As summer of 2026 is coming to an end, the GoRockford interns are looking back at all of the fun adventures we got to do this summer. From going paddle boarding to planning cornhole tournaments, we are so grateful for our time at GoRockford. As we plan to head back to our everyday lives, we wanted to look back at some amazing things we did this summer.
What We Worked On
We can confidently say that every day as an intern here looked different, and we are so thankful for that. Throughout the entire summer, we were assigned a marketing research project. This entailed doing research on what's working for other cities and how we could implement those ideas into the Rockford region.
We interns can also confidently say we have become marketing pros this summer. The marketing team assigned us to work on blogs, reels, and Instagram carousels. We got to choose topics we were interested in and go explore those interests in Rockford. After getting all the content, we were able to write or edit posts that anyone could see online. This was definitely one of our favorite parts of the summer and something super unique. We loved getting to go around to businesses throughout Rockford and getting to talk to so many people while getting content. We met business owners, customers, Rockford natives, visitors, and so many others, and it was awesome to get to hear their stories and to get to be a part of marketing the city.
Besides just working with marketing, we got to spend time with all of the departments in the GoRockford office. We worked closely with the sales team to put on numerous events. We worked with destination development department on Forest City Beautiful and RockYard, as well as the learning from the finance department. Lastly, we met with Whitney Martin to learn about the Made for Rockford program, which helps bring non-residents here full-time. It was such a great experience getting time with every department in the office.
Events & Activities
IRONMAN 70.3 Rockford
IRONMAN 70.3 Rockford planning was in full swing when we started at GoRockford with the event following just one week after our start date. We quickly learned our roles in the team as interns by helping all departments handle their various duties, from informational booths to kid-friendly activities to press briefings and so much more.
Beats and Bites
Beats and Bites was an event we had the pleasure of helping with throughout the month of July. Fun music, delicious food trucks, and meeting so many people were only a few of the highlights of getting to help out with this event. We even got to hang out with Hammy Hog!
Party Planning
Throughout the summer, we got to brush up on our party planning skills and plan several events for the office and guests to enjoy. We started our party planning off with a team-building cornhole tournament with the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce, which was a ton of fun! We also got to plan various staff parties, including a bridal shower and a birthday party.
Women’s Baseball Week
Women’s Baseball Week here in Rockford was a super awesome event to get to be a part of. We got to meet players from all over the world, including South America, Asia, and Australia. We helped with events for Baseball for All, the All-American Girls Baseball Players League, and the Women’s Baseball World Cup. This week was an exhausting one, but also so much fun!
Information & Giveaway Booths
This was something we assisted with at several events throughout the summer, including South Main Mercado, Rockton River Market, various Women’s Baseball events, IRONMAN 70.3 Rockford, and the Rockford Lacrosse Tournament. Booths are always a great way to get to talk to people in the area, whether they’re locals or visiting from out of town, and the giveaways were always a big hit!
Christmas in July at Anderson Gardens
For Christmas in July at Anderson Japanese Gardens, we were tasked with creating a fun craft for kids to enjoy and reading a Christmas book to them. Our bead bracelets and sticker sheets were a huge hit, and Reese had all the kids dancing along with the reindeer in the story, “Reindeer of the Year”.
RockYard Music Fest
We were lucky to be a part of the GoRockford team for the inaugural RockYard Music Fest to close out our time at GoRockford. We helped taste and rate custom ice cream flavors, made lots of buttons, and helped make RockYard’s activity tent a ton of fun. We are excited to watch this event grow in the coming years and look forward to attending as guests in the future!
Lasting Thoughts
As our summer at GoRockford comes to a close, we’re looking back on an unforgettable experience filled with new opportunities, meaningful projects, and countless memories. From creating content and supporting community events to learning from every department, each day has helped us grow both professionally and personally. We're incredibly grateful to the entire GoRockford team for welcoming us, encouraging us, and making this internship so rewarding. Thank you for an amazing summer. We'll take everything we've learned with us as we begin our next chapter!
