a monthly newsletter of the harlingen area...

A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE HARLINGEN AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | January 2014

Chamber Board of DirectorsDr. Linda T. Burke ChairmanFrank Espinoza, Chair-ElectCarlos Cuellar, Immediate Past ChairLyle Garza, SecretaryRicky Leal, TreasurerNick ChandraJosh FieldsMike AllexBrenda IvoryRicky LealMatt StoneSue Ann Taubert

Business Matters is a monthly publication of the Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce. This publication is only available online. A link to it will be sent via E-Blast on the first of each month.For more information e-mail Jaclyn Garza [email protected] Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce311 E. Tyler | Harlingen, TX 78550956.423.5440 | www.harlingen.com Jan./Feb. 2014 ISSUE

xpeoBUSINESS

2014 Prime time La Fiesta del Mercado

President & CEOM E S S A G E

Big Things are happening!

As you may have noticed, your Chamber’s Governmental Affairs division is active and doing some really cool stuff. An example is the Buenos Dias! morning coffees that happen on the last Tuesday of each month. This year…all of 2014, Buenos Dias! will be dedicated to discussing the new University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley (UT-RGV) and the new medical school that will be attached to the university. We will have speakers who have information on the University to share with Chamber members.

The discussions at Buenos Dias! will center around how the University and the Medical School will pertain to Harlingen. What role will UT-RGV play in Harlingen? What role will Harlingen play in UT-RGV?How will Harlingen be affected by UT-RGV? How will Harlingen affect UT-RGV? What facilities of the University/Medical School are going to be in Harlingen…and what facilities are already here? How can Harlingen help UT-RGV? How can UT-RGV help Harlingen? What is all of this going to look like over the next few years? What are the goals? What does success look like and how do we get there?

These discussions will be positive and forward looking and thinking. The speakers will be people who have information and knowledge that will help you as business people make decisions about your businesses for the future that way you are prepared for the impact of this new University.

These discussions will dispel rumors and supposition. To that end, my request to you is that you take the time to show up, attend, listen and participate. This is a great opportunity for you to get in on the ground floor of this game-changing development. The entire Rio Grande Valley is going to be different because of this new University…are you ready for that difference? What

information do you need to have to prepare?

We got off to a great start at the January Buenos Dias! event, last Tuesday. Dr. Juliet Garcia, President of The University of Texas at Brownsville, was the speaker. She was tremendous. She gave those in attendance great information about what is coming. We had a standing room only crowd and lots of great press.

This month, on February 25th at 8 a.m., the next Buenos Dias! will feature State Representative Eddie Lucio, III. He is going to discuss the University from the Legislative prospective. I’ve heard him talk about this before, he is really great…and has great knowledge to share with you. I know…it’s early! But it is worth it. We’ve got other good speakers in mind and will let you in on who we get…as we get them.We’re even working on some … “field trips”!

Come….this is going to be good!

The other big thing that is happening is the Prime Time Business Expo: La Fiesta Del Mercado. This business expo will take place Thursday, February 13 from 5:17-7:17 p.m. Chamber members will gather to showcase your businesses. There is a lot of excitement happening surrounding this event. This is different than you’ve seen before. It will be very high energy, loud, crazy…FUN!

The general public will be invited. There will be food and drinks. Door prizes. Contests. And all in only 2 hours. More than 90 businesses have signed up to participate. This is a great member benefit. If you don’t have a table, you can still participate by attending this free event! Join us!

-Pam Priour

A MONTHLY NEWS LETTER OF THE HARLINGEN AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | January 2014

Pam Priour President & CEO

Titanium PartnersValley Baptist Health System

Harlingen Medical CenterUnitedHealthcare

Gold PartnersAloe LaboratoriesClermont, L.L.C.

Hino Gas Sales, Inc.Nevill Business Machines

Pena Eye InstituteValley Morning Star

Bronze Partners

Bert Ogden Harlingen Auto Plaza

Bill Guthrie SportsCard Investment Group, Inc.

Documation, Inc.Frost Bank

Gillman Auto GroupHalff Associates, Inc.

Harlingen Area Teachers Credit Union

Harlingen Economic Development Corporation

MacPherson’s Medical Supply Mood: South Texas Nolan Perez, M.D.

