The Cactus Interview

Heather Nagel
El Riad Shrine Venue Coordinator

Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD

What keeps you in Sioux Falls? My love for this city, and the kind people in it, as well as all it offers to those of us who live here. The entertainment, restaurants, parks, and trails. The big city life with the small town feel.

Why did you accept this position for our Shrine? I accepted the position because I welcome any challenge and it seemed if I could help someone or something, why not the Shrine. I am excited to network and get more events booked at El Riad!

What’s your favorite thing about being the El Riad Shrine Venue Coordinator? So far my favorite thing is the people I have had the opportunity to work with.

What are you the most excited to accomplish? I am most excited to get events booked and revenue back in the pockets of the Shrine.

What else should we know about you? I am the mom of three amazing people, ages 23, 20, and 17, and I am a full time realtor.

What opportunities do you foresee for our venue? I see wedding parties, fundraisers, company events, family reunions, birthday and anniversary parties, business meetings, and eventually a fully booked calendar!

Describe El Riad Shrine in five words. Children, great people, fun times, exciting, welcoming.

What would you tell shriners, and their families, about the benefit of renting their own building? The cost is reduced for Shriners, we have dates available, and that they shouldn’t even consider going anywhere else.

What’s your favorite way to give back to your community? Honestly, through children. I have a soft spot for our youth.

How are you going to promote El Riad Shrine in the community? I have lots of ideas. I am starting with finding a referral group to join and promote. Social media is another big one.

How flexible are you in giving anyone a tour of our venue? Incredibly flexible. Days, evenings, weekends, I can make it happen.

What are some new functions you’d like for us to host at the shrine? Everything mentioned above, but I look forward to getting more business functions booked and also lots of fun events for the public to come to. I think the more people we can get in here to see what we have, the better it will be for everyone.

Where do you see our venue and its opportunities in five years? I dream of a booked calendar (weekends) April through October, and holiday gatherings on the books.