At the Council Bluffs Convention & Visitors Bureau, we’re proud to welcome two talented summer interns who are helping us tell the story of our community in fresh and creative ways.
Sophie Kohler, a recent University of Nebraska–Lincoln graduate and Council Bluffs native, joins us as our Content Coordination Intern. With a background in marketing and tourism—and a deep love for her hometown—Sophie is focused on social media, partner outreach, and keeping our tourism content up to date and engaging. Sophie will begin in early June.
Emily Newby, a Communications major at the University of Northern Iowa and Abraham Lincoln High School alum, is serving as our Digital Storytelling Intern. Known for her community leadership and creative energy, Emily is capturing the people, places, and charm of Pottawattamie County through reels, blogs, and on-the-ground. Emily will join us in late May.
Both Sophie and Emily bring local pride, academic excellence, and fresh perspectives to our team. We sat down with them to learn more about their interests, inspirations, and what they’re most excited about this summer.
What inspired you to pursue a degree in marketing/communications, and how does tourism or community engagement fit into that vision?
Sophie: I chose to study marketing and tourism because I value the work that goes into planning an event or the details that go into each marketing campaign. I admire the collaboration and the sharing of creativity that goes into the work I do at CBCVB, and I am glad I can use my education and ideas in this job.
Emily: I’ve participated in various activities that require a lot of speaking and communication (Speech, History Day, 4-H, theater, etc.), so over the years, I've been able to practice and hone my skills. I think a Communications major is very versatile and allows me to experience a wide variety of opportunities. It will be interesting to use my skills to help promote my hometown of Council Bluffs and the mission of the CVB.
As a Council Bluffs native, what’s one local experience or place you feel locals often overlook—and why?
Sophie: As a Council Bluffs native, I feel people should check out the Union Pacific Railroad Museum and the Squirrel Cage Jail more often. These two places can be overlooked by our community and I think people don't realize the amount of history Council Bluffs carries, I think we are truly lucky to have preserved this history in our community.
Emily: The Union Pacific Railroad Museum is often overlooked. It's a great historical experience for people of any age since it has a wide variety of displays and hands-on activities. With the added benefit of free admission, the museum helps to tell the story of the Union Pacific Railroad and the pivotal role that Council Bluffs played in building the Transcontinental Railroad.
What are you most excited to work on during your time with the CBCVB?
Sophie: I am looking forward to connecting with locals and sharing their favorite experiences in our community. There are endless events in our town that most people overlook, and I can't wait to share those experiences with other people. I also can't wait to use my creativity in this job and brainstorm ideas for the future.
Emily: I’m really excited to get the chance to use my lifelong knowledge of Council Bluffs to create social media content and blog posts that tell the story of our city. I also look forward to covering local events and talking to people in attendance. Finally, I would like to meet local partners and understand all the contributions everyone is making to promote our city.
How do you see storytelling—whether through social media, blogs, or video—shaping the way people experience a destination?
Sophie: Social media is a great way to connect people with Council Bluffs because it has become widely embedded in everyday life. People document a lot of their experiences on their social media pages and this lets others check out the hidden gems they might have not known about. It also allows people from other towns to see what Council Bluffs is all about and visit our community to see what we offer.
Emily: I think storytelling is critical to how a person experiences something. Everyone tells stories differently, which creates a wide variety of perspectives. Stories can set high expectations, provide background information, or enhance your overall experience. Fun media posts can drive engagement and create new interest.
What’s one skill you hope to develop or strengthen during your internship?
Sophie: A skill I hope to develop during my time in this role is building more connections. Building connections in your community is very important because every business can connect and grow together if willing.
Emily: I hope to improve my writing and content planning skills during this internship. It will be interesting to do this by being out in the community at events that are new to me, or even at events I have attended previously, to gain a new insight.
What’s your personal must-do in Pottawattamie County that you think every visitor should experience?
Sophie: I believe everyone who visits or is from Pottawattamie County should experience a concert at Stir Concert Cove. In the Midwest, it is rare to find an outdoor concert venue, and I believe we are lucky to have this because it makes our county unique.
Emily: One thing everyone should do in Pottawattamie County is walk over the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. The green space at Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park is beautiful and showcases the riverfront. People get excited about taking pictures while standing on the state line halfway across the bridge.