GastroenterologyMcCullough & McCullough

Platinum PartnersBoggus FordFirst Community BankLong Chilton, LLP

Silver PartnersAEP TexasBBVA CompassGignac and AssociatesIBC BankLinda Trevino Burke, D.D.S.Lone Star National BankJanine Marie PhotographyPlatinum Surgery CenterSalinas, Allen & Schmitt, L.L.P. Shepard Walton King Insurance GroupTexas Gas ServiceUnited Launch AllianceValhaven Wealth

Bronze Partners ContinuedPort of Harlingen AuthoritySecurity Service FederalCredit UnionTaglerock Technologies, LLCTexas Regional BankUhlhorn Family PartnershipsValley Baptist Legacy FoundationValley International Airport

Your Chamber StaffPam Priour, President and CEO

Sarah Trolinger, Governmental Affairs Manager Sylvia Mendoza, Business Manager

Shirley Bralley, Membership ManagerKatie Whelden, Events Manager

Jaclyn Garza, Communication ManagerTheresa Hurtado, Customer Care Representative


H A R L I N G E N T E X A S

E V E N T SFebruary 7:

Mayor Chris Boswell: State of the City Address

February 11:Stella Rosa Semi-Sweet Wine Tasting

February 13: Prime Time @ Case de Amistad

February 18: Design for Success

February 20: Shrimp Fest & Auction

February 22: Wild Game Feast 2014 , benefiting Ronald

McDonald House Charities of the Rio Grande Valley

February 23:Event at South Texas Senior Pagent

February 27: Jammin on Jackson Street w/Vance Greek &

Friends

2014


Floral Designs by Leti | Jan.16, 20131201 S. 77 Sunshine Strip

Harlingen, Texas

Valley Aesthetics, Diana Lozano, MD | Jan. 225505 S. Expressway 77 Suite 204

Harlingen, Texas

R I B B O N C U T T I N G S

Your Chamber is expanding its Ambassador program and is looking for representatives from different business categories. Ambassadors are what I like to refer to as “Chamber members on steroids!” They are members who attend most events and love visiting with other businesses to promote the Chamber as well as your own business. For more information and an application, please contact any current Ambassador or Shirley Bralley-956-423-5440.

Lucy Cadenas, Realtor Law Office of Delores ZarateSchwab Art Studio Vicki Moore Bechtel, Oil Gas & Chemicals, Inc. New Life Birth & Wellness CenterCameron County Regional Mobility Authority Bearden Auto Air Conditioning, LLCDennis on Call Joe WhiteEclectic Promotions Blue Wave Express Car Wash

M E M B E R S

W E L C O M E

Get Involved w/ Your Chamber:

network press

L I N K I N G B U S I N E S S P R O F E S S I O N A L S

x

Look out for the NEXT ONE!

A MONTHLY NEWS LETTER OF THE HARLINGEN AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | January 2014A MONTHLY NEWS LETTER OF THE HARLINGEN AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | January 2014

Your Chamber is expanding its Ambassador program and is looking for representatives from different business categories. Ambassadors are what I like to refer to as “Chamber members on steroids!” They are members who attend most events and love visiting with other businesses to promote the Chamber as well as your own business. For more information and an application, please contact any current Ambassador or Shirley Bralley-956-423-5440.

-Influence|inspire|connect

-Networking Opportunities

-Chamber Members under 40

Harlingen Young Professionals & Entrepreneurs

|Contact Jacob Boggus, HYPE Chairman, or Shirley Bralley, Chamber Membership & Development Manager at 423-5440 |

HYPEjoin

network press

L I N K I N G B U S I N E S S P R O F E S S I O N A L S

x IS BACK!

Look out for the NEXT ONE!

CONGRATULATIONS! AMBASSADOR OF THE QUARTER:

DECEMBER AMBASSADOR OF THE MONTH:

VICTOR LEAL | CYBERNATION

SALLY BARRON | VANITY LASH

get #social


Prime Time is set for February 13. Close to 100 Chamber Member businesses will fill Casa de Amistad for the 2014 Fiesta del Mercado themed exposition.

This isn’t your typical expo. The Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce is making sure this experience is the fiesta it said it’s going to be, all while promoting business and networking.

The amount of excitement and camaraderie that filled the Chamber during the Summer Membership Drive will be doubled at this event. You don’t want to miss it! Can anyone say “More Cowbell?” Where there’s food, music and beverages, you are sure to find good company and have a grand ol’ time.

Enjoy food from I Cook U Eat, Rio Grande Grill, Big John’s Bar.B.Que, A Berry Catered Affair, Wray & Company, the Marriot Courtyard Hotel’s Bistro Restaurant, Farmer Mac’s Kettle Corn, Orange Leaf

enhance IMAGENETWORKenhance VISIBILITY

enhance PRESENCEin the Marketplace

Expo to Showcase Member Businesses

and Best Catering.

