The Willkommen Committee recently stopped by Royal Oak Event Center to welcome them as new Chamber Members and meet the new owner. Nicole El-Sawaf and her father, who own storage facilities in 11 locations around the Midwest, purchased the facility with plans to convert the back area into a storage business, and continue to operate the front area as an event center. Previously known as the New Ulm Event Center, the business is managed by Megan Hoffmann, who started in that role in the fall of 2021. Plans to remodel the event center include new flooring, ceiling, lighting, and paint inside. Outside renovations will be some structural changes to modernize the look, landscaping and other improvements. Currently, smaller wedding ceremonies can be held on-site, but they are seeing more requests to hold weddings on site, and not just the reception, so future plans may also include a larger gazebo area for outside ceremonies. There is a large bridal room upstairs, with a kitchen, for brides to get ready, and a room for grooms downstairs. The location is perfect for any event, with multiple lodging facilities close by and room to accommodate up to 500 guests. Learn more or schedule a tour at www.royaloakeventcenter.com or 507-354-4673.

Picture here are: Jon Bleick, Nuvera; Nicole El-Sawaf, Royal Oak Event Center; Dan Forsyth, MN Valley Transport; and Sarah Warmka, Chamber President.