Bareback bronco riding, barrel racing, bull riding and calf scrambles are staples of the rodeo scene, but the action is not limited to the dusty, faraway plains of Texas. If you follow the paved path just outside of Loop 1604 on Hausman Road, you will unearth a real Texas treat.<\/p>\n
Pedrotti\u2019s North Wind Ranch is the iconic San Antonio event center that carries a history as big as the Lone Star State. Owner Louie Pedrotti and his team of skilled event planners, culinary experts and managers continue to blaze the trail they started three decades ago.<\/p>\n
From its simple beginnings as a restaurant and catering company in 1971, the Pedrotti\u2019s brand has evolved into one of the Alamo City\u2019s definitive event destinations. Starting with a catering truck and a modest kitchen, the Pedrottis ran their off-premise catering business for 24 years before expanding and purchasing land. In 1995, the company staked its claim to the 25-acre plot that serves as its current home. It was a transition that gave life to a host of new developments at the company.<\/p>\n
Two of the first facilities to open at the newly acquired location included the \u201cShooting Star,\u201d a 12,000-square-foot building with no floor or heat and limited air conditioning, and the \u201cPedrotti\u2019s Rodeo Arena.\u201d In 2000, the growth continued with three additional facilities: the \u201cBrokemill,\u201d the \u201cPatio Room\u201d and the \u201cChuckwagon.\u201d The Pedrottis added the spacious 24,000-square-foot facility, \u201cLone Oak,\u201d in 2004, and purchased 20 additional acres in 2008.<\/p>\n
In addition to the rodeo arena, Pedrotti\u2019s currently has five event center facilities \u2013 all of which are heated and air-conditioned. From a floorless, open space and dirt arena, Pedrotti\u2019s has grown by leaps and bounds. Today, the ranch hosts large-scale events for groups sizing anywhere from 200 to 2,000. The company works with major conventions with guests coming from across the country for weddings, holiday events and other corporate banquets for the likes of H-E-B, Nationwide Insurance and Eva Longoria Parker\u2019s non-profit organization, Eva\u2019s Heroes.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a pretty long way to travel,\u201d Louie Pedrotti said. \u201cIt\u2019s been a lot of fun on the way, and it\u2019s also been a lot of work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Recently, Pedrotti\u2019s entered the wedding market. When Louie and Sue Pedrotti\u2019s son, Anthony Pedrotti, joined the team in 2007 as co-director of marketing, Pedrotti\u2019s hosted only a handful of weddings each year. With Anthony\u2019s arrival, and the expertise of Co-Director of Marketing Norma Diaz, the company moved to aggressively alter and adjust itself to meet the needs of brides, grooms and their guests, as well as to create a wedding wonderland. It was a decision that was met with success; wedding bookings have tripled, and clients are excited about the service.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe took the approach to enhance one of our facilities to make it a little more elegant,\u201d Anthony Pedrotti said. \u201cEvery bride- and groom-to-be wants to have a little bit of Texas flavor to their wedding in Texas, so we really hit the nail on the head; we combine glamorous elegance with some Texan flair.\u201d<\/p>\n
While the brides are booking at record pace, the Pedrottis continue to emphasize the importance of honesty and dedication, while providing clients with the events of their dreams. For Pedrotti\u2019s, that\u2019s what it\u2019s all about at the end of the day.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery event is different, and every client is different,\u201d Sue Pedrotti said. \u201cYou have to stay on your toes to make sure you take care of every need. It is very interesting putting all the details together for an event on paper, then seeing it all happen right in front of you.?It is like putting together a puzzle.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Pedrotti\u2019s team is also committed to supporting several charitable causes, and this passion is reflected by the scores of non-profit organizations that book Pedrotti\u2019s for fundraising events and celebrations. Clients include the Children\u2019s Hunger Fund, the H-E-B Special Olympics, the Texas Justice Foundation, United Way and TEAMability, among many others.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe the future holds success for Pedrotti\u2019s,\u201d Louie Pedrotti said.?\u201cThe next few years may be tough because of the economy, but we plan to stick to our core values we initiated when we started our business; and in doing that, we will survive together and become a better business because of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Pedrottis are committed to ensuring that each member of their staff, the vendors they work with and even their clients and guests feel like members of the Pedrotti family.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe a family-owned business is the finest kind,\u201d Sue Pedrotti said. \u201cI believe this is why our business is successful, and why we have survived.?When we started this business, we started from nothing and built?it on our faith, integrity, knowledge and commitment to our goal and to each other.?We take care of everyone employed here as family.?Family is the one thing that you have forever.\u201d<\/p>\n
Simply put, the Pedrottis are on a mission to engage guests in the city, state and even across the nation to enjoy the Pedrotti\u2019s experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom the minute you make that first call or inquiry, you will notice things are a little different,\u201d Anthony Pedrotti said.?\u201cWe are a small family trying to make the sometimes difficult task of putting together a private event as easy as possible for you. We\u2019re a one-stop shop and a full concierge service.?Let us do all the work. Bring the guests, and we\u2019ll take it from there.\u201d<\/p>\n