Inside Collin County Business will publish a special section in their September 1, 2004 issue featuring Allen. They are a co-sponsor, along with the Allen Economic Development Corporation, of our Business Appreciation Week.

This section will contain information about your Allen Chamber of Commerce events during the week of September 13 - 17 including the Allen EDC Millennium Business Awards.

For information about advertising in this section, call Andy Hardin at 972-612-2425.

Applications are now being accepted for Leadership Allen Class XVI. Leadership Allen is a nine-month human development program designed to train and encourage Allen business people and residents to take an active role in determining the future of Allen. The objective of the program is to develop a heightened sense of community awareness, involvement and leadership. If you are interested in being a part of the program, please submit your application by August 15, 2004. For information about Leadership Allen or to obtain an application, log on to http://www.allenchamber.com/default.asp?display=lidership .

Sharon Mayer received her 15-year Tenure Award at the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives annual conference in June. The award was presented by Michael Meek, chairman of TCCE and president of the New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce. The Allen chamber also received third place for web site design in its budget category.

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 John Bick at Inside Collin County Business at 972-612-2425.

Robert Voelker, CEO Cleveland-based Gateway Hospitality Group announced recently that James Montgomery, General Manager of the Hilton Garden Inn Dallas/Allen in Allen, Texas has been promoted to Regional Director of Operations, Dallas. Montgomery will continue in his general manager capacity in addition to overseeing the pre-opening of GHG’s newest hotel project, the Hilton Garden Inn Dallas/Duncanville.

Prior to joining Gateway Hospitality Groups Hilton Garden Inn Dallas/Allen, Montgomery most recently served as Director of Operations for the Doubletree Lincoln Centre, in Dallas, Texas.

For more information on the Hilton Garden Inn Dallas/Duncanville or Dallas/Allen, please call 214.547.1700. Congratulations, James!!!

Allen Parks and Recreation is currently enrolling first through sixth grade students for the youth after school program. Pick-up service is available from Boyd, Bolin, Rountree and Vaughan elementary schools to the Joe Farmer Recreation Center. Recreation staff will provide supervised homework and recreation time from 3 to 6 p.m. on school days. A registration fee of $10 is required and the cost of the program is $40 per week. Financial assistance is available through the Allen Community Outreach. Registration is available at the Joe Farmer Recreation Center, 1201 E. Bethany. For more information, call 972-727-0152.

The City of Allen along with four other local recipients will be recognized at the Allen City Council meeting on July 27 for Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB) awards. The City of Allen received Gold Star Affiliate Certification as part of the Governor's Community Achievement Award.