VBR

Food Park Unplugged
2022-02-18 20:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | McAllen Food Park, 10 N. Broadway, McAllen, 78501, United States
Food Park Unplugged takes place Feb. 18 at McAllen Food Park. Every third Friday of the month, enjoy the sounds of local crooners while feasting on dishes by Food Truck chefs. Take a stroll and do some shopping from local craft and collectibles vendors. This event is family- and pet-friendly.
Free admission into the park.

South Padre Island Chili Expo (SPICE)
2022-02-19 12:00 - 15:00 | Louie’s Backyard, 2305 Laguna Boulevard, South Padre Island, TX, 78597, United States
Welcome back to the South Padre Island Chili Expo (SPICE) Feb. 19, benefiting South Padre Island Walk for Women. The event helps support women and families in the Valley who are fighting breast cancer with financial assistance.
To register to cook, you will need to complete both the registration form and the Health Department Application and return both to reeslangspi@gmail.com. You are also responsible for reading and following the Cooks Rules and the Health Department Rules.

Maximize Sales: Strategies & Tips
2022-02-22 10:00 - 12:00 | Online, TX, United States
Looking for ways to increase sales? Every business can greatly benefit from a strategic plan in sales and the implementation of a solid sales approach. Identify what drives your sales and maximizes customer growth.
“Maximize Sales: Strategies & Tips” on Feb. 22 shares best practices, along with tips and tools, to achieve your goals efficiently and effectively, as well as ways to stay engaged with clients.
Webinar highlights:

The 7 Ps of “marketing”
Sales strategy
Goal setting
Customer account management
Selling tips

Javier Martinez III with AUCTUS Business Advisory serves as presenter for this webinar.
This webinar is hosted by the UTRGV Small Business Development Center with promotional support from area resource partners: Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce, Palmview Chamber of Commerce, Rio Grande City Economic Development Corporation, Rio Grande City Public Library, San Benito Chamber of Commerce, and Starr County Industrial Foundation.
Register online.

Charro Days Mixer Presented by Texas Regional Bank
2022-02-22 17:30 - 19:30 | Texas Regional Bank – Brownsville, 3450 Pablo Kisel Blvd., Brownsville, TX, 78526, United States
The Brownsville Chamber of Commerce and Texas Regional Bank celebrate in the spirit of Charro Days with a mixer Feb. 22.
The mixer kicks off to the week-long festivities happening in Brownsville. Get your Charro’s costumes ready and be sure to warm up your voice for the annual grito contest. The event includes food, Mexican snacks, music and performances throughout the night.
Admission is $20 for chamber members, $25 for non-chamber members.
Register online.

The HR Process
2022-02-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Online, TX, United States
The HR Process webinar on Feb. 24 covers the appropriate steps to take when planning for human resources in a small business. This includes what each step entails and its importance.
The UTRGV SBDC presents this webinar with promotional support from Starr County Industrial Foundation and Weslaco Area Chamber of Commerce.
Register online.

RGVHCC Meet & Greet New Member Reception
2022-02-24 17:30 - 19:30 | RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, 801 E. Fern, Suite 143, McAllen, TX, 78501, United States
The Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce hosts a New Member Reception Feb. 24. Meet other new members, and learn about the chamber’s benefits and services.
Network while enjoying food and beverages.
If you are not new to the chamber and would like to welcome new members, you are welcome to join.
Register online.

Chamber Connect +
2022-02-28 14:00 - 15:00 | Brownsville Chamber of Commerce, 1600 University Blvd., Brownsville, TX, 78520, United States
The Brownsville Chamber of Commerce hosts Chamber Connect + on Feb. 28. This free event offers information on what the chamber can do for you while also providing a refresher on current member benefits.
Attendees will learn how to:

Take advantage of your membership benefits
Join a committee
Stay connected with your members-only online portal
Set up your membership profile

Register online.
For more information, contact the Brownsville Chamber.

Good Day McAllen
2022-03-03 11:30 | DoubleTree Suites by Hilton, 1800 S 2nd Street, McAllen, TX, 78503, United States
Join the McAllen Chamber of Commerce for its Good Day McAllen Luncheon March 3. Connect with the newest chamber members and rekindle with existing members.
Program will begin promptly at noon with emcees Jim Darling and Tony Forina.
Door prizes are part of the luncheon. A name will also be drawn for a chance to win a $1,400 cash grand prize. Must be present to win. If there is no winner, the cash prize will increase to $1,500.
RSVP by calling 956-682-2871.

