People meeting in McAllen can now enjoy baseball at both the collegiate and professional level. With the season just beginning I'm happy to brag about our University of Texas Pan American team. We have a new athletic director and a new coach who bring a really high degree of professionalism to this prestigious University-recently more famous for academics than athlethics. UTPA has a rich history of success in baseball and I expect it to regain that stature. Let me know if you want a schedule of games. Our pro league team, the Roadrunners, has won it's league in recent years past and also provides a quality experience. Both teams play in a relatively new and very comfortable stadium. So, let's meet in McAllen and let's go out to the ballgame! By the way, if you are bringing a group to McAllen and want a group outing to the ballpark, we can make that happen. Call me or email at 956-682-2871 jdeuser@mcallencvb.com

We've been talking about fishing around here lately. Turns out that Falcon Lake is one of the hottest bass fishing lakes in the country and it's only about an hour and a half from here. The Arroyo and bay between South Padre Island and Port Mansfield has long been one of the best places in the country to catch trout, redfish, and flounder for years. It's also only about an hour and a half from here. As a matter of fact, I'm fishing there next week! March is one of the best months, but actually, the fishing is almost always good there. Several hotels have expressed an interest in hosting people who like to hunt and fish. We are prepared to connect guests with outfitters and hunting guides to increase the odds of a successful trip. So give us a call and "let's meet in McAllen!" For mor information call me at 956-682-2871 or drop me an email at jdeuser@mcallencvb.com.

The McAllen CVB has embarked on a project to revise our web page. The web page we currently have is over two years old. Two years ago, people were raving about it because it was vivid, imformative, and easy to navigate. But, as an example of how fast technology and our expectations evolve, the web page is now a little cluttered, a little "busy" and not as vibrant in impact as it was. We started to "tweak it" and then decided it needed more than tweaking. MPC, our award winning web developer, has already designed a new home page that we like a lot and will, within a few weeks, fill the page up with photos, information, calenders, and perhaps most important, easy to navigate links to hotels, attractions, meeting planner information as well as other critical content. Soooo, give us a look in April and tell us what you think! Your feed back is valued and you can reach me at jdeuser@mcallencvb.com or 956-682-2871

McAllen CVB attends 2010 Southwest Showcase in Austin

The McAllen Convention & Visitors Bureau attended the 2010 Southwest Showcase Meeting Planning Networking Event in Austin. The event was in early February.

Pam Alvarez, my sales manager, and I were very lucky to have wonderful people with us representing McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley in our booth.

I would like to thank the following people:

Andrea Rodriguez, Lily Quintanilla - Embassy Suites, McAllen
Cindy Ehler, Cullum Wallace - Homewood Suites, McAllen
Rebecca Olaguibel, Laurie Pulido, McAllen Convention Center
Albert Gonzalez, Mercedes Economic Development Corporation - Outlet Mall

Again, thanks!

Ernie Arredondo
Director of Sales
McAllen Convention & Visitors Bureau

Usually, when a meeting planner or tourist is thinking about McAllen, the first thing they do is check out our web page. We think we have a pretty good page, but we are committed to making it great! We'll be working with our web master on a monthly basis for the next few months to initiate new informational "buttons" and to simplify and make the page more user friendly. we have already moved the "hotel" button to the front of the CVB page and we are working on linking every member hotel's page to our page.

We will be creating a section of the web pages to our McAllen Entertainment District soon. This exciting part of town has developed over the past two years to the point that it's a significant destination in McAllen.

Take a look at our web page and give us some ideas. All the good ones come from our friends who talk to us about how we can serve you better. You can contact me at Jdeuser@mcallencvb.com.

Let's meet in McAllen!

We just completed the McAllen International Travel Show which happens during the first week of January every year. We are proud that this was the 22nd consecutive year for this show which features exhibitors from literally around the world. We had over 120 booths featuring about 112 exhibitors from Mexico, the Rio Grand Valley, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Nebraska, Kansas, Canada, Europe and Asia. We had eight cruise lines who also conduced special presentations featuring Alaska and other favorite cruise destinations. Over 12,000 people attended the free show and the exhibitors noted that this may have been the most productive show ever. Next year's dates are Wednesday and Thursday, January 5 and 6.
Tell your friends to come and "let's meet in McAllen.

McAllen Convention & Visitors Bureau Celebrates Record Number of Conventions in 2009!!!

Well, today is December 29, 2009 and 2010 is right around the corner.

2009 has been an amazing year!!!!

