Dear members,

According to information gathered from local historians, Great Bend was named after the bend in the Arkansas River that marks our location on the Kansas map. I have always felt that the City of Great Bend really hit the jackpot with its name. To me having the word “Great” in the city’s title is a natural asset. 

If you have ever worked with advertising or building slogans, you are aware that the goal is to identify your company or its service by using words that emphasize the quality of craftsmanship, service, or specific product attributes. A few examples of companies that have used the word great are:  The Great Wolf Lodge, ‘Tastes great, less filling’ (Miller Lite), and what does Tony the Tiger say after eating Frosted Flakes, “They’re Grrrreat”

There is some benefit in having the word ‘great’ in the city’s title, especially for public and private agencies. How many other high schools in the State of Kansas have the word Great in their title? It works the same for the Great Bend Police Department, Great Bend Coop, and many other entities in Great Bend.

It would be nice to think that the some of the successes Great Bend has had came about through its name. It is a nice thought, but it is not the case. I believe that the success Great Bend has experienced through the years is all due to the concerned, caring citizens who have invested their time and money for the benefit of the all the individuals who live in Great Bend.  Faces and names have changed over time, but what has kept Great Bend alive and prosperous is the steadfast effort of its citizens. 

I am not sure this time last year how many individuals predicted that our national economy would be in such bad shape a year later. It is too early to know what the long term effects to the national economy will be, or how this crisis will funnel down and affect Great Bend. As previously stated, however, the success or failure of Great Bend will depend upon its citizens and their ability to come together to support each other. Support can be classified in several ways: patronizing the retails stores and consumer service companies in Great Bend; volunteering to help public, church, and local organizations; joining local service clubs and organizations; and staying open to serving on local private and public boards/commissions. 

Chambers of Commerce’s were developed with the intent to foster partnerships and collaboration of all members to promote business growth and the optimum quality of life within the city it serves. The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce exists to do just that. It is my hope that this year we can help provide you with the support needed to not only maintain your business in these troubled times, but also to grow in the midst of it all. In the words of Winston Churchill, “The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty”.

Dan Brungardt
2009 Chairman of the Board