June 1, 2004 May/June 2004   VOLUME 1 ISSUE 20  
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; Lone Star Pontiac Buick GMC and The Atrium Executive Business Center - Business After Hours sponsors; 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

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

Julie Hynes
Administrative Assistant

Brandi Loper
Membership

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
Frullati Cafe and Bakery
Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse
Oncor Group
Regions Bank
Sage Telecom, Inc.
Sanmina SCI
Twin Creeks Master Planned Community
CONTENTS
Chairman's Message
Experian Golf Classic
SCORE Counseling at Chamber
Golf Tournament Highlights
Chamber Offers New Direct Mail Program
Networking Events
June Membership Luncheon
Senator Florence Sharpiro to Address Chamber
Fill the Bus
Allen USA Celebration
Business After Hours
Business Builders
W.I.S.E. Luncheon
Business Boosters Book Club
Inside Collin County Business Offers Special Rates
The County Line
Capital Steps
Welcome Aboard Brandi!
Do I Qualify?
Allen Community Outreach Spring Events
Welcome New Members!
Renewing Members
April Events
Calendar of Events
Ribbon Cuttings
ARCHIVE
April 2004
April 1, 2004
Vol. 1 Issue 19
March 2004
March 1, 2004
Vol. 1 Issue 18
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

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

We often spend time promoting upcoming events, networking opportunities and other information in our newsletter instead of explaining exactly how some of these programs benefit our small business owners. The majority of our members are small businesses and the following programs are presented by the Chamber to assist you in promoting your business, networking with fellow chamber members and problem solving. We hope you will take advantage of these events.

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Experian Golf Classic
Chamber's 17th Tournament a Success!

The Chamber's 17th Annual Golf Classic was held on Monday, May 24, 2004. The tournament was a great success due to the support of our many businesses who sponsored the event. The golf tournament is the Chamber's major fundraising project. The proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Chamber's programs and long range plans.

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SCORE Counseling at Chamber
Appointments available each Thursday afternoon!

SCORE Representative Mel Biggs meets with client Kristin Smith of EIS Design. Need help with your existing small business or thinking of starting a new one? SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) can 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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Golf Tournament Highlights

A good time was had by all who attended the Chamber's 17th Annual Golf Classic. Top winners were the RE/MAX Town and Country Team and the team led by Kevin Kerr.

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Chamber Offers New Direct Mail Program

In an effort to better service our members, the Chamber will implement a new direct mail program beginning in June. Members will be encouraged to place a one-page flyer in the quarterly mailer. The mailer will highlight upcoming Chamber events and will be distributed to every chamber member.

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Networking Events

May provided the opportunity for Chamber members to network with each other at luncheons, business after hours and seminars.

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June Membership Luncheon
featuring Maxine Shapiro


Make your plans now to attend the June Membership Luncheon featuring a presentation on Thinking Quicker on Your Feet (and much, much more) by Maxine Shapiro. The luncheon is scheduled for Tuesday, June 15, 2004 at 11:30 a.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn. Please email reservations@allenchamber.com or call 972-727-5585 to reserve your seat.

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Senator Florence Sharpiro to Address Chamber
Eggs and Issues Breakfast

Senator Florence Shapiro will be the guest speaker at the Eggs and Issues Breakfast on Friday, July 23, 2004 at 8:00 a.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn. She will address the school finance issue and other special-called legislative sessions.

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Fill the Bus
School Supplies Needed

The Chamber, along with the Allen Community Outreach Center, hopes to fill a school bus with school supplies for children in Allen. The Fill the Bus campaign will begin in July. Major businesses, their employees and the community will be encouraged to purchase school supplies for under-privileged children in Allen.

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Allen USA Celebration
Special opportunities for Chamber members

Summer is almost here and that means it's almost time for the annual Allen USA Celebration. The Allen Parks and Recreation Department is already making plans for this event and are offering opportunities for Chamber members to get involved.

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Business After Hours

The Crest Place Apartments, located at 325 S. Jupiter Road, will be the host of the Business After Hours on Thursday, June 17, 2004 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.

 
Business Builders
Cold Calling Freeze-up?


Interested in growing your business? Then attend Business Builders, an interactive forum for new and established businesses to share their ideas, experience and knowledge. The next meeting on July 1 will feature a presentation on Eliminating the Dread of Cold Calling - Secure more appointments today to secure your profitability tomorrow! by Mary Anne Wihbey of Peak Performance Solutions.

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W.I.S.E. Luncheon

The next W.I.S.E. quarterly luncheon will be held on Thursday, July 29, 2004 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Allen. Andrea (Andy) Stewart will make a presentation on Professional Polish, Etiquette Survival Tips for Today’s Business Environment.

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Business Boosters Book Club
The Anatomy of Buzz - Read & Discuss with Us!


Always buying business and self-help books only to put them on a shelf?  That makes you a prime candidate for the Chamber's 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 book we are currently reading is The Anatomy of Buzz: How to Create Word of Mouth Marketing by Emanuel Rosen. We will meet for a brown-bag lunch and discussion of this book in July. Please watch the Chamber calendar for exact book club discussion time.
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Inside Collin County Business Offers Special Rates
Another value-added member benefit.

The Allen Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with Inside Collin County Business to offer free advertising for new Chamber members. For every new membership to the Allen Chamber that is sold, Inside Collin County Business will issue a certificate good for advertising in the amount of the new member's investment in the Chamber, up to $1,000. Also, in exchange for selling discounted subscriptions to existing Chamber members, the Chamber will receive a commission and advertising benefits. For more information, contact the Chamber at 972-727-5585 or Inside Collin County Business at 972-612-2425.

 
The County Line
by Joe Jaynes, County Commissioner

Recently the North Central Texas Council of Governments (COG) released their 2004 Population Estimates. COG is comprised of 16 counties which are anchored by the Dallas and Forth Worth urban centers. According to COG reports, this sixteen county region is larger than 9 states and, with a population of approximately 5.5 million, has more residents than 30 states.

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Capital Steps
by State Rep. Ken Paxton

State Representative Ken Paxton discusses pertinent issues such as Texas Homeland Security, the Texas Historical Commission, the special session on school finance, low interest loans and House Bill 1.

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Welcome Aboard Brandi!

Brandi Loper recently joined the Chamber staff as the new Director of Member Services. She replaces Pam Fechter who moved with her family to Ohio. Brandi grew up in Fairview and is a graduate of Allen High School.

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Do I Qualify?
Best Workplaces for Commuters
www.bwc.gov

The North Texas Clean Air coalition (NTCAC) is pleased to announce a new program that will provide national recognition to local employers who offer outstanding commuter benefits to their employees. NTCAC is partnering with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to honor employers who achieve the status of "Best Workplaces for Commuters".

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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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Welcome New Members!

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

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Renewing Members

The following members have renewed their investment in the Chamber. We value your membership and appreciate your continued support of the Chamber!

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April Events

April was a busy month with seminars, luncheons and networking meetings.

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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.

 
Ribbon Cuttings

The Chamber held several ribbon cuttings during the months of April and May to celebrate the opening of new businesses in Allen.

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April Membership Happenings

Chamber members took advantage of the many opportunities to network in April such as luncheons, breakfast meetings and receptions.

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Your Favorite Chocolate Recipe is Needed!

The Friends of the Allen Public Library are currently creating A Passions for Chocolate cookbook to be available this fall. Recpies are being collected so, if you have a favorite chocolate cookie, ice cream or drink recipe, please share it!

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