GMCC Member Mixer
2022-03-03 17:00 - 19:00 | Cimarron Country Club, 1200 S. Shary Road, Mission, TX, 78572, United States
Join the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce March 3 from 5-7 p.m. at the Cimarron Country Club for an opportunity to network within the business community.
To RSVP, email amanda@missionchamber.com.

Backyard Gardening with Stephanie Kasper
2022-03-03 18:00 - 19:00 | Quinta Mazatlan, 600 Sunset Drive, McAllen, TX, 78503, United States
Stephanie Kasper
Interested in starting your own vegetable garden? Not sure where to start? Ask an experienced farmer for tips and tricks on how to begin and maintain your own garden at the Nature Speaker Series. Quinta Mazatlán World Birding Center hosts UTRGV research farmer Stephanie Kasper on March 3 for a special presentation on sustainable agriculture and growing food in the Rio Grande Valley.
This presentation will discuss strategies for starting and maintaining vegetable gardens under challenging South Texas conditions.
Kasper is a research farmer at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Here, she studies soil health practices and manages the Hub of Prosperity Farm. The farm began in 2019 for community-facing sustainable agriculture research and education. With agricultural experience at scales ranging from apartment patio to 200-acre ranch, she believes everyone can be involved in creative and sustainable food production solutions.
Tickets are $5 and available for purchase at quintamazatlan.ticketleap.com.

Health & Wellness Fair
2022-03-04 - 2022-03-05 | AC2E Elementary School in Fort Ringgold, Fort Ringgold, Rio Grande City, 78582
Rio Grande City holds its first annual free Community Health and Wellness Fair March 4 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and March 5 from 9 a.m. to noon at the AC2E Elementary School in Fort Ringgold.
Dedicated to the health and wellness needs of families in the Rio Grande City area, local clinicians and health professionals will provide free health screenings, medical information, education and health-related services including the following:

Cholesterol Screenings
Blood Pressure Screenings
Liver Scans
Medical Weight Loss
Rehabilitation Consulting
Behavioral Health
Car Seat Checks
Flu Vaccines
Cardiovascular Disease
Diabetes Screening
Cardiac Health Screening
Alzheimer’s Disease Screening

Vendors and health care service providers may register online.

Arbor Day Celebration
2022-03-05 | McAllen Munical Park, 1921 North Bicentennial Blvd., McAllen, TX, 78501, United States
Keep McAllen Beautiful hosts its in-person Arbor Day Celebration March 5, with a 5K, 10K, kids 2K and 25-mile bike ride and social bike ride. The celebration also includes educational booths and tree workshops.
Register for run and biking events online.

Quarterly Report with the Chamber President
2022-03-07 08:30 - 09:30 | Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce, 311 E. Tyler Ave., Harlingen, TX, 78550, United States
Harlingen Chamber of Commerce’s Javier De Leon has a personal face-to-face sit-down March 7 with members of the community. De Leon will talk about what the Harlingen Chamber offers, some of its initiatives and how to properly utilize chamber membership.
This event is open to the entire community and is free.

McAllen Legendary Businesswomen’s Luncheon
2022-03-10 11:30 - 13:00 | DoubleTree Suites by Hilton, 1800 S 2nd Street, McAllen, TX, 78503, United States
The annual McAllen Legendary Businesswomen’s Luncheon takes place March 10 honoring McAllen businesswomen. This year’s honorees are owner of Cantu Special Events Blanca Cantu, owner and CEO of Mego Afek USA Raquel Hochman and CEO of Bert Ogden Auto Group Natasha Del Barrio.
The honorees will share how they overcame adversity and challenges to reach their business goals.
The event includes lunch by the DoubleTree Hotel. The cost to attend the event is $40 for chamber members or $60 for non-members. Sponsorships and reserved tables are available. There will also be swag bags and door prize giveaways.
The McAllen Legendary Businesswomen’s Luncheon is presented by the McAllen Chamber All About Women Committee, the City of McAllen, The Law Office of John David Franz, Oh Kay’s, Embassy Suites by Hilton McAllen/On the Border, and Socialife Magazine.
For more information or to make a reservation, contact Gerry Garcia at 956-682-2871.

