Convention & Visitors Bureau Director/Community Coordinator Christina Hayes announced her resignation at Tuesday’s Great Bend City Council meeting. In a statement read by City Administrator Logan Burns, Hayes also recommended her duties be split into two separate jobs in the future. 

Hayes told the Great Bend Tribune that her last day will be Feb. 25. She declined to say what she will be doing next. “They will release that information at a later date.”

Here is her statement as read by Burns:

“Good evening, everybody. First, I’m so sorry the weather is preventing me from being here tonight to say this to you in person. It’s with a mix of gratitude and bittersweet emotion that I announce my departure as the CVB Director and Community Coordinator after 14 incredible years. Serving Great Bend in this role has been one of the greatest honors of my career. I’m so proud of what we have built together.

“When I first stepped into this position, I saw endless potential for our community, and thanks to the support of our leaders, businesses and residents, we have brought that vision to life. From growing tourism and community events to strengthening partnerships and helping families make memories in our city, it has been a privilege to represent Great Bend.

“This job has never been ‘just a job’ to me. I hope Great Bend sees I gave my whole heart to this role’s mission and was always striving to be a good steward of taxpayer dollars.

“I want to express my sincere appreciation to the city council, my colleagues and the incredible people of Great Bend for allowing me to serve in this capacity. As I transition out of the role, I strongly encourage the council to consider dividing the position into separate roles, one focusing on tourism and another on community coordination. The scope of this job has grown tremendously over the years and I believe this would allow for ever greater focus and success in each area.

“Although I may be stepping away from this position, my heart will always be with this community. Thank you again for your trust, your support, and the memories I’ll carry with me forever. Great Bend has an amazing future ahead and I’ll always be cheering you on. Thank you for the past 14 years, Christina.”

Burns concluded by saying, “I want to give a very big shout out to Christina. She’s probably one of the city’s greatest cheerleaders.”

As he thanked Hayes for her years of service, other council members also said “thank you.”