The McAllen Chamber of Commerce is currently coordinating McAllen Day in Austin during the upcoming 88th legislative session. The capitol visit will take place Feb. 15-17, 2023, with an entire day at the capitol on Feb. 16. During this time, the group has the opportunity to make personal visits with every Texas legislator. The group will divide into teams and visit with assigned legislators so they get to meet with…
Every year, the McAllen Chamber of Commerce Man & Woman of the Year Selection Committee selects two outstanding volunteers to receive the honor of McAllen’s Man & Woman of the Year. Now through Sept. 2, the committee is accepting nominations for the awards. Nominees must live in McAllen or own a business in McAllen to receive this recognition. According to the chamber, factors for nomination include “acts of exceptional kindness and…
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has named Josh Mejia as president and chief executive officer effective June 29. Bianca Cardenas, who has been serving as Interim President/CEO over the last eight months will continue her role as VP of Membership Services. Mejia is an economic development executive with more than 10 years of experience in economic development, entrepreneurship, government relations and marketing. He comes from the Brownsville…
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the Customer Service Award. The purpose is to recognize a special individual(s) or business for going above and beyond in providing superior customer service or an unmatched humanitarian act. Past examples include: A dry cleaner’s employees returned money and multiple gift cards left in a jacket by the owner. A teacher took care of a student whose glucose was dropping to…
Eddie Mirza is a survivor of job layoffs, illness and economic upheavals, but there’s one thing he could always depend on. His talents as an artist, teacher and soccer coach have served him well, as has the multiple languages he speaks, giving him a versatility to make a living when buffeted by misfortunes. Mirza has worked at newspapers, advertising agencies, and printing and telecommunications companies. These days, he is up…
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce hosts its GoodPitch Competition Nov. 17 with a first-place cash prize of $250. The competition gives participants an opportunity to polish and/or prepare two-minute elevator speeches to a potential business opportunity. GoodPitch simulates the real-world process of promoting, selling or soliciting buy-into an idea, product, service or request. The judges will qualify the capacity of the speaker depending on how well the speaker takes them…
McAllen Chamber of Commerce’s I&E Network returns to in-person meeting Aug. 26 with “How to Break Free From Your Mental Barriers To Success.” All entrepreneurs may participate in this free community program. Shawn Elliot Russell will share tiny habits that will help you break mental barriers for success. Topics include: What creates the mental barriers in the first place? How to identify them. How to break free from them. The…
Join the McAllen Chamber of Commerce online May 12 for 1 Million Cups McAllen, connecting the community with entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs engage in a six-minute presentation followed by 20 minutes of Q&A with two local entrepreneurs. The idea is to find how the community can help those entrepreneurs succeed. During this free event, participants may network, give feedback or help other fellow entrepreneurs. They can also learn about the local ecosystem…
On April 22, the McAllen International Airport celebrated Aeromar’s inaugural international nonstop flights to and from Monterrey International Airport (MTY). The new nonstop route is the Rio Grande Valley’s very first to Monterrey. “The relationship between our communities is vital and will only flourish with our new nonstop flight,” said McAllen Mayor Jim Darling. “Our airport is leading the region in creating these connections. We are grateful for our partnership with…
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce is currently accepting applications for its Innovation Grant Awards. The awards’ grant funding of $50,000 annually encourages product innovation and business creation in the McAllen area. Past winners have been able to take their idea from the drawing board to the marketplace due to the grants. An applicant may request up to $10,000 to establish, expand, develop or advance a new product/service idea. The new…