Spring Habitat Volunteer Day
2022-03-12 08:30 - 11:00 | South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary, 6801 Padre Boulevard, South Padre Island, TX, 78597, United States
Springtime means an opportunity to keep expanding the SPI Birding, Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary‘s habitats. Lend the staff a hand March 12 as they plant native trees, shrubs and nectar plants in effort to get the grounds in shape to benefit the upcoming spring bird and Monarch migration.
The center has some shovels, garden tools and gloves, but volunteers bringing their own is helpful.
Volunteers who stay for two hours receive free admission to the center for the day.

National Plant a Flower Day at the Mazatlan Morning
2022-03-12 09:00 - 12:00 | Quinta Mazatlan, 600 Sunset Drive, McAllen, TX, 78503, United States
March 12 is National Plant a Flower Day and Quinta Mazatlan is celebrating with Mazatlan Morning from 9 a.m. to noon with the Native Plant Sale, Talk, Walk & Seed Bombing.
McAllen urban ecologist John Brush presents a program at 10 a.m. titled “Quinta in Bloom,” highlighting the native flowers around the sanctuary.
Mike Heep, Valley’s native plant nursery owner, will sell plants from 9 a.m. to noon with a presentation at 11 a.m. This is an opportunity for attendees to ask questions about what to grow in a garden.
Kids and adults alike can make Seed Bombs to take home and toss anywhere they would like to cover with flowers. Seed Bombs are balls made out of clay, compost and seeds. Apparently, Seed Bombs were first used in the 70’s to “bomb” large vacant lots in New York City with flowers—they called it guerilla gardening.
The event is free with park admission of $3 for adults, $2 for children, and ages 2 and under are free. Reserve your tickets online at quintamazatlan.ticketleap.com in order for the park to prepare accordingly.
For more information, contact Quinta Mazatlan or follow Quinta Mazatlan on social media.

Tamales & Menudo Mixer
2022-03-16 17:30 - 20:30 | Firemen’s Pump House, 201 North 1st Street, McAllen, TX, 78501, United States
Join the RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, LiftFund and PeopleFund for Tamales & Menudo March 16 at Fireman’s Pump House. The appreciation mixer shows appreciation to those in the small business community.
The evening includes door prizes and cocktails.
To RSVP or receive more information, contact the RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Federal HUBZone Program + Texas HUB Program Certification
2022-03-17 10:00 - 11:30 | Zoom
The Brownsville Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Small Business Administration and the UTRGV Procurement Technical Assistance Center present Federal HUBZone Certification Program + Texas HUB Program Certification on March 17.
The federal government uses special programs to help small businesses win at least at 23 percent of all federal contracting dollars each year.
To help provide a level playing field for small businesses located in a HUBZone area the government limits competition for certain contracts to businesses that participate in the Federal HUBZone Programs.
The federal government’s goal is to award at least three percent of all federal contracting dollars to HUBZone-certified small businesses each year. The presenters will also cover the Texas HUB Program certification.
Discover and Learn:

If Government Contracting is for you?
What are the benefits for being HUBZone certified firms.
If you qualify for the HUBZone Program.
Are you in a designated HUBZone area?
Steps on How to do Business with the Federal Government.

Register online.

