Our vision: To be the indispensable resource for Allen and Collin County businesses.
Our mission: To support our members through programs that promote business development and encourage economic growth, educational excellence and legislative advocacy.
The Chamber would like to thank the following members for their generosity in sponsoring an event or by donating items or services: Bennigan's - Tuesday Morning Live Sponsor; Coffee Dreams - SOHO Cafe and VIP Coffee; and Presbyterian Hospital of Allen - Business After Hours.
Click here to view the latest Member Buy Member participant list.
Executive Committee
Sheila McKinney, Chair
Presbyterian Hospital of Allen
Patti McKee, Chair-Elect
Community Credit Union
Bob Rothe, Immediate Past-Chair
Fortune Financial Services
Maxine Sweet, Treasurer
Experian
Sonia Malone, At-Large
Allen Premium Outlets
Worley Stein, At-Large
American National Bank
Sharon Mayer, President/CEO
Allen Chamber of Commerce
Board of Directors
Bruce Heller
JaRyCo Development
Al Holmes
Optymize
Christi Jefferson
Christi Taylor Jefferson, CPA
Dr. Toni Jenkins
Collin County Community College
Rudy Mann
Sunbelt Telecommunications
James Montgomery
Hilton Garden Inn
Griff Moore
Atrium Financial
Dr. Jenny Preston
Allen Independent School District
Charisse Reaume
Allen Economic Development Corporation
Chris Ryan
Xtera Communications
T. Randall (Randy) Sandifer
Attorney at Law
Andy Stewart
Compliments, LLC
Peter Vargas
City of Allen
Jim Waldbauer
BW2 Engineers
Staff
Pam Fechter
Membership
Carol Rodgers
Operations
The Chamber would like to acknowledge and thank the following major investors
Platinum Investors
Experian
HIT Entetainment
Presbyterian Hospital of Allen
RCL Enterprises
Strasburger & Price, LLP
Sunbelt Telecommunications, Inc.
Gold Investors
Carter & Burgess
Community Credit Union
Frullati Cafe and Bakery
FSI International
Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse
Oncor Group
Regions Bank
Sage Telecom, Inc.
Sam's Club #4743 Plano/East
Sanmina SCI
Twin Creeks Master Planned Community
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Chairman's Message
by Sheila McKinney, Presbyterian Hospital of Allen
Perhaps the most significant issue that will impact the business future of tomorrow is that of school finance. The current method of funding secondary education in Texas was established in 1993. School financing is a complex issue. As a business person and Chamber member, I urge you to get informed and take a stand.
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Nothing But Networking Luncheon
The next Nothing But Networking Luncheon will be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 at the Brazos Cattle Company, 401 S. Central Expressway from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. After a buffet lunch, the tables will be cleared for a full-hour of networking.
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Business After Hours
The next Business After Hours is scheduled for Thursday, February 19, 2004 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m., sponsor and location to be determined. Please check your weekly Member...andum for updated information on the February Business After Hours. These events are held the third Thursday of each month. If you would be interested in sponsoring a Business After Hours, please call 972-727-5585.
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Business Builders
Allen is the Place for Business
Business Builders is an interactive forum for new and established businesses to share their ideas, experiences and knowledge. This new group, sponsored by the Allen Chamber of Commerce, was created in response to business owners wanting to share their experiences of starting or expanding a busienss.
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Tuesday Morning Live Now At Bennigan's
The Tuesday Morning Live! networking group has changed locations. It now meets each Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. at Bennigan's, located at 305 N. Central Expressway. Approximately 65 business men and women are taking advantage of this networking opportunity each week. The cost is $1 for Chamber members and $2 for prospective members. No reservation necessary - just come ready to network!
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Celebrate Allen 2004 Highlights
Celebrate Allen was once again a success thanks to our many sponsors and volunteers. A special thank you to co-chairs Regina Taylor - Foundation for Allen Schools, Kathy Litinas - Allen Philharmonic Symphony, and Andy Stewart - Allen Chamber of Commerce for an outstanding job in coordinating the event. The event truly was An Affair to Remember.
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2004 Business for Breakfast Seminar Series
The first Business for Breakfast seminar series will be held on Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 8:00 a.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn. The four-part series is sponsored by the Small Business Task Force of the Allen Chamber of Commerce.
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Collin County Economic Summit
Business and community leaders interested in the future of local economy will get a preview at the 2004 Collin County Economic Summit scheduled for March 30. This year, the event will run from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a luncheon keynote address by Dr. Steve H. Murdock followed by two rounds of breakouts and a wrap up session. The Economic Summit will take place at Collin County Community College District’s Spring Creek Campus, 2800 E. Spring Creek Parkway in Plano.
[Click Here for Full Story]
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Leadership Allen Class Happenings
Friday, January 16, 2004 was “Economic Growth Day” for Leadership Allen Class XV. Class members converged at the colonial-styled headquarters building of the Allen Economic Development Corporation, to begin what would be a most intriguing short-course in city growth and development.
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Street Named in Memory of Volunteer
Sheila Curtis Lane
One of the live auction items at Celebrate Allen was "Name the Lane" where the purchaser can choose the name of a street in Allen. The street name remains in place for one year. This year's "Name the Lane" was purchased by Gerald Ladner of Zurich North America. He was so impressed by the dedication and service of the late Sheila Curtis that he donated the name of the street in her honor. The street leading into the Joe Farmer Recreation Center will be named Sheila Curtis Lane.