Here is the list of some wonderful city-wide conventions that were held at the

New McAllen Convention Center in 2009:



1) Texas Health Occupation Students of America

2) Catholic Daughters of the Americas

3) American Legion of Texas

4) State Fireman & Fire Marshals of Texas

5) Texas State Chess Scholastic Championships

6) Texas Association of Sports Officials

7) Texas Association of Mexican-American Chambers of Commerce

8) Episcopal Diocese of West Texas

9) American Association of Airport Executives

10) National Association of Hispanic Publications

11) Southwestern Texas Synod



I would like to thank everyone that made these conventions possible in the Great City of McAllen!!!

Happy New Year!

Ernie Arredondo
Director of Sales
McAllen Convention & Visitors Bureau

McAllen-Edinburg-Mission Region Ranked 12 Safest in U.S.

Austin Business Journal - December 18, 2009 /austin/stories/2009/12/14/daily55.html

Friday, December 18, 2009, 11:42am CST

Austin-Round Rock safest in U.S.
Austin Business Journal

The Austin-Round Rock region is the most “secure” large metropolitan in the U.S., according to a ranking by Farmers Insurance Group of Companies released Thursday.

The report compares crime, extreme weather, risk of natural disasters, housing depreciation, foreclosures, air quality, terrorist threats, environmental hazards, life expectancy and job loss data for 379 U.S. municipalities with populations of more than 500,000.

Officials said high job growth and minimal housing depreciation contributed to Austin’s top rating. The area ranked 15th among large metropolitan areas in the 2008

El Paso and the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission region on Texas also made the list, coming in 8th and 12th respectively. Killeen-Temple ranked 12th safest of mid-sized cities with 150,000 to 500,000 and Midland is the 11th most secure of small towns of less than 150,000.

All contents of this site © American City Business Journals Inc. All rights reserved.

Get Ready for the 2010 New Year’s Eve Bash

City of McAllen


Heart of the City Director Alida Hernandez and McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez unveiled preliminary plans for the 2010 New Year’s Eve Bash and Ball Drop, Tuesday.

The event, coordinated by Heart of the City and hundreds of McAllen City employees, is expected to top the 2009 bash. Party goers from all over South Texas and northern Mexico have been invited to the grand celebration.

"This particular event is unequaled in McAllen. There is no event like it, in terms of size,” Rodriguez said in his opening comments, at a morning press conference.

McAllen’s 2010 New Year’s Eve Bash and Ball Drop, likened to the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop in New York, will be held on Thursday, December 31st, from 7 pm to 1 am.

Pertinent Facts
· New Year’s ball is 2 ½ times bigger; 15 feet in diameter

· In addition to 21 clubs and restaurants on 17th Street, event features 40 food booths & live bands

· Tickets available for VIP dinner atop city parking garage, through Heart of the City at 686-4357.

· Ball drop on Main & Beaumont, Bash Along 17th Street

· Carnival attraction for children on 15th Street, near Sacred Heart Church

· Event site between Bicentennial and 12th and between Erie and Business 83

· Parking inside event site to close beginning at 7 PM

· 2 free Park-N-Ride sites available (old Civic Center, 10th & Exp 83 and old Walmart, 23rd & Nolana)

· 20 city buses will shuttle attendees to and from event

· Alcoholic beverages sold and consumed inside 17th Street venues and 2 beer gardens, only. Beer gardens at 17th and Chicago and at 16th and Beaumont. Only plastic containers allowed.


CITY OF MCALLEN

The Best Little Office Party in Texas

The Best Little Office Party in Texas

This year say “Bah Humbug” to the traditional office party and make plans for your group to attend the McAllen Convention Center’s “Best Little Office Party in Texas!” A holiday celebration where small offices from all over the valley come together for one big party! Holiday parties are great motivators for employees and an excellent way to show how much you appreciate their dedication to the job. “The Best Little Office Party in Texas” offers employers a lavish event without the additional stress of the party planning. You and other small offices will enjoy an elegant setting complete with glittering holiday decorations, a spectacular spread of world-class food, and fantastic, show-stopping entertainment! Tickets are just $60.00 a person. Join us December 11, 2009 for what we hope will be your best office party ever! For more information: (956) 681-3800.

Last week end I took my son and his family (which includes two of the greatest grandchildren in the world) to Rancho El Charco which is located in La Joya just a few miles west of McAllen. Rancho El Charco is a "magical place" located on 180 acres next to Walker lake. There is a great restaurant right over the water, an adjacent outdoor stage area featuring frequent live entertainment, and for the kids a wagon ride through the property where they can see deer, exotic animals from Africa, a long horn steer, and other wildlife. The property also features its own naturalist who conducts walking and "golf cart" nature tours. We saw a really cool desert tortoise that we get to pick up and pet, a bunch of javelinas, bunnies, and peacocks and other wild life as well. We would love to tell you more about this great place that I have visited several times and I'm already looking forward to my next adventure there. For more information about Rancho El Charco, call me at the Chamber at 956-682-2871.

Last week my wife Joyce and I put up our Christmas decorations. This is a week long task because of the amount of decorations we put up. We think of ourselves as the "Griswalds." it all started about 20 years ago when Joyce's father cleaned up his garage and sent us four strings of outside lights. Now it takes us three or four days to assemble everything in our front yard.

There is something about the Rio Grande Valley that makes us do stuff like this. Christmas is full of lights around here. Last week we talked about the Christmas Posada in McAllen with a lighted parade. That same week end-and for four weeks before Christmas-Hidalgo, our sister city just south of us-celebrates its "festival of lights." The whole city hall complex, including the library and other buildings are lit. The grounds surrounding the buildings are lit. The Pump House, just a few blocks from city hall is lit. And I mean LIT! Every year they tell a story, they have childrens' choirs singing carols, they serve meals, they REALLY celebrate Christmas. This is also the week-end for Dias Festivos, which is a "market" at our Convention Center presented by the local Junior League. Truly unique items are for sale by hundreds of vendors. If you are looking for gifts for people hard to buy for, this is the place.

All of this makes the first week-end in December a truly great time to come to McAllen. For more information about these events or any others, give me a call at 956-682-2871 or email me at jdeuser@mcallencvb.com. Come join us!

MUSIC AFTER HOURS

Music After Hours is tonight from 7 to 10 pm at Archer Park in McALLEN! It is FREE to the public. So bring chairs, a blanket, or picnic and enjoy some great music in this great weather!


Thanks!
-Pam

Walking with Dinosaurs at the Dodge Arena in Hidalgo (5 minutes from McAllen, Texas)

After 65 Million Years, the Dinosaurs are BACK!

Come see these amazing creatures at the Dodge Arena from November 13-15, 2009.

Get your tickets via Ticketmaster or by calling 956-668-7740


I look forward to seeing you there!
Ernie Arredondo
Director of Convention Sales and Servicing
McAllen Convention & Visitors Bureau
McAllen Chamber of Commerce
Cell 956-240-8033

Be A Part of The Rio Grande Valley’s Only Marathon! - December 12, 2009

The Rio Grande Valley’s Only Marathon!

McAllen, Texas

Health & Fitness Expo: Saturday

•Saturday, December 12, 2009

Race Day:
•Sunday, December 13, 2009
2006 Race Demographics: 500
2007 Race Demographics: 1,051
2008 Race Demographics: 1,250

Fiesta Marathon History

In December 2006 at the first annual Fiesta Marathon & Relay Marathon, held at the Dodge Arena in Hidalgo, Texas featured a health and fitness expo, 5K run/walk, 1-mile kids’ race and a Winter Texan Marathon. The event was an overwhelming success, with 500 runners crossing the finish line. All proceeds totaling $5,000 benefited McAllen charities.

In December 2007, the Fiesta Marathon & Relay Marathon continued it’s success and reached it’s record goal with 1,051 participants crossing the finish line. The events were held at the McAllen Convention Center in McAllen, Texas raising more than 9,000 to benefit local charities

In December 2008, the 3rd Annual Event success out did last year by bringing 1,250 participants on race day. A total of $12,000 were rasied to benefit Palmer Drug Abuse Program.


Running For A Mission!
The Fiesta Marathon & Relay Marathon strives to promote and produce health and fitness activities
for people of all ages and to make a difference by supporting local charities in our community. All proceeds in the past three years have benefited Mcallen Track and Field Association, The RGV Junior Volleyball Olympic Team, School Based physical education programs, The International Interact Rotary Organization, The Vannie Cook Foundation, Upward Basketball Program, Palmer Drug Abuse Program, The Comfort House Services and The Junior league of McAllen.

The 2008 Races!
26.2 Mile Marathon – Start Time 6:30 A.M.- Sunday, December 13, 2009
5-Man Team Relay Marathon - Start Time 6:30 A.M. – Sunday, December 13, 2009
Half Marathon – Start Time 6:30 A.M. – Sunday, December 13, 2009
5K Fiesta Run and Walk – Start Time 7:30 A.M.- Sunday, December 13, 2009
1Mile Kids’ Race – Start Time 9:00 A.M.- Saturday, December 13, 2009

Major Race Sponsors!
TXU Energy, South Texas Vo-Tech, Little Caesars

Be a part of OUR team!
Race Incentives:
o The Fiesta Marathon is a Boston Marathon Qualifier!
o Race Results posted immediately!
o Online registration available.
o Finisher photos available to all participants.
o Schools can compete for 1st., 2nd, and 3rd place trophies.
o Items will be raffled off to race participants

We are looking forward to the McAllen Candlight Posada this coming December 4th and 5th. Saturday, the 5th is my favorite day because starting at 7:00 PM we have the Candlight Posada Procession with Joseph and Mary and a real donkey. We have shepherds and kings and angels all walking about eight blocks down main street to Archer Park. While we walk we sing traditional Christmas songs in both English and Spanish. Don't worry, the melodies of the Spanish songs are very catchy and we provide song books with the words for everybody. So you can dive right in to this unique cultural experience. We added a "new wrinkle" this year to the music. Thanks to Brenda Lee Huerta and Univision Radio we have all the songs and carols pre recorded in their studio so it will be twice as impressive as we sing "live" along with "ourselves."

The weather is usually mild and after we get to Archer Park we find waiting for us lots of food booths with turkey legs, funnel cake, and other great stuff. Come join us! For more information, call Jim Deuser at 956-682-2871 or email me at jdeuser@mcallencvb.com

McAllen CVB assists in Crop Disease Conference in Nov 2009

Researchers and industry leaders will be flying in from California and Florida to attend a potato and citrus conference at the NEW McAllen Convention Center in McAllen, Texas.

The conference is from November 16-18.

Upcoming events, historical info, what else?

The McAllen CVB staff has been writing about all sorts of things the last few months- conventions coming to town, special events, our wonderful nature and historical sites, and more.
What are we forgetting? What would you like to know about that we haven't mentioned? Let us know and we'll do our best to add it in.

McALLEN MORTGAGE SUMMIT - Tuesday, October 6, 2009 - McAllen Chamber of Commerce

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Scott Norman
(512) 423-4545
www.texasmba.org




McALLEN MORTGAGE SUMMIT


What does the future of the mortgage industry look like?


AUSTIN, TX – On Tuesday, October 6th, mortgage lenders, key regulators, and business executives from all over the state will gather at the McAllen Chamber of Commerce at 1:00 pm to discuss the policies that will affect the future of mortgage lending.

Please join the Texas Mortgage Bankers Association (TMBA) for a 90 minute discussion featuring our special guest - Texas Department of Savings & Mortgage Lending Commissioner Doug Foster.

Commissioner Doug Foster and TMBA Vice President Scott Norman will discuss the new S.A.F.E. Mortgage Licensing Act. This federal mandate is designed to enhance consumer protections and reduce fraud by encouraging states to establish standards for the licensing and registration of every loan originator in the United States.

“Protecting home ownership opportunities for Texas families is our number one priority.” said Scott Norman, Vice President of the Texas Mortgage Bankers Association. We believe the new regulatory landscape is an important and positive step for the mortgage industry in our state.” added Norman.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009
1:00 pm until 2:30 pm
McAllen Chamber of Commerce – 1200 Ash Avenue


For more information about the TMBA, visit http://www.texasmba.org


# # #

About the Texas Mortgage Bankers Association: Founded in 1917, mortgage lenders and settlement service providers have turned to the TMBA for our leadership in legislative and industry education. We promote fair and ethical lending practices and foster professional excellence among real estate finance employees through a wide range of programs. Today, as the largest state mortgage lenders association in the country, our members fund over $35 billion annually and our purpose is still to serve the mutual interests of our members and advance mortgage banking in the state.

Scott Norman can be reached at 512-423-4545.











Ernie



Ernesto D. Arredondo

Director of Sales

McAllen Convention & Visitors Bureau

McAllen Chamber of Commerce

1200 Ash Ave

McAllen, Texas 78505

Office - (956) 682-2871

Fax - (956) 631-8571

Mobile - (956) 240-8033

e-mail: ernie@mcallencvb.com

website: www.mcallencvb.com

I continue to be amazed at the growth of the Entertainment District in McAllen. This started out about two years ago with the hope that we might have five or six lounges, bars/grills, etc. with maybe a little live entertainment a couple of nights a week. We now have about fifteen or twenty locations in a district that has expanded from three blocks to eleven. There is live entertainment many nights a week and a lot of it is "high end" imported acts from all over the country. We now have lounges, bars and grills, and restaurants on 17th St. and on Austin Street as well. There are about a dozen more locations that are currently under construction. It's easy to see the ones under construction-the building fronts are covered in plywood and the sound of carpenters is constant. It's an exciting time to live in McAllen