“Beginner’s Luck: My First Year of Birding” With Avrel Seale
2022-03-17 18:00 | Quinta Mazatlan, 600 Sunset Drive, McAllen, TX, 78503, United States
Avrel Seale
Looking to begin birdwatching? Join Avrel Seale for “Beginner’s Luck: My First Year of Birding” at 6 p.m. March 17 at the Nature Speaker Series at Quinta Mazatlán World Birding Center.
A Valley native living in Austin, Seale is the author of 10 books and a writer for the University of Texas at Austin. The youngest son of Jan Seale and the late Carl Seale, he is also the brother of Erren and Ansen, all of whom have been heavily involved with Quinta Mazatlán over many years. Seale began filming and photographing birds during the catastrophic winter storm of February 2021 and never stopped. His presentation will include a video highlighting the best captures of his first year of birding. Nearly all of his subjects were filmed in Texas, including at Quinta Mazatlán, Estero Llano Grande State Park near Weslaco and South Padre Island.
For Seale, the challenge of photography is greater due to a major stroke four years ago. Seale can use only his left hand, and camera shutter releases are almost exclusively on the right. Despite this hurdle Seale persevered and picked up tips and tricks on how to capture stunning images of birds. He utilized a mix of tools to build his bird knowledge, including traditional field guides and Facebook groups, as well as apps such as Merlin, eBird and iNaturalist.
Beginning Birding
Capturing images of nature does not require an advanced professional camera. Nature photography can begin with your own cell phone camera. In addition to digital photography, Seale uses a cell phone and a spotting scope. This captures slow-motion video revealing extraordinary details of bird behavior too quick to notice in real time.
The benefits of birding include improving physical and mental health by staying active and reducing stress. Birders engage with community and other birders while providing a positive economic impact on the community. Birding can happen almost anywhere from a local park to a back yard. It also does not require any extras to begin. As long as you have an interest, it’s never too late or too early to begin your birding journey.
“They say youth is wasted on the young, and I was woefully disinterested in birds for all those years I lived in the Valley,” Seale mused. “I guess I had to move 350 miles away before I realized that my hometown is basically the center of the birding universe.”
Tickets are $5 per person. Pre-purchased tickets recommended. Tickets available for purchase at quintamazatlan.ticketleap.com.

Harlingen State of the City Address 2022
2022-03-18 11:00 - 13:00 | Harlingen Convention Center, 701 Harlingen Heights Drive, Harlingen, TX, 78552, United States
The Rotary Club of Harlingen and City of Harlingen present the State of the City Address on March 18 at 11:30 a.m. Doors open at 11 a.m. This is a non-partisan event.
For more event details or table sponsorships, contact Pamela Leverett.

Food Park Unplugged
2022-03-18 20:00 - 22:00 | McAllen Food Park, 10 N. Broadway, McAllen, 78501, United States
Food Park Unplugged takes place March 18 at McAllen Food Park.
Every third Friday of the month, enjoy the sounds of local crooners while feasting on dishes by Food Truck chefs. Take a stroll and do some shopping from local craft and collectibles vendors. This event is family- and pet-friendly.
Free admission into the park.

QuickBooks Roundtable
2022-03-22 10:00 - 11:30 | Online, TX, United States
Learn how to get the most out of your QuickBooks software with this no-cost virtual roundtable March 22. Meet with other small business owners to trade tips and get your questions answered.
QuickBooks ProAdvisor Mark Martinez will discuss creating custom reports, common set up problems, understanding chart of accounts, bank register, bank reconciliation and flow of transactions. This opportunity will help attendees polish their QuickBooks skills and increase its ease of use.
Brought to you by UHV SBDC in partnership with the South-West Texas Border SBDC Network.
Register online.

Hiring Best Practices
2022-03-23 10:00 - 12:00 | Online, TX, United States
Hiring is not just about recruiting employees – it is about sowing the seeds of your reputation. If you want your hiring process to be more than simply finding a warm body to fill a spot, you need a clear hiring strategy and focused processes.
This session reviews best practices for developing an effective hiring strategy: from creating the job description to developing recruiting skill sets – from the interview through the onboarding process. Business owners and managers will be led through a series of questions to help them meet compliance standards while customizing practices to suit their culture. We will also consider best practices for virtual/remote hiring issues.
Deirdre Pattillo, project manager with the UTSA SBDC COVID Business Recovery Accelerator, will present this webinar.
This webinar is hosted by the UTRGV SBDC with promotional support from area resource partners: Brownsville Chamber of Commerce, Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce, Rio Grande City Public Library, RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce, Starr County Industrial Foundation, and Weslaco Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center.
Register online.

