City of Great Bend Community Coordinator Christina Hayes announced during the City Council meeting Monday that a new Convention and Visitors Bureau Director has been hired. Emily Goad, a Great Bend native, takes the reins when the new CVB office opens this month in the Great Bend Events Center.

Goad is a graduate from Fort Hays State University with her Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership and minor in management. She has served as an  intern for the City of Great Bend and the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, and also held a marketing internship with the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce.

The hiring committee was made up of Mayor Mike Allison, Finance Director Amit Patel, retired Human Resource Director Terry Hoff, hotel owner Loren Unruh and Community Coordinator Christina Hayes. The committee interviewed three potential candidates and Goad’s interview “shined brightly,” Hayes said.

 “This was a tough decision,” Hayes said. “We had some great candidates; the committee felt that Emily best fit the needs of the director. Her excellent organizational and computer skills were a great plus but also she was dedicated to City and Chamber events even while she worked outside of Great Bend.”

Goad said she is eagerly ready to bring visitors to Great Bend. “It’s not hard to promote something you’ve always believed in and still think is incredible,” she said. “I feel that way about Great Bend and look forward to future endeavors with my favorite city.”

The city is still in the process of hiring an assistant for Goad.

City officials said Monday night that they hope to move the CVB into its new office in the Great Bend Events Center this coming Monday.