March 1, 2004 March 2004   VOLUME 1 ISSUE 18  
OUR VISION & MISSION
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.
A SPECIAL THANKS

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 and Coffee Dreams - Business Builders and VIP Coffee.

MEMBER BUY MEMBER
Click here to view the latest Member Buy Member participant list.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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

T. Randall (Randy) Sandifer
Attorney at Law

Andy Stewart
Compliments, LLC 

Peter Vargas
City of Allen

Jim Waldbauer
BW2 Engineers

Staff

Pam Fechter
Membership

Julie Hynes
Administrative Assistant

Carol Rodgers
Operations

MAJOR INVESTORS
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
CONTENTS
Chairman's Message
March Membership Luncheon
Business After Hours
Ambassadors Reorganize for 2004
Collin County Economic Summit
Renewing Members
New Members Join Chamber
Leadership Allen goes "Back to School"
Help Us Say Goodbye
A New Voice at the Chamber
SCORE Counseling at Chamber
Chamber Introduces Book Club
Capitol Steps
Membership Events
Allen Community Outreach Spring Events
Heritage Guild Spring Fundraiser at the Depot!
City Collecting Used Items
American Cancer Society Announces Relay For Life
The Circus is Coming to Town!
Calendar of Events
Huffman Builders Announces New Project
ARCHIVE
February 2004
February 2, 2004
Vol. 1 Issue 17
January 2004
January 6, 2004
Vol. 1 Issue 16
December 2003
December 1, 2003
Vol. 1 Issue 15
November 2003
November 1, 2003
Vol. 1 Issue 14
October 2003
October 1, 2003
Vol. 1 Issue 13
September 2003
September 1, 2003
Vol. 1 Issue 12
August, 2003
August 1, 2003
Vol. 1 Issue 11
July 1, 2003
July 1, 2003
Vol. 1 Issue 10

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Chairman's Message
by Sheila McKinney, Presbyterian Hospital of Allen

Last week, Sharon Mayer, Patti McKee and I met with our respective peer group from the Frisco, McKinney and Plano Chambers of Commerce. The purpose of that meeting was to begin discussing common issues and concerns facing our business communities. As I am sure everyone understands, the thinking is that our combined voices will be stronger and resonate more loudly than any one voice could.

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March Membership Luncheon

Please join us at the March Membership Luncheon on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 at the Hilton Garden Inn at 11:30 a.m., featuring a presentation by The McKinney Marshals. Reservations can be made by calling 972-727-5585 or email reservations@allenchamber.com. The cost is $20 for members and $22 for invoiced or prospective members. The luncheon is sponsored by The Dallas Morning News and WFAA Channel 8, The Spirit of Texas.

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Business After Hours

The March Business After Hours will be on Thursday, March 18, 2004 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. at Tailgaters, located at 604 W. Bethany, Suite 107. A ribbon cutting will be held at 6:00 p.m. to celebrate the opening of one of Allen's newest restaurants. Bring plenty of business cards and come ready to network!

 
Ambassadors Reorganize for 2004

The Chamber Ambassadors have reorganized for 2004. Patricia Watson, CPA was appointed as chair and Jimmy Trickett of Keller Williams as vice-chair. Al Rodriguez of AROD Agency and John Stufflebeam of WYER Energy Consultants are the team captains.

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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.

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Renewing Members

The Chamber would like to thank those members who have renewed their membership investment. Your continued support is appreciated!

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New Members Join Chamber

The Chamber has added several new members during the month of March. Please print this list and insert it into your membership directory. Remember to support your fellow Chamber members!

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Leadership Allen goes "Back to School"

February 20th was “back to school” day for Leadership Allen Class XV. The group toured the CCCC Spring Creek Campus, Allen High School and Boyd and Marion Elementary Schools. In addition, they met with Dr. Cary Israel and Lisa Vasquez of CCCC and Tim Carroll and Steve West of AISD.

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Help Us Say Goodbye

As many of you may know, Pam Fechter, Director of Membership Services, will be leaving the Chamber to join her husband who has accepted another job in Ohio. Pam has been a tremendous asset to the Chamber staff and will be sorely missed. Please join us in sending her off on Friday, March 26, 2004 at Twin Creeks Golf Club.

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A New Voice at the Chamber

If you have called or visited the Chamber office recently, most likely you were greeted by Administrative Assistant Julie Hynes, the newest member of the Chamber staff. We are pleased to have her join us. Stop by or call the office and get to know Julie.

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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 from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. to meet with clients.  To schedule an appointment, please contact the Chamber office at 972-727-5585.

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Chamber Introduces Book Club

The Allen Chamber of Commerce is introducing the Business Boosters Book Club. The purpose of the book club is to encourage entrepreneurial spirit, broaden knowledge of business, sales and marketing tactics, and to exchange ideas that impact the readers. The first meeting will be on Friday, April 23, 2004 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Chamber boardroom.

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Capitol Steps
by State Rep. Ken Paxton

As the elections near, Representative Paxton will continue to offer articles that explain the distinct roles of various statewide elected offices. The number of positions listed on the ballot frustrates many voters. This often causes voter drop-off, meaning voters may cast their vote for individuals at the top of the ballot (President or Governor), but decline to make a decision on other positions appearing further down. Since every elected office affects Texans, voters should carefully consider each position when casting their ballots. Hopefully, these articles will help Collin County constituents make more educated and informed decisions in the ballot booth.

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Membership Events

The Chamber provided opportunities for networking and ribbon cuttings during the month of February.

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Allen Community Outreach Spring Events

Spring is gearing up to be a busy time for the Allen Community Outreach Center. They are hosting several events in the next few months and your support is appreciated.

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Heritage Guild Spring Fundraiser at the Depot!

DAVE TANNER will be presenting his musical entertainment "TEXAS ATTITUDES" at the Heritage Guild Spring Fundraiser. The event is on March 26, 2004 from 6:30 - 9:30 pm at the Allen Heritage Center. Tickets are $35 per person.

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City Collecting Used Items

The City of Allen, CWD and Keep Allen Beautiful are hosting the annual Trash Off on Saturday, April 24 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Just follow the event signs on W. Exchange Parkway, west of US 75. This a perfect time to get rid of your unwanted junk!

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American Cancer Society Announces Relay For Life

Allen’s walkers and runners go around the clock in the battle against cancer during the American Cancer Society Relay For Life. This “celebration of life” brings numerous groups and individuals concerned about cancer together for a unified effort to fight back. Teams of enthusiastic citizens from all walks of life will gather at Allen High School Practice Field for a 12-hour relay against cancer from 6:00 PM on May 7, 2004 at 6 PM until 6AM on May 8, 2004.

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The Circus is Coming to Town!

The Allen Kiwanis Club is sponsoring the annual Carson & Barnes circus from April 2 - 4, 2004, located on the west side of US 75 between McDermott and Exchange Parkway, just south of Presbyterian Hospital and near the water tower. The Circus is a major fundraiser for the Kiwanis Club of Allen and helps to support programs dedicated primarily to the children and their families of Allen and the surrounding area.

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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.

 
Huffman Builders Announces New Project

Huffman Builders has announced they will be starting The Villages at Alma & McDermott, a new commercial project in Allen at the SE Corner of Alma & McDermott. It will be a three-phase project of which the first phase should commence in the next 45 days. For more information, visit their website at www.jhuffman@jhuffman.com to view services provided and /or call one of their Commercial Brokers to get a lease vs buy comparison, Katina Zepp at 214 325 1960 or Max Huffman at 214 325 4924.
 
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