8(a) Business Development Program + Procurement Technical Assistance Center Services
2022-03-24 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom
The Brownsville Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the UTRGV Procurement Technical Assistance Center present the 8(a) Business Development Certification Program + PTAC Services online workshop on March 24.
The federal government uses special programs to help small businesses win at least 23 percent of all federal contracting dollars each year.
To help provide a level playing field for small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged people or entities, the government limits competition for certain contracts to businesses that participate in the 8(a) Business Development Programs.
The UTRGV PTAC will also present on services they offer the community.
Discover and Learn:

If Government Contracting is for you?
What are the benefits of being an 8(a) certified firm?
If you qualify for the 8(a) program?
Steps on How to do Business with the Federal Government.

Register online.

Payroll Compliance
2022-03-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Online, TX, United States
Are you planning to hire employees?
Hiring employees involves more than just signing a paycheck. Before hiring employees, business owners must understand and prepare for the additional obligations that come with being an employer. This workshop sheds light on the compliance requirements of payroll.
Webinar Highlights:

Steps to meeting general State and Federal requirements
Laws and types of payroll taxes business owners must pay
Contact information for the different agencies that govern payroll taxes
Helpful resources

Register online.

17th Brownsville Guitar Festival
2022-03-25 - 2022-03-26 | TSC Performing Arts Center, 90 Taylor Avenue, Brownsville, TX, United States
The Brownsville Society for the Performing Arts presents the Brownsville Guitar Festival on March 25 and 26. The event features performances by some of the best, most inventive acoustic guitarists in the world today.
Berta Rojas, “guitarist extraordinaire”, nominated three times for Latin Grammy Awards, brings her vibrant and uniquely popular style to the stage while Xavier Jara displays talents that won him the world’s most prestigious solo guitar competition.
Created by Dr. Michael Quantz in 2001, the festival was designed to benefit students and music programs of all levels studying music on the guitar. Ensembles from more than 50 cities across the United States and Mexico have participated in the festival. Some of the greats in the classical guitar world have performed and taught for us including Grammy winners David Russell, the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Jason Vieaux, and Los Romeros.

Texas Onion Fest
2022-03-26 | Downtown Weslaco, Texas Blvd., Weslaco, United States
The Texas Onion Fest celebrates the development of the world famous Texas 1015 Onion which was developed in Weslaco. The name of the 1015 onion came from the suggested planting date, Oct. 15.
The festivities include live entertainment on two stages, the exciting Onion Eating Contest, food, commercial booths, kiddie rides, two performances by the Dancing Horses at the Charro Arena, 1015 Market, Car Show, cooking demonstrations at the Culinary Center and more.
Gates open Saturday at 10 a.m. Parking and admission for 2022 are free.
For more information, call the Weslaco Area Chamber of Commerce.

Brownsville Chamber Connect +
2022-03-28 10:00 - 11:00 | Brownsville Chamber of Commerce, 1600 University Blvd., Brownsville, TX, 78520, United States
Join the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce March 28 for Chamber Connect + to learn more about what the local chamber of commerce can do for you. Members can also receive a refresher on membership benefits.
Learn how to:

Take advantage of your membership benefits
Join a committee
Stay connected with your members-only online portal
Set up your membership profile

This event is free and open to the community.
For more information, contact the Brownsville Chamber.

Tax Tips For Your Business
2022-03-30 08:00 - 17:00 | Edinburg Chamber of Commerce, 602 W University Drive, Edinburg, TX, 78539, United States
Join the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce April 5 for the “Tax Tips For Your Business” seminar. Accounting experts from CAS CPA LLC will answer questions regarding taxes.
Topics discussed will include:

100% Meal Deduction
PPP Loan Forgiveness
Donation Deduction
Expired Tax Cuts & Jobs Acts Provisions
Employer Retention Tax Credit
Optimizing Business Tax Deductions

For more information on this event, call 956-383-4974.
RSVP online.

GMCC Lunch and Learn: Business Tax Compliance Workshop
2022-03-30 11:30 - 13:00 | Center for Education and Economic Development (CEED), 801 North Bryan Road, Mission, TX, 78572, United States
Join the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce March 30 for a Lunch and Learn session on business tax compliance.
Business tax compliance requires, like individuals, for all businesses to pay taxes on the money that they report as income each year. Determining business income and expenses can be complicated, so it is important for small business owners to have a basic understanding of tax requirements.
This session and lunch are free for GMCC members. Non-members are $15.
To register for this event, email amanda@missionchamber.com.
