Visit Fairfield Convention and Visitors Bureau is welcoming three summer interns who will spend the next eight weeks exploring the community, assisting visitors, and helping tell Fairfield’s story in new and creative ways, according to Terry Baker, Executive Director of the Visit Fairfield Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The internship program is funded in part through a grant from the Iowa Travel Industry Partners and gives students hands-on experience in tourism, marketing, community engagement, and destination storytelling.
Among their projects, the interns will assist with research and development for a new digital passport featuring historic sites throughout Fairfield and Jefferson County. Designed for both locals and visitors, the passport will encourage people to explore places connected to Fairfield’s history while discovering stories they may not have heard before. The interns are also helping prepare visitor mailings, creating social media and video content, and attending community events throughout the summer.
The three interns are Gage Smith, Lily Fenton, and Mia Jakob. Smith is currently attending Indian Hills Community College with a focus on business and said he is excited to learn more about Fairfield while strengthening his communication skills. Fenton, an incoming dental student at Creighton University in Omaha, is a Fairfield native who enjoys spending time outdoors and is looking forward to uncovering new things about her hometown to share with friends and family. Jakob, originally from Missoula, Montana and currently studying nursing, is experiencing Fairfield for the first time and is excited to work her way through the community’s local food scene.
Baker said the program offers more than tourism experience. “These internships are about more than just tourism marketing,” she said. “They give students the opportunity to build real-world skills while also becoming more connected to the community itself. One of the things I love most is watching them discover stories, places, and experiences they didn’t even realize existed here. Their excitement reminds us that Fairfield still has plenty left to uncover, even for people who have lived here their entire lives.”
Residents and visitors may spot the interns throughout the summer at local attractions, festivals, museums, farmers markets, and community events. For more information, visit VisitFairfieldIowa.com.
