General Manager, Las Cruces Convention Center

Gregory Wagner graduated from New Mexico State University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Home Economics specializing in Hospitality and Tourism Services, aka Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management (HRTM). He was one of the first graduating classes from the newly formed department.

Gregory worked as student employee at the Pan American Center under the direction of Barbara Hubbard. While he was there, he learned all areas of the entertainment/event business from box office to artist catering. With mentorship from Priscilla Bloomquist, he realized that the Pan American Center was the perfect extension into the hospitality industry and he did not need to work for a hotel chain to be successful.

From there Gregory launched his career working for the University of New Orleans Lakefront Arena. He continued his career path in university entertainment venues working for the University of Texas at El Paso and George Mason University. Some of the more interesting career highlights for Gregory include working for the Lonestar Park for Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse Racing at Grand Prairie, Texas. He was there in the planning stages and helped coordinate hosting the Breeder’s Cup Race. He also worked for Feld Entertainment, parent company to Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus, Disney on Ice, and Feld Motorsports. Later he transitioned to non-profit administration working for Seabury Resources for Aging in Washington, DC that provided services and housing options for older adults.

Gregory and his spouse moved back to New Mexico in the spring of 2021 to be closer to family and the area where it all began. He became Director of Sales and Marketing of the Las Cruces Convention Center tasked to bring in new and repeat business to kickstart the center after the Covid-19 pandemic. Gregory was promoted to general manager in 2023. His goal is to make the center a destination for organizations, clubs, businesses, and individuals by providing excellent customer service. In fiscal year 2025, the center had over 40,000 visitors bringing in sales of $1.4 million. Gregory is part of the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce and has participated in their Leadership Program.

He contributes to HRTM by being a member of the HRTM Board of Advisors and providing internships opportunities for students enrolled in the program. He feels this is his opportunity to give back to a program that helped him launch his career. Gregory feels very privileged to be able to go back to where it all began and hopes he can inspire, mentor, and motivate future students of HRTM and New Mexico State University. He is the HRTM Outstanding Alumni for 2025.