Inspired the success of the first-ever Retailer Roundtable, the City of Great Bend is extending an invitation to all retailers in the area for a second meeting.
The hour-long meeting is set for 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 9, at the Crest Theater, 1905 Lakin in Great Bend.
Attendees requested a follow-up to the November gathering, said Christina Hayes, Great Bend community coordinator. The focus will be for the business leaders to stay in touch with one another and work with Hayes to get people into the stores and to shop local. 
Hayes said the first meeting provided the chance for retailers to share ideas and collaborate. From it, extended holiday shopping hours and city-wide Thirsty Thursdays were born.
“This is a meeting for all retailers in Great Bend,” said Hayes. “These meetings give me a change to work with retailers who want to take part in enhancing Great Bend, communicate upcoming events and to gain insight on how to market the city as a whole.”
The meeting is open to anyone in the community that is affiliated with a retail business or that is interested in assisting with the cooperative efforts. At the meeting, business representatives will also be given the opportunity to provide input on upcoming events such as Thirsty Thursdays, Icy Sidewalk Sale, World Wetlands Day, June Jaunt and community tie ins with marketing.
For more information or to RSVP, call Hayes at 793-4111 or e-mail chayes@greatbendks.net.