Our Interns reflect on their experience at Ankeny Chamber SummerFest!
Kaitlyn Muehring
As the marketing and communications intern with the Ankeny Chamber of Commerce, I had the opportunity to help at the Ankeny Chamber of Commerce’s annual SummerFest event — and it was an incredible experience I won’t forget. From the set-ups in the hot sun, to the final tear-downs late at night, I got to see what really goes into making a large community event run smoothly. During Ankeny Chamber SummerFest I gained hands-on experience in event marketing. I learned how to promote a live event on social media by capturing real-time content, engaging with followers, and keeping the community informed throughout the weekend. Before the event even began, I was behind the scenes working on Facebook posts, Instagram reels, Tik Toks and more! I also saw how important clear communication is — both within a team and with event guests — to create a safe and enjoyable experience. This internship helped me better understand how marketing and a lot of teamwork come together to make an event successful.
I had an amazing experience, and I hope that everyone who attended did as well!
Andrea Belding
Through my time with the Ankeny Chamber as an Events Intern, I had the amazing opportunity to see SummerFest come to life! From behind-the-scenes prep to event-day execution, I saw firsthand how collaboration, communication, and community engagement make everything possible. I learned the vital role community plays in supporting nonprofit events, as well as gained a new appreciation for the work that goes into these events! But above all, my favorite part of this internship was getting to know the Ankeny community and meeting so many inspiring and driven professionals.
I’m so thankful to the entire Chamber team for welcoming me, mentoring me, and giving me the chance to contribute to projects that truly made an impact. This experience has helped me grow both professionally and personally — and I’m excited to carry these lessons with me into whatever comes next.
Abby Wadle
Interning with the Ankeny Chamber has been such a valuable and rewarding experience this summer. I had the incredible opportunity to be a part of Ankeny Chamber SummerFest as an Event Intern, and I’m happy to share it was an incredible learning experience. This three-day music festival taught me so much about event planning and the unique dynamics of working in a nonprofit setting. Some highlights from the weekend include helping backstage and meeting some of the performing bands, connecting with the amazing Ankeny community, and gaining hands-on experience that’s been valuable both personally and professionally. I have gained a special appreciation for community-based events, and Ankeny set that standard high!
A huge thank you to Diane and Jamie for leading this event with such dedication—and for taking the time to mentor me throughout the process.
