The pilgrimage town of Kevelaer is saying goodbye to an outstanding personality: Verena Rohde, the long-standing business promoter and head of Kevelaer Marketing, will be leaving the town on March 31, 2025. From April 1, 2025, she will take on a new challenge at "Wirtschaft, Tourismus und Marketing GmbH" in Kleve.
In the years of her work, Verena Rohde has left a lasting impression and initiated numerous innovative projects and events that have enriched the cultural and economic life of Kevelaer. Her initiation and co-organization of events such as "Kevelaer im Licht", "So klingt der Solegarten" and the popular "Zauberhaftes Kevelaer" will be particularly remembered. But that's not all - her creative ideas also include the "Dog Swim" and the "Trade Festival", which took place for the first time last year. In addition, there are numerous other events such as the "Sofa Concert", "Kevelaer Beatz", the "Bühnenhaus Open-Air" and the "Brocante Market", to name but a few. She is also particularly proud of the Kevelaer Nativity Scene Market, which has been organized under her direction and that of her team since 2022.
Verena Rohde also set striking accents in the cultural sector. She equipped the concert and stage house with much-needed new furniture - such as the high-quality digital sound system - and successfully implemented the NRW State Theatre's 2021 programme presentation. It also initiated the popular Lametta subscription (selection of plays) and the implementation of Print@home tickets - two measures that further promoted cultural enjoyment in Kevelaer.
Her expertise in marketing was also evident in the successful development of social media channels and the introduction of the Kevelaer magazine as well as other print products that enrich the city's marketing. Particularly noteworthy is her initiative to introduce a CRM system, new merchandise and the "KevelaerCard", all of which took city marketing to a new level. One unusual marketing idea was the "traffic light man" Hendrik Busmann at the traffic lights on Twistedener Straße, Kroatenstraße/Walbecker Straße - a particularly creative contribution to Kevelaer's branding.
Verena Rohde also made important contributions in the areas of business promotion and city management. The development of the employer branding portal "Kevelaer kann's", the popular company tours "Blick hinter die Kulissen" and the innovative city quiz are just some of her important initiatives. Her good and trusting relationship with local companies, investors and retailers should also be mentioned.
Verena Rohde also has an impressive track record in tourism. Under her leadership, the "Travel for All" certificate was introduced and the Tourist Information received the coveted "iMarke" certification as well as the "Q Seal". The opening of the vitality hiking trails is another highlight of her work and has further increased Kevelaer's attractiveness as a health destination.
With the redesign of the website for Kevelaer Marketing, which includes an integrated web store, and the introduction of a virtual city tour in 3D, Verena Rohde set modern accents in the city's digital presence. The new pedestrian signage in the city center and the staffing of the information building at the St. Jakob brine garden enriched tourism and helped to make Kevelaer even more attractive for guests and tourists. The "KeveLama" mascot and the tourist newsletter are also the results of their successful work.
Verena Rohde was also able to achieve an important milestone for Kevelaer: the award of the title of "place with healing springs spa". In this context, together with therapists, she developed new health offers that combine pilgrimage and health and create a unique offer for Kevelaer's guests.
"We are very sad that Verena Rohde is leaving us. Her tireless commitment, her creativity and her passion have enriched and developed Kevelaer in many ways. She has made an invaluable contribution to the town - often going far beyond the call of duty. We thank her from the bottom of our hearts for her outstanding work, her extraordinary commitment and her pioneering ideas. Thanks to her, the pilgrimage town of Kevelaer can present itself as a modern town with a wide range of offers. We wish her all the best and every success in her new position in Kleve," explains Mayor Dr. Dominik Pichler.