The group, led by Mayor Kathleen Backer, was on a special mission to find KNUJ program director and announcer Brian Filzen, who received the 2026 Tourism Person of the Year award.

Mayor Backer said he received the award for his hard work, dedication and all the effort his puts in to promoting the City of New Ulm.

Filzen received multiple nominations for this award over the years for his work promoting New Ulm on the radio station. The most recent nomination praised Filzen for interviewing hundreds of local business owners, community members and tourists visiting New Ulm. In addition, he helps promote the community and different events on the radio station every day, helping to keep the community informed.

Filzen also serves as the master of ceremonies during several community events including Bavarian Blast, Chamber Business of the Year Banquet, Turner Hall gathers and during Oktoberfest celebrations.

Brian Filzen of KNUJ shakes hands with Mayor Kathleen Backer moments after learning he was selected at the 2026 Tourism Person of the Year.

Filzen also serves as the Vice President of the Hermann Monument Society and has been on the board since its beginning.

Filzen said he was very surprised to received the Tourism award. He was modest about his impact on promoting tourism in New Ulm. He did not considered it work to promote New Ulm, “it was just fun” and that made it an easy community to sell.

“This is a great community, there is just no place like it,” Filzen said.

Filzen said New Ulm has a great reputation across the state. He said when ever he travels outside of New Ulm for special broadcasts, like the Minnesota Fishing Opener, it is common for other communities to recognize the KNUJ crew as the “New Ulm guys.”

“New Ulm has a fun connotation,” he said. “It is a fun place.”

Brian Filzen holds his newly received Tourism Person of the Year Award. Members of the New Ulm Area Chamber and the New Ulm Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) dropped into Filzen’s office at KNUJ to present him with the award and thank him for all he does to promote New Ulm. In photo L to R: CVB member Jessica Weisbrich, CVB memberChar Reinhart-Kalk, Chamber President Sarah Warmka, Brian Filzen, CVB member Amy Johnson, Mayor Kathleen Backer and Chamber Tourism & Member Services Manager Sarah Sveine.

Filzen will officially recognized for this honor during the Chamber’s annual meeting on Tuesday, Feb 10 at Turner Hall.