The group snuck into the B&L while Kamm was working in the back, when he came out front, Ann Wendinger handed him a bouquet and Mayor Kathleen Backer handed him a plaque announcing he was the 2025 Tourism Person of the Year.

Several individuals were nominated for this honor, but Kamm stood out among the candidates. Backer said he deserved it for “resilience and his commitment to finding reasons to bring people to New Ulm and have fun.”

“[Kamm] is a boots-on-the-ground guy and he gets things done,” Wendinger said.

Kamm received multiple nominations for this award from the public. Each nominee cited Kamm’s integral involvement with area tourism and his innovative ideas and partnership with other businesses. He had his hand in Shop New Ulm, downtown car and bike nights, and street dances. Recently he helped with the upside down Christmas tree at Hermann the German. Kamm was responsible for reaching out to local businesses to have the tree placed at Herman Heights.

Mayor Kathleen Backer gives Rick Kamm a plaque announcing he is the 2025 Tourism Person of the Year. Members of the New Ulm Area Chamber committees surprised Kamm at work with the good news. L to R: Ann Wendinger, Rick Kamm and Kathleen Backer

Chamber President Sarah Warmka said Kamm deserved the Tourism Award for looking at the bigger picture.

“That Christmas tree did not directly benefit his business, but he knew it would help the community,” Warmka said.

Kamm said he was very surprised to learn he received the award and was humble about his tourism work, sharing the credit with others.

“There are a lot of people behind what I’ve done,” Kamm said. “None of these things would happen without great volunteers and support from the Chamber.”

Kamm was honored to receive the Tourism award because New Ulm meant a great deal to him.

B&L Bar owner Rick Kamm was given the Tourism Person of the Year award Thursday. Members of different New Ulm ara Chamber committees surprised Kamm at his bar with the award. Kamm received this award for his innovative work in drawing tourists to New Ulm. It was his idea to bring Spikin’ in the Street to the downtown and partnered with many area businesses on downtown events. Recently, he help arrange for a 40-foot Christmas tree to be hung upside down at Hermann Heights Park. “This is a great town,” Kamm said. “I’ve lived here all my life and I like having people from out of town say we have a great community.” In photo: (L to R): Chamber Tourism and Member Services Manager Elyza Moy, Chamber President Sarah Warmka, NUBRA committee member Ann Wendinger, Rick Kamm, Convention & Visitors Bureau committee member Amy Johnson and New Ulm Mayor Kathleen Backer.

“This is a great town,” he said. “I’ve lived here all my life and I like having people from out of town saying we have a great community.”

Kamm will receive further recognition for this award during the 2025 Chamber annual meeting on Thursday, Feb. 20 at Turner Hall.