As a Webster County supervisor, I serve on a variety of boards and commissions that help shape and support our community. These appointments allow me to work closely with local and regional partners while making sure county priorities are represented. I’ve had the privilege of serving on the Visit Fort Dodge board since 2022. If you know me, you know how much I love promoting and celebrating what makes our area special, so this board was a natural fit.

Formerly known as the Convention and Visitors Bureau, Visit Fort Dodge’s job is to bring people into our community. That’s the easiest way to put it, but there’s so much more involved. They’re essentially the home team cheerleaders, working to make sure visitors experience Webster County as the fun, welcoming destination we know it is.

Let’s address the elephant in the room: don’t let the name fool you. Visit Fort Dodge is a countywide organization. They promote hiking at Dolliver Memorial State Park and the Dayton Rodeo just as much as the silos along the river or the Blanden Memorial Art Museum.

But look, they’re not just talking about it — they’ve got real money invested in it. In 2024, Visit Fort Dodge received a $9,000 grant and a $70,000 Regional Sports Authority grant from the Iowa Tourism Office. That kind of funding supports promoting our area both within Iowa and beyond. We’re talking travel trade shows to digital campaigns, motorcoach tours to influencer visits. This summer alone, five online content creators explored our area and shared what they loved with their audiences. These aren’t locals who are used to saying nice things. They chose to come here. They chose their experiences. They chose to give glowing reviews. As a marketing professional, I get excited about this sort of credible storytelling.

They also help out close to home. Visit Fort Dodge partners with event planners and local organizations to offer welcome materials, site visits, and community connections. Whether it’s the annual Iowa Girls High School State Softball Tournament or a big mystery motorcoach tour group from Chicago, their job is to help people feel not just welcome, but celebrated.

If you haven’t visited DodgetheOrdinary.com, take a look. It lists events that might attract visitors (and us locals, too), all in one spot. You’ll also find the Fort Dodge and Webster County Destination Guide distributed at welcome centers, hotels, trade shows, and community hubs like the incomparable Marker 126 out on U. S. Highway 20.

Tourism doesn’t just happen. It takes strategy, creativity, and coordination. I’m proud to play a small part in helping Webster County show the world what we already know: it’s a great place to visit — and an even better place to call home.

Niki Conrad is a Webster County supervisor.