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As the Albuquerque tricentennial officially ends the 18-month run to celebrate the city's 300th birthday, let me be one of the first to congratulate the team that put it all together, especially Jerry Geist, affectionately called "El Jefe," who headed up the 25-plus planning committees and over 2,500 volunteers which comprised the Tricentennial Committee.

My wife and I attended many of the signature events, including the concerts on the Tricentennial Stage in Tiguex Park, the Air Force Thunderbirds air show at Kirtland Air Force Base with an enthusiastic crowd of more than 100,000, and the gala Royal Birthday Bash and Banquet at the Albuquerque Convention Center, which included special guests - the duke and duchess of Alburquerque, Spain! It's been a whirlwind of entertaining, exciting and informative activities.

From a business perspective, the events also made a lucrative addition to our growing economic scenario. As Geist reports, "Over $3 million to $4 million (from city, state and other sources) was devoted to an advertising campaign to promote the festivities, and as a secondary result, got the `Albuquerque' name out to both a national and international audience." Although the final tally isn't in, it would seem that the tricentennial festivities also helped attract a record number of visitors to our state, adding to what is already being touted as a banner year for local tourism.

As Geist added: "There were numerous other benefits including the coalitions that were formed between the various committees and volunteers who represented a wide range of diverse communities within our larger community. Through these connections, we were better able to understand where we have come from, where we are now and where we want to be someday. We got a chance to see the world through each others' eyes and that will in turn help foster a more aware and cohesive community. We truly are in this together."

One question that was asked of participants throughout this process was, "What do you think is important to Albuquerque and what should we be sustaining?" As Geist says: "Michael DeWitte (deputy director and group manager for public relations and communications at Sandia National Laboratories, and a Tricentennial Committee member) is heading up an effort to compile the answers they received and present them to local government and business organizations. We want to give the community a larger voice in the direction we take this city as stewards of our future."

Geist summed up the value of the past 18 months saying: "It was a wonderful experience. We all saw Albuquerque from a new perspective, almost rediscovering it, and we all realized what a jewel it really is. Best of all we were able to share that story with others and add to the many accolades Albuquerque and New Mexico are receiving nationally."

Be sure to attend the final tricentennial event Friday evening, Oct. 6, at Balloon Fiesta Park. There will be three bands; Los Gigantes, giant puppets created for the tricentennial; and a video review of tricentennial events. The evening will end with a light show and fireworks. Events begin at 6 p.m., and the gates open at 4 p.m. Parking and admission are free.

Also, be sure to visit the tricentennial's Web site at www.albuquerque300.org to review some of the informative materials that are available, including two Teacher's Resource Guides with nearly 300 pages of materials that make a fun read of our local history beginning with a story about how the Sandias and the Rio Grande Valley were formed. You'll also find the "Albuquerque Poem" by Debbie Eagan and the "Albuquerque Song" by Tom Ross, and a wide range of tricentennial memorabilia and souvenirs.

Thanks to the Tricentennial Committee for a wonderful birthday celebration for all.

Sacco is vice president of marketing at Kirtland Federal Credit Union, and an adjunct professor at the University of New Mexico Anderson Schools of Management and at Webster University.