UNM says that the largest Powwow in the United States is costing them money. So, they ended their contract with the organizers of the "Gathering of Nations" (GON). UNM lost $2,400 from clean up costs in 2015. They charge the GON each year a flat-rate-fee to rent THE PIT arena. There is no report saying UNM got any percentage of the profits from the Powwow. The Rodeo Bull Riding Championships gave UNM percentages from ticket sales & they received more than $200,000.
The GON is looking at other venues & the general manger of "EXPO New Mexico" wants the GON to head over to Tingley Coliseum in 2017. The manager gave the GON a tour & the meeting went well. Tingley hosted the National Indian Finals Rodeo for decades. The coliseum is spacious & wide as THE PIT was a tight fit for 3,000 Powwow dancers during each Grand Entry.
The GON powwow brings in an estimated $22 million dollars to the Albuquerque economy each year. It is a boon for local food vendors inside THE PIT & that includes UNM whose food grabs huge sales every year.
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