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‘Our story is worth telling’

Chamber program talks about making most of tourist season

By Clay Schuldt 5 min read

NEW ULM -- Stakeholders in New Ulm's tourism industry gathered Wednesday at Turner Hall to share information and plan for the upcoming season of tourist visits to the community.

The event was organized by the New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce. Chamber President Sarah Warmka said all tourist partners were invited to the event to share and get excited about the season.

One of the goals was to create cross-promotion among different businesses and organizations. Warmka said as an example, the local Bed & Breakfasts can tell guests about community events or other area attractions.

Each tourism partner was able to give a quick promotion during the luncheon to give an update on activities during this tourism season.

Convention and Visitors Bureau Chairwoman Denise Fischer said the goal of the CVB was to maximize travel to New Ulm with an emphasis on overnight stays. Overnight stays bring in extra funding through the lodging tax.

Fischer said most marketing takes place 60 miles from New Ulm to draw visitors to stay over in the town. Fischer said 35,000 copies of the New Ulm Guide were published. The guides are given throughout visitor centers in Minnesota and mailed out as requested.

"We get a lot of requests," Fischer said.

The CVB and Chamber are currently working on a new website tailored for tourists with a separate lodging tab.

"Our story is worth telling because of all you do and what you do," Fischer said. "We want to raise us all together."

Brad Krueger of Concordia Lanes/Kegel Klub said this summer they will be hosting wedding receptions, bowling leagues and volleyball leagues.

Paula Marti of Morgan Creek Vineyard said this year marked 25 years in business and they would celebrate all year.

A full schedule of events starting with Maifest on Saturday, May 6. Every weekend the vineyard hosts a Friday night wine-down event. Saturday nights host jazz nights.

TJ Campbell with Turner Hall said they will be hosting the National Turner Hall festival. Approximately 1,500 to 2,000 participants are expected to attend during the last week of July. Turner Hall restaurant is open Wednesday through Sunday with Monday and Tuesday as office days. People are allowed to visit Turner Hall on Monday and Tuesday to view the historic murals.

Brown County Historical Society executive director Amy Johnson said the museum is open Tuesday through Saturday. Over the summer, BCHS will operate the Kiesling House for historical programming on the weekends. The popcorn wagon operation will start in May. Downtown walking tours are typically available during the US/Dakota War commemoration but are available upon request.

The Grand executive director Laurel Stinson said the big news was the building was under construction. Work has already started on the back of the building and work will begin on the front next week. The Grand is still open with regular hours for the gallery and gift shop. The kids' camps will return this summer. The Grand Kaberet continues to host live music every Friday.

Emily Gleisner with Schell's Brewery is always full of visitors. It is often the first place tourists visit and many are asked about other activities available in New Ulm. Schell tries to direct people to other establishments in the community.

Schell's will again host music in the Biergarten during the summer months. The Bier Halle is open all week. Tours and rentals are available.

Sister Cities Commissioner Dick Seeboth said the first weekend of Oktoberfest will host a delegation with Mayors from Ulm and Neu-Ulm.

Yvonne Weber of the Downtown Action Team said the KNUJ Farmer's Market will be returning to downtown German Street again. It will be opening from 9 a.m. to noon every Saturday from mid-June to mid-October.

Joel King represented the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame. King recently assisted MMHF by bringing $100,000 in Prince memorabilia to the hall. Soon, a 15-foot sculpture of Prince's guitar will be installed outside of the hall facing Broadway.

Assistant New Ulm Park and Recreation Director Cheryl Kormann said the department works to coordinate sports tournaments in the community. This brings many visitors from out of town to stay overnight contributing to the lodging tax.

Carol Guggisberg of MRCI Bargins said New Ulm is blessed to have three thrift stores and they are a big draw.

Several individuals from the hotel and the Bed and Breakfast industry spoke during the luncheon. Typically rentals are booked all summer long for various events.

Airbnb operator Rod Miller said most bookings are for the weekends, many visitors are coming to town just to enjoy New Ulm.

Airbnb host Kate Sloot affirmed the work of all the tourism partners, saying everyone does a great job selling New Ulm. She said many visitors to New Ulm express interest in settling in the community after visiting.

"Everyone of us working together is going to help this economy so much," Sloot said.

Chamber President Warmka said her own story was reflective of this. Warmka and her husband Eric came to New Ulm as tourists in 2010, staying at a Bed & Breakfast to attend Bockfest. Four years later, they moved to New Ulm.

"We have a special community and thank you all for what you are doing," Warmka said.

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