“I’ve been coming here for years, and it truly is a hidden gem,” Broers said. ” There’s so much to do here, and the people are great. You don’t need to become a destination — you already are one.”

Broers, who has visited Fort Dodge several times since 2018, started her visit with a luncheon on July 17 hosted by Visit Fort Dodge. She spoke to community leaders, city staff members, hotel managers and other tourism-related professionals.

She spent the next few days traveling the area and sharing her activities on her platforms Travel With Sara and 100 Things To Do In Iowa Before You Die/Perfect Day Iowa.

She collaborated with fellow travel writer Clayton Hensley, of Clinton, Tennessee, who owns The Knox Road Tripper. He was in the area on his own trip.

-Submitted photo

Pictured from left are Sadie Andersen, Sara Broers and Tiffany Conrad at the Laramar.

“Having these outside perspectives is so important for our mission,” said Geneva Dillon, communications specialist for Visit Fort Dodge.

“It’s great to have local champions, but it means a lot more and can reach a lot farther when someone from outside the community comes in and tells others they should be here,” she added. “It’s better than any ‘wish you were here’ postcard.”