Gabby Kinneberg has lived in Preston her whole life, so when the position of Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Director became available, it was kind of a no-brainer. “I already know Preston, so there was no learning curve,” she noted.
Kinneberg grew up at Chic’s Pizza in Preston. Her parents owned the restaurant for almost 20 years, and she spent many hours of her childhood there. “Growing up in a small business in a small town…it kind of becomes your heart and soul,” Kinneberg said. When she got older, she helped her mom with the marketing for Chic’s, designing menus and signs.
When Kinneberg started college at Winona State University, she planned on becoming a teacher, but soon realized that what she really liked was the creativity part of teaching and not the teaching itself. Knowing that she had an interest in advertising, she ended up getting a degree in Mass Marketing instead. During her college years, she was a freelance reporter for the Fillmore County Journal. After graduation in 2010, Kinneberg began working at SMG Web Design in Preston and later moved into a position in graphic design at the Journal.
“I really loved the tourism part of getting small businesses out there,” Kinneberg said about her work. She spent a year on the Preston Area Chamber of Commerce board and helped the former tourism director, Sarah Wangen, with different projects such as Preston Pride.
From there, Kinneberg got a job in Rochester doing marketing. “I did a lot of social media, blogging, and marketing planning,” The job included everything she’d learned while working at the Journal and SMG Web Design rolled into one. As much as she enjoyed her job and her co-workers, she missed being in Preston.
“I felt so disconnected,” she said about her three years spent working in Rochester while living in Preston. The 8-5 hours of her job plus the commute to and from work meant that Kinneberg only saw her daughter, Paisley for an hour or so each day.
Then Wangen put her notice in as the tourism director and urged Kinneberg to apply for the position. She wasn’t the only one who thought Kinneberg would be a good fit for the job. “I was really encouraged by a lot of the Chamber members and other local business people who told me to apply.” Kinneberg talked it over with her husband, John and decided to go for it. The job meant fewer hours, but being able to spend more time with her daughter made it worth it.
She interviewed and was offered the position. Her first official day was April 24, 2016, right before Preston Trout Days. “I got thrown into the busiest possible time I could,” she laughed. Her first Trout Days celebration as tourism director was marked by a weekend of cold, rainy weather. “I probably had about a hundred people who came up to me and told me how sorry they were about the rain.” Kinneberg didn’t let it get her down though. “There was nothing I could do about it anyway, and it can only go up from here,” she laughed. She’s already making plans and getting excited for the 2018 Trout Days event.
“It’s fun to work on projects that I started with Sarah,” Kinneberg said. “She did a lot of good things so it’s been built up. We’ll just continue on those wave lengths.” She continues to stay in touch with Wangen, who is available to answer any questions Kinneberg has about the job.
“I like to be busy,” Kinneberg said. “The job is fast paced, and the days go by so quickly.”
One of Kinneberg’s favorite aspects of the job as tourism director is helping small businesses. Growing up in a small business family, she knows first hand the challenges they face. “If we can make their lives easier at all, then I know I’m doing my job well,” she said. She also enjoys working hours at the Visitor’s Center just off of Highway 52 in Preston because she gets to meet so many people.
Kinneberg is also on the National Trout Center board and is working with the Chamber of Commerce to make Preston more veteran-friendly. “It’s something we’re really excited about,” she said. “There has been a lot of growth and changes in the last five years in Preston, and I think people are noticing.”