transportation to Event: On Your Own
Las Cruces Convention Center, 680 University Avenue, Las Cruces, NM 88001 (Home base)
Note: If attendees want to walk or cycle these routes before Monday morning, contact Jerry Wilson at 
@
for directions to be emailed.
4. Tuesday, April 29 Convention Begins in Las Cruces:
Convention Events: Start Table, Water Refilling, Restrooms in Las Cruces Convention Center
Event Stamping Available Each Day
These are Seasonal Events: Open: April 26 – May 4 Walk, Cycle or Swim on Your Own. Complete events multiple times if desired.
Last Stamp Date: Friday, May 2 at Convention Center
5. Two Events in El Paso to Choose From:
El Paso International Walk (One Day Only!)
BRING YOUR PASSPORT and Bring 50 cents & 40 cents Exact Change (Cost as of October 15, 2024 to cross over into Mexico (50 cents) and cross over into Texas 40 cents.)
Only Event Date: Wednesday, April 30
or El Paso Rose Garden / Manhattan Heights District
(Available to be walked on your own on any day, April 26 – May 4, 2025. Main date: April 29.)
Transportation: Busing from and to the Convention Center included in the Full Convention Package and the four-Day Package. Busing begins at: TBD
Note: Those wishing to attend the 3:00pm AVA General Session should take early buses.
(New Offering) Walk both events: International walk followed by El Paso Rose Garden. May return to Las Cruces in time for General Session.
6. Two Events Available on Thursday, May 1 and Friday, May 2, First Come First Served for First Choice, Afterwards Participants Will be Scheduled for the Other Event on that Choice and the Other event the Other Day
White Sands National Park, and Mesilla Valley State Park, One Route on Thursday, May 1, the Other Route on Friday, May 2.
Parking is very limited at White Sands National Park.
Select the White Sands National Park walk option only once, Thursday or Friday.
Note: Those wishing to attend the 2:30pm AVA General Session on Friday should take early buses. Likewise, the Historic Seminar session on Thursday starts at 2:30pm.
7. Post-Convention Walk:
Saturday, May 3 Start Table, Limited Water, Restrooms and Final Book Stamping for Any Event
Las Cruces Downtown – Walking from the downtown Farmers Market and Returning
This is a Seasonal Event: Open: April 26 – May 4
Last Stamp Date: Friday, May 2 at Convention Center, or Saturday, May 3 at Las Cruces Downtown W.
8. Post-Convention Walk
Sunday, May 4 Start Table, Limited Water, and Restrooms
Socorro, NM 2 ½ Hours, 150 Miles (78 Miles from Albuquerque NM, and closer to the week of NM County Walks starting on Monday)
This is a Seasonal Event: Open: April 26 – May 4
Last Stamp Date: Friday, May 2 at Convention Center, or Sunday, May 4 on-site at Finish Table.
Transportation to Event: On Your Own
Transportation (For those without vehicles)
1. From the El Paso Airport
When this convention location was originally selected a company provided daily bus transportation to
and from the El Paso airport to Las Cruces based on advance reservations. This company has since stopped this service.
2. To Walks Outside Las Cruces During Convention Dates (Wednesday, 4/30; Thursday, 5/1; Friday, 5/2)
Busing will be provided to these sites. Driving private vehicles is discouraged because of parking limitations. Busing cost is included in the full convention package and the four-day package.
3. Inside Las Cruces
Metro Bus Services exist. Roadrunner Transit is available for “Zero Fare” (as of October 15, 2024)
Look for the QR Code to check-out the routes or go to the Roadrunner website.
Route 4 has a stop in-front of the Convention Center, goes by or near many hotels, the main transit station near downtown, and through the town of Messilla.
Route 1 will take riders from the downtown main transit station to the downtown plaza, but this is less than one-half mile.
4. Saturday Post-Convention Walk in Downtown Las Cruces
Personal vehicles can drive downtown, Metro Bus Service is available. Roadrunner Transit. As of October 15, 2024 the cost is ”Zero Fare”.
See above for route information, and the QR Code or website for detailed route information.
5. Transportation Between Various Hotels/Motels and the LaS Cruces Convention Center for Those Without Personal Vehicles
– Many hotels/motels are within walking distance to the Convention Center.
– Refer to the metro bus transportation routes and schedule. Roadrunner Transit.
– Carpooling with AVA friends is encouraged.
– Some hotels/motels may have shuttles to the Convention Center, and to Downtown
-Parking at the Convention Center
Parking is available at the Las Cruces Convention Center at no cost. Sufficient parking is located behind the Convention Center.
6. Two Events Available on Thursday, May 1 and Friday, May 2, First Come First Served for First Choice, Afterwards Participants Will be Scheduled for the Other Event on that Choice and the Other event the Other Day
White Sands National Park, and Mesilla Valley State Park, One Route on Thursday, May 1, the Other Route on Friday, May 2.
Parking is very limited at White Sands National Park.
Note: Those wishing to attend the 2:30pm AVA General Session on Friday should take early buses. Likewise, the Historic Seminar session on Thursday starts at 2:30pm.
Water Availability
Having a goal of reducing the need to recycle a mountain of plastic water bottles, AVA is encouraging attendees to carry re-usable water bottles. Refilling water bottles at each of the hotels/motels and at the Las Cruces convention center is encouraged. Remember, this is walking in New Mexico, don’t walk without water.
Weather In Las Cruces
What to Expect in Late April and Early May 2025
Looking at the Averages:
April: Temperature Range: 52.7 F – 76.3 F
May: Temperature Range: 59.4 F – 83.5 F
Humidity in April and May: 22%
Rainfall:
April: 12/100 inch, raining an average 3.1 days
May: 31/100 inch, raining an average 2.8 days
The annual precipitation average: 9.72 inches.
Sunrise / Sunset:
Late April: Approx. 6:20am – 7:45pm MDT
Early May: Approx. 6:18am – Near 8:08 at the end of May MDT
UV Index:
April: Average index is 5 (A UV Index of 3 – 5 symbolizes a medium health hazard.)
May: Average index builds to 7 as May passes. (A UV Index of 6–7 Symbolizes a high hazard.)
Where to Register Once You Arrive in Las Cruces
Convention registration / check-in is at the Las Cruces Convention Center, 680 E. University Avenue, Las Cruces, NM 88001
How do I get information that is not covered on this website?
For questions, or more information, contact the convention coordinator, 
@.
Pre-Convention Events Other Than Sports Events
Pre-Convention events will be held Saturday, April 26:
* Downtown Las Cruces: Saturday, April 26 2:00 – 10:00pm iMIRA! The Las Cruces Spring Festival takes place. If in Las Cruces come to enjoy music, food and festivities. The “Real New Mexico!”
Bicycle Rental during Convention Week
The AVA is not renting bicycles for any convention bicycling events. However, the following information has been located for those attending the convention that wish to rent one or more bicycles for an event. The AVA does not endorse or promote any of these vendors, nor did we knowingly exclude any other vendors from this list:
TBD
- Biking During the Convention Week
If you plan on cycling the AVA Bike Event, the event will begin and end at the Convention Center. Book stamping will be at the Convention Center. Bike directions are available via QR Code or written directions available at the Las Cruces Convention Center beginning Monday, April 28. If directions are needed before
Monday morning, email Jerry Wilson, Chair, Convention Committee at@
Swimming during Convention Week
Swimming Event During the Convention Week
TBD