Rio Rancho Rodmaker Competes for $15,000 Prize at Statewide Pitch Event

San Juan Rodworks, a small Rio Rancho based maker of handcrafted fly fishing rods, will compete Thursday evening in a statewide outdoor business pitch contest that awards a total of $15,000 in prize money. The company is one of eight finalists at Adventure Pitch Fest, which runs from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Albuquerque Rail Yards. The fast paced pitch battle begins at 6 p.m. and will deliver a first place prize of $10,000, a second place prize of $3,000 and a third place prize of $2,000.

Organizers expect finalists to present rapid fire pitches before a panel of judges in a head to head competition. The event is free and family friendly and will include product exhibits, food and activities. Attendees who check in will be entered in a prize drawing, creating additional incentives for community turnout and local consumer engagement.

For a small Sandoval County manufacturer, the competition is less about the prize money alone and more about visibility and market access. Winning $10,000 could provide immediate working capital for tooling, materials or marketing, while a strong showing without a prize can still generate orders and partnerships. The public showcase at a high profile Albuquerque venue also offers marketing reach across the state and to visitors, which can translate into higher direct sales and longer term brand recognition.

The contest is positioned within a broader state effort to spotlight outdoor recreation businesses. San Juan Rodworks founder Gary Davis issued a statement through the New Mexico Economic Development Department, noting the significance of state attention for emerging outdoor enterprises. State engagement can shape local economic development by directing attention, networks and occasionally follow on funding to entrepreneurs pursuing niche manufacturing and experiential products.

For Sandoval County the stakes include potential job creation and the expansion of a small manufacturing base tied to New Mexico outdoor tourism. Fly fishing and related recreation draw both resident and non resident spending on equipment, guide services and accommodations. Events that elevate local makers can have multiplier effects in supply chains and across hospitality services, though the magnitude will depend on sustained sales growth and scaling capacity.

Adventure Pitch Fest also serves as an indicator of longer term trends. The combination of handcrafted products, outdoor recreation, and place based small business entrepreneurship aligns with a national shift toward experience oriented consumption and boutique manufacturing. For local policymakers and economic developers, supporting such firms may be a pragmatic way to diversify the county economy and capture more of the outdoor tourism value chain.

Residents interested in attending can visit the Albuquerque Rail Yards Thursday afternoon to see the finalists and check in for exhibits and activities prior to the 6 p.m. pitch session.