Thursday, December 1,  8:00 a.m.

Join us for the last session in the 10-part series that focuses on a different idea each month you can implement into your business with little or no cost involved.

Topic:  Creating Business Alliances - With the right alliance partners you can expand your business, offer more services - even share marketing costs.  But how do you select the right alliance partners?  And what does it take to make an alliance really work?

Location:  Allen Heritage Center (Train Depot), 100 E. Main Street

Cost:  $10 (Members); $15 (Prospective Members)

Reservations:  Requested (email reservations@allenchamber.com or call 972-727-5585)

Tuesday, December 13, 11:30 a.m.

Join us as we recognize those volunteers who have served on our committees and board of directors. Holiday music and entertainment will be provided by the Sixth Grade Choir of Norton Elementary.

Location:  Hilton Garden Inn - 705 Central Expressway South

Cost:  $20 per person (Members); $25 per person (Prospective Members)

Reservations:  Required (email reservations@allenchamber.com or call 972-727-5585)

You are invited to attend the Chamber's annual Holiday Open House on Thursday, December 15, 2005 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. at the Chamber office, located at 210 W. McDermott. Please stop by to share some holiday cheer with the Chamber staff and fellow members.

Three new members were elected and two current members were reappointed to fill positions on the Chamber's Board of Directors. Worley Stein of American National Bank and Jim Waldbauer of BW2 Engineers were reappointed to serve three-year terms. Crispin Hocate of Presbyterian Hospital of Allen, Gene Rife of Stacy Furniture and Steve Rodgers of Emerson Farms were elected to serve on the Board of Directors beginning January 1, 2006 and will also serve three-year terms. Chuck Hoey of Rapier, Wilson and Wendland, P.C. was appointed to fill an unexpired term.  Welcome aboard!

Several activities are planned for this weekend to kick off the holiday season!

Friday, December 2 - 6:30 p.m.
Christmas Tree Lighting at the City of Allen Plaza.  Free entertainment and activities for the family.

Friday, December 2 - 8:00 p.m.
Allen Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra presents "Do You Hear What I Hear...", featuring the Allen Philharmonic Chorus and the Allen ISD Honor Choir.  For ticket information call 972-359-0656.

Saturday, December 3 - 7:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast with Santa at First Baptist Church, 201 E. Main Street.

Saturday, December 3 - 7:30 a.m. - Downtown Allen
10th Annual Rudolph Run with special appearances by Rudolph and Santa's elves.

Saturday, December 3 - 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Blood Drive at Allen Premium Outlets.  Donate blood to Carter BloodCare and receive a complimentary one-year membership with AAA Texas.

Saturday, December 3 - 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Allen Public Library Gift/Craft Faire

Sunday, December 4 - 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Allen Public Library Gift/Craft Faire

Sunday, December 4 - 2:00 p.m.
Allen Holiday Parade sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Allen.

Saturday, December 3, 2005 - Allen Premium Outlets
The first 100 Members to show their AAA card will receive an Allen Premium Outlets Tote Bag. One day specials and discounts will be offered to all Members. Participating merchants will have contests and giveaways. Carter BloodCare will be on-site 10am - 5pm accepting blood donations. Give blood and receive a complimentary one year membership with AAA Texas! Carter BloodCare is brought to you by the Allen Rotary Clubs. For more information call the management office at 972-678-7000.

Celebrate Allen, the Chamber's Annual Awards Banquet & Auction is a highlight of our annual program and provides us the opportunity to recognize those who have contributed so much to our community and our chamber. This year's event will be even more special as we partner with the Allen Community Outreach in an effort to assist them in recouping lost revenue when their annual Fall Gala was cancelled due to their involvement in the Hurricane Relief efforts. Celebrate Allen will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2006 at the Renaissance Hotel in Richardson.

Sponsorship and ticket information will be available in the upcoming weeks. Please mark your calendars now. You won’t want to miss it!

January's Business Wrap-Up, the Chamber's monthly business after hours event, will be held on Thursday, January 19th from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. at Jalapeno's, located at 121 N. Greenville Avenue.  We hope you will take advantage of this "strictly social" networking opportunity. Bring plenty of business cards for exchanging and to enter the drawing for door prizes. Reservations are not required and there is no charge to attend.

We think we've found a really unique way to help our Chamber members promote their business through sponsorship of one or more cards in 3,000 decks featuring Allen amenities, landmarks, city facilities, recreational areas and families. The cards will end up in the hands of new residents, new teachers and visitors to our community through the Chamber's distribution efforts. Interested in learning more about this great opportunity? Sponsor and registration information is available on the Chamber's website at www.allenchamber.com. Questions or need additional information? Contact chamber staff at 972-727-5585 or go directly to the source - Tim Alder, RM Communications Group, 817-488-1669. Click here to see a sample card and registration form.  http://www.allenchamber.com/pdffiles/AceDRegistrationform.pdf

Does your company have a job opening or do you know of someone looking for a job? Then, refer to the Chamber's new job bank.  Simply go to the chamber's website at www.allenchamber.com and click on "job bank".  You can submit a job opening online or browse the job listings. 

There are no committee meetings in December. 

Please note the Chamber Office will be closed December 23 - 26, 2005.