Category Archives: Events

Hazards Conference Brings Piece of Mind

The sixth annual South Texas All Hazards Conference attracted more than 5,000 to the McAllen Convention Center March 28-29.

More than 5,000 attendees took part in South Texas All Hazards Conference 2018 during the two-day conference last week. Held at the McAllen Convention Center, the event included an expo, classes, presentations and networking. John O’Valle, district director at Texas Department of Public Safety Division of Emergency Management, was very pleased with this year’s attendance. “On Wednesday alone, 3,157 people walked through the doors,” O’Valle praised. Initial projected attendance, according to…

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McAllen Ecourages Team Up to Clean Up

Keep McAllen Beautiful invites citizens to hit the streets of McAllen April 7 to help in the Great American Clean-Up & Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-off.

Keep McAllen Beautiful is organizing its annual Great American Clean-Up & Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-off for April 7, 2018 from 8 a.m. to noon at McAllen Municipal Park. KMB plans to hit the city’s major streets, hike and bike trails, city parks and schools to help keep McAllen looking clean and beautiful. “I am always so proud of our city during the cleanup because of the number of volunteers that participate and…

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Are Your High-Tech Ideas Eligible for Funding?

seed money

The UTRGV SBDC invites high-tech, innovative companies interested in seed funds for research and development to attend a workshop March 27-28. The government’s Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs are the focus. The two collectively offer more than $2.6 billion in high-risk, non-dilutive capital available to innovative small companies annually. Expert speakers for the sessions include Michael Kurek from BBBetc and Bijo Mathew from the UTSA SBDC Technology…

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RGV Women of Purpose Celebrates Local Women

On March 15, IBC Bank Main in McAllen hosted the first annual RGV Women of Purpose event. More than 300 ladies of power, influence and purpose from throughout the Rio Grande Valley attended. They were further empowered by Catia Hernandez-Holm, author and motivational speaker. IBC Senior Vice President Dora Brown and her planning committee were thrilled to see a very successful turnout of regional business and community leaders. IBC McAllen…

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CodeRGV Attends CodeWars 2018

Representatives from CodeRGV attend CodeWars in Houston. CodeRGV is currently planning events to help local students prepare for next year's event. (photo CodeRGV)

More than 750 high school level Computer Science enthusiasts converged on the HPE campus in Houston last weekend to participate in CodeWars 2018. CodeRGV was in attendance to learn more about the program and to build a stronger partnership with school districts across the state. In addition, the group learned how Valley school districts can participate in future HPE events like this one. The students, representing close to 100 districts across…

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Port of Brownsville Celebrates Banner Year

Port of Brownsville CEO Eduardo Campirano

About 250 people attended the Port of Brownsville’s annual State of the Port event to celebrate continued growth and look forward to opportunities that may be just around the corner. “2017 was indeed a banner year,” said Brownsville Navigation District Vice Chairman John Reed. “And 2018 could become a turning point for the port and for South Texas.” Reed was the lead speaker at the Thursday luncheon in Brownsville. He…

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Downtown Harlingen Merchants Share Information

Downtown merchants gathered for coffee and breakfast tacos to hear updates from fellow business owners. (VBR)

Downtown Harlingen Director Edward Meza welcomed about 30 people Thursday morning to discuss some of the latest news from downtown merchants. Sponsored by the Harlingen Chamber of Commerce, coffee and breakfast tacos were served as business owners took turns talking about their products and services and promoted upcoming events. Meza said he has recently talked with three individuals interested in opening businesses in the downtown area.”There are more new people…

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Getting Ready to Pay the Taxman

CPA Javier Alacron discusses tax reform with small business owners.

Some elements of the new tax reform package that was signed into law late last year and took effect in 2018 are straightforward and simple to understand. Others are detailed and complex. And some areas are cloudy since the regulations haven’t been written yet. The simplest part of the package to understand is the lowering of tax rates in the seven tax brackets for individuals. “Whatever bracket you are in,…

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McAllen H-E-B introduces more ways to get Janktafied

The Jankster Lamar Jones gives a lively demonstration at the launch of The Jank BBQ spice rub Feb. 8. (VBR)

He came, he sang, he talked, he cooked. Lamar Jones joined H-E-B officials Feb. 8 in launching his newest addition to The Jank line, The Jank BBQ spice rub. And he did not disappoint shoppers who stopped to watch the show and sample some unique dishes. Shoppers were drawn in by dishes such as Jank Brussel Sprouts, Jankanero Dry Rub Chicken sliders and Marbled Jankanero Cornbread Cake. The new rub…

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Lone Star Breaks Ground on New Banking Center

Lone Star National Bank officials and community leaders turn shovels of dirt at the groundbreaking ceremony for the bank’s second Edinburg location. (VBR)

In front of the building already under construction, Lone Star National Bank hosted a groundbreaking ceremony Feb. 7 to celebrate its second Edinburg location. The new branch will be the 34th in a network of banks throughout both the Rio Grande Valley and San Antonio. “Our goal is to continue to grow in the Valley, Lone Star National Bank President and CEO David Deanda said. “We are always there to…

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