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SCORE Counseling at Chamber
Are you starting a new small business? Do you need help with your existing small business? SCORE will provide you valuable business counseling, mentoring and ideas, and it's...FREE.
Mel Biggs, a SCORE representative, will be in the Chamber office each Thursday morning to meet with clients. To schedule an appointment, please contact the Chamber office at 972-727-5585.
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Joint Venture Announced
Statistics state that 4 out of every 5 businesses will fail. In an effort to increase the success rates of small and startup business, Optymize, a local marketing and business consulting company and The Wang Law Firm, a local law firm, have created a joint program aptly dubbed "Venture". This new program is targeted to investors, business owners and entrepreneurs considering investing in, concepting, starting or growing a small business. The program will provide participating clients with access to general business, sales and marketing, business development and legal advice and counsel for a flat monthly rate.
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Capitol Steps
by State Representative Ken Paxton
We often overlook the magnificence that is the Texas Capitol, the building itself. Even after spending the better part of 2003 in session within the Capitol, I never cease to marvel at the beautiful architecture and the history that surrounds the building. Also, in an attempt to understand why there is so much voter apathy in America, I have learned that many people believe our system of governmentis too complicated and time consuming to understand. Therefore, over the next few weeks, I will discuss the roles of various offices in Texas.
[Click Here for Full Story]
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New Members Join Chamber
The Chamber has added several new members during the month of January. Please print this list and insert it into your membership directory. Remember to support your fellow Chamber members!
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Membership Events
The Chamber started the new year by hosting luncheons, after hours and networking events in January.
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TxDOT Hosts Public Hearings
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) announced that they will be hosting a public hearing about the Trans-Texas Corridor. The Trans-Texas Corridor will move people, goods, utilities - and even ideas - through the state safer and faster than ever before.
[Click Here for Full Story]
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January Ribbon Cuttings
The Chamber celebrated the opening of a new business and several relocations of others in January.
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City Wins Award for Dam Preservation
The City's efforts to preserve its historic stone dam have been rewarded with a Texas Historic Restoration Award from Preservation Texas. The award ceremony will be in Austin on February 18. For more information, contact Tom Keener, Development Coordinator, at (972) 727-0122. The City of Allen has provided the Chamber with their schedule of events for the next several weeks.
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Post It Wearing Your Pajamas!
www.usps.com
You can access most postal services on your home or office computer at www.usps.com. There is no additional charge for these services. Buy stamps. Print shipping labels. Home-based and small businesses can use Click-N-Ship on-line.
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Calendar of Events
http://www.allenchamber.com/Applications...
Use the link to access the Chamber calendar and click on event for additional information.
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| MEMBER NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS |
Congratulations!
The Allen High School Escadrille students and staff will be honored as they are presented with the prestigious Sudler Shield on Monday, February 16, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. at the Allen High School Competition Gym. The Sudler Shield is an international award recognizing high school and youth marching bands of world class excellence. The award will be presented by Keith Bearden, Sudler Shield Project Director.
Dallas Blooms Spring
Spring 2004 marks the 20th anniversary of the Dallas Blooms Spring, which runs March 6 - April 11, 2004. Dallas Blooms is a celebration of spring at the Dallas Arboretum, which is arguably one of the top five floral display gardens in North America. This year's festival features more than 300,000 spring-blooming bulbs, more than ever displayed in the 20-year history of the festival. In addition, floral displays will include 20,000 spring-flowering azaleas, 70,000 pansies and violas and thousands of other spring blooming annuals and perennials. For more information, call 214-327-4901 or visit www.dallasarboretum.org.
If your business is scheduling a special event or has received special recognition, we would like to know so we may publish the information. Please send the information to crodgers@allenchamber.com or call 972-727-5585.
Special Thanks to our Sustaining Members
1 Year
Christi Jefferson, CPA
Crest Place Apartments
RTB & Associates
3 Years
Compliments, LLC
Kinko's
4 Years
Friedman's
6 Years
First United Methodist Church
Sandifer Law Office
7 Years
Allen Properties Online
10+ Years
Allen Sports Association
Collin County Care Center - Samaritan Inn
Frank Brown Investment Center
Kiwanis Club of Allen
Oncor Group
RE/MAX Realtors - Tom Apligian
Rodenbaugh's
David Rogers, M.D.
Twin Creeks Master Planned Community
January 2004
January 6, 2004
Vol. 1
Issue 16
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December 2003
December 1, 2003
Vol. 1
Issue 15
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November 2003
November 1, 2003
Vol. 1
Issue 14
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October 2003
October 1, 2003
Vol. 1
Issue 13
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September 2003
September 1, 2003
Vol. 1
Issue 12
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August, 2003
August 1, 2003
Vol. 1
Issue 11
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July 1, 2003
July 1, 2003
Vol. 1
Issue 10
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June 2003
May 29, 2003
Vol. 1
Issue 9
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May 2003
May 1, 2003
Vol. 1
Issue 8
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April 2003
April 1, 2003
Vol. 1
Issue 7
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March 2003
March 1, 2003
Vol. 1
Issue 6
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February 2003
February 1, 2003
Vol. 1
Issue 5
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January 2003
January 2, 2003
Vol. 2
Issue 1
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December 2002
December 1, 2002
Vol. 1
Issue 3
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November 2002
November 1, 2002
Vol. 1
Issue 2
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OCTOBER
September 30, 2002
Vol. 5
Issue 10
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