NEW ULM — The New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce and Ameriprise Financial, with promotional support from the Heart of New Ulm, are once again teaming up to promote health and wellness in sponsoring the Poker Walk event this spring — and are inviting local businesses to participate.

Organizers are seeking 25 New Ulm businesses (five each week) to participate in the

Poker Walk during the month of May. Each business will be included on a walking route for a single two-day slot on a Friday and Saturday in May. There is no charge for businesses to participate and the slots will be filled on a first-come basis.

“The Poker Walk promotes wellness in our community, but also gives businesses an opportunity to introduce new people to their products and services,” said Rachel Smith, a financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial. “We encourage businesses to have fun with their participation. In the past, many businesses did activities like conducting raffles, handing out healthy snacks and encouraging their employees to participate.”

Last year the Poker Walk attracted 175 walkers throughout five weeks in May and organizers are hoping to build on that number this year. During the walk, participants stop at each business on the week’s one-mile route to pick up a playing card, assemble their poker hand, and then stop at the Chamber office to drop off and register their hand. On the week a business is selected to participate, walkers will visit the business between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday to pick up a playing card. Playing cards will be delivered to each business one week prior to the week they are participating.

Businesses interested in participating should contact Abby Heimer at Abigail.Heimer@ampf.com.