When the coronavirus pandemic forced public venues to close their doors and for large gatherings to be curtailed, officials at Soboba Casino Resort’s Event Center had to cancel or reschedule many events. Calls went out in mid-March and only now are nonprofits, businesses and individuals being contacted about revisiting their original plans to host an event there.
Understandably, there are major changes to the way events can be offered, most notably that the center will have a limit of 50 guests at one time. Buffets, a common sight at most events, will not be available but plated meals and tray-passed food and beverages are great alternatives. Menus are being created to accommodate and adhere to all COVID-19 protocols regarding preparation and serving.
“People talk about getting back to a ‘new’ normal amid this pandemic, but it is actually an ‘evolving’ normal that we need to visit on a daily basis,” SCR’s CEO John James said. He applauded the Tribe for doing an outstanding job with reopening the resort in phases to ensure that every safety and cleanliness standard is being exceeded for all guests.
Although 50 guests are the maximum allowed at an event, smaller groups can be accommodated utilizing the removable walls that are incorporated into the Event Center. James said floor plan templates have been created to show how the rooms can be configured to adhere to all social distancing requirements.
“We want everyone who comes here to have a successful and healthy event while being mindful of patrons throughout the resort,” he said. “This is a continuation of the spirit that the Tribe has created by always putting its best foot forward for guests and employees.”
Director of Food & Beverage Robert Mejia said there are COVID-19 protocols in place throughout the resort, including the areas that service the Event Center.
“Our strict sanitary precautions include but are not limited to frequent and thorough hand washing, glove use and guidelines on when to change gloves. We take every precaution to ensure the health and safety of our guests,” he said.
During the closure, most Event Center staff members were transferred to other positions within the organization to maintain service levels. Many associates became team members of the Soboba Casino Resort’s cleaning crew.
Whether booking a conference or the next family reunion, each event is given a personal touch at Soboba Casino Resort. For business meetings, seminars or social events, the Event Center is ready to provide its well-known outstanding service and versatile function space to help make the event a success. Soboba’s hotel was reopened in June, allowing for attractive corporate rates and group rates for overnight accommodations in conjunction with meetings and events.
For information on booking an event, visit www.soboba.com (Hotel tab) or call 951-665-1000, ext. 1164.
Photo courtesy of the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians
