55th Annual Banquet

55th Annual Banquet - Man & Woman of the Year Awards
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce, the Chamber's celebrated 55th Annual Banquet, which will again include the prestigious Man & Woman of the Year Awards Program. The Man & Woman of the Year awards are presented to individuals who have gone above and beyond routine civic service activities to promote the McAllen community and its people. This year's honorees will be Karen Valdez and Jim Darling. The event will take place at the International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) on Friday, November 6 from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

The Annual Banquet Committee has been working tirelessly to create this special event with many new and exciting events planned for the entire evening. The theme this year is "Rock & Blues" Cajun Jamboree and will feature an open bar, seafood buffet of shrimp boil, jambalaya & fried fish. Let's not forget an array of exquisite items to be auctioned during the silent & live auction. For more information, contact Blanca at 682-2871.

HARMONY GREEN FAMILY

The McAllen Chamber of Commerce is getting ready to welcome a group of 90 Japanese member of the Harmony Green Family : the group will be in McAllen to attend work shops and meetings and will tour our area. The group visiting McAllen is an example of how the City of Palms is becoming more attractive to International groups.

Thank you,

Teo Rojas

Candlelight Posada Draws Near

It is almost Halloween and that means that we are getting close to McAllen's 27th annual Candlelight Posada. This years event promises to be a wonderful family event with more things for all members of the family. There is still time for non-profit organizations to get a Food Booth and for anyone to enter the Parade. For information on Vendor applications or for a Parade Packet, please contact Greg Schuller at 956-687-2787 or email me at gschuller@mcallencvb.com

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

My time with the Chamber and CVB has almost come to an end. My last day will be this Thursday, and I can honestly say I will miss this place. I have completed almost 400 hours during the time of my internship, and it all went by so quickly.

I have had the opportunity to work with great people during this time too, and I will forever be thankfully to them for the opportunity to work here. Aside from the people at work, I have also been able to meet people at all the mixers and events that the Chamber puts together. This has been great because it has given me an opportunity to come out of my shell and socialize more. I have made lots of new contacts such as Hidalgo County Judge, JD Salinas, who is also a fellow Aggie.

I got to be a part of a great event: the Green Living Festival. It's so good that McAllen is trying to be more 'green' and eco-friendly. It's also good that people learn the importance of taking care of our resources. While helping put together this event, I learned to work with others and how to organize it as a whole. I had to call lots of people and convince them to be a part of this. It was a lot of hard work, but in the end, it definitely paid off.

Working here has also made me rethink what I want to do with my future. Before, I was so sure I would be working at a hotel or resort. However, I have gotten to experience something different while being here. I am not sure what I will end up doing, but I am thankful that I got this chance.

Este es mi Mexico Art Exhibit at IMAS Until Nov. 15, 2009

Content from IMAS: http://www.imasonline.org/

Este es mi Mexico
This is my Mexico will be on exhibit at IMAS from October 1, 2009 - November 15, 2009

This exhibit is a collection of children’s art work from an the XII edition of the international children’s art competition sponsored by the Mexican Foreign Affairs Department and coordinated through the Mexican Consulate in different countries around the world. The opening reception will be on Thursday, October 1, 2009 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. and is generously sponsored and hosted by the Mexican Consulate.

For more information, please call IMAS at 956.682.1564

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.