Each business is encouraged to particpate in this fiesta theme. Bring on the cool table tops, sombreros and panchos to gain the title of the best dressed and best table decorated contest. This event will be free and open to the public.

The Mero Mero Sponsors for this event are: First Community Bank and Pentair. The El Socio partners are Frost Bank, Valley Telephone Cooperative, Inc and Valley Family Dentistry. A special thanks also goes to program sponsors: Turf Tamer Lawn Care, DigitalMedia Group, LLC, Smith Reagan Insurance Agency and Core.

primetime

2014La Fiesta del Mercado


primetime

TASTE LOCAL@ 2014 PRIME TIMEBUSINESS

opxeTHE

Feb. 13, 2014 | 5:17-7:17 p.m. | Casa de Amistad,1204 Fair Park Blvd. | Harlingen

Best Catering

Farmer Mac’s Kettlecorn


After a seasonal Buenos Dias hiatus, the Chamber’s Governmental Affairs Department event created for Chamber members to communicate with elected official to discuss ideas and issues is back in full swing.

On Tuesday morning, Jan. 28, the University of Texas at Brownsville President Dr. Juliet Garcia kicked off the 2014 Buenos Dias series dedicated to the UT-RGV’s Medical School at the Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Garcia spoke to a mix of Chamber members, ambassadors and city officials.

“In the last three months I have been to more meetings in Harlingen than I have been in the last three years,” says Dr. Juliet Garcia, President of the University of Texas-Brownsville. “Harlingen has become the meeting place for most of our meetings for the new university. There is a burst of activity that has already been created in your community. We have gotten to know each other in ways we hadn’t before. Not

that this is the first regional opportunity, it is simply the next great opportunity to install that kind of template in our thinking.”

Dr. Garcia spoke about the $10 millioninvestment to the simulation teaching hospital in Harlingen.

“This teaching hospital is the centerpiece for medicine.” This investment allowed recruitment of teachers and research faculty in science, technology, engineering and math at UT System institutions throughout South Texas.

“How are we organizing and preparing for UT-RGV?” asks Garcia. We’re establishing work groups with over 300 collaborators involved in academic programs and administration operations. Dr. Garcia announced short after that the UT System would soon be releasing the Master Planner for UT-RGV.

When asked about the importance of incorporating our border into the mix, Dr. Garcia said we have to embrace and own our geography. “UT RGV’s transformation of Valley has to include the region’s colonias. We are not shuffling the decks with new university; we are going to transform the valley.”

President and CEO of the Harlingen Chamber Pam Priour closed Dr. Garcia’s presentation by saying, “The Harlingen Chamber’s mission through this new Buenos Dias series is to spread the facts and tell the community we won big; the whole valley did with the creation of UT-RGV.”

The Buenos Dias session will be every last Tuesday of the month for Chamber members from 8-9 a.m. at the Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce. February’s speaker will be State Representative Eddie Lucio, III.

Burst of activity to continue in Harlingen through the creation of UT-RGV’s Medical School

2014 Buenos Dias Series

Photo: Left to Right:Dr. Juliet Garcia, Dr. Fleuriet, Arely Jimenez

A MONTHLY NEWS LETTER OF THE HARLINGEN AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | January 2014 A MONTHLY NEWS LETTER OF THE HARLINGEN AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | January 2014

Harlingen- The Pulse of the UT-RGV’s Medical School Series

Buen sDias20

14

H A R L I N G E N T E X A S

2014 Buenos Dias Series

Top: UTB President Dr. Juliet GarciaPhoto by: Jesse Mendoza, Valley Morning Star

Top: Group of Chamber members and city officials Photo by: Jesse Mendoza, Valley Morning Star

RAHC

Global Reach: UT-RGV will have significant impact on community ---Valley Morning Star


Youth Leadership Harlingen students get a first-hand look at local business and industry36-high-school juniors and seniors of the Youth Leadership Harlingen program had a first-hand look on what it takes to be a leader in the fast paced business industry, Monday, Jan.13. Participating businesses were Smith-Reagan Insurance Agency, ITD Precision, Colletti’s, The Reese, First Commu-nity Bank and Bicycle World RGV.

At 8:00 a.m. Monday morn-ing students were immedi-ately forced to take action when they walked into a boardroom room at the Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce with no place to sit, but on the floor. They were told they’d be sitting in on a presentation, but without chairs? Puzzled faces filled the room. But that was just the kind of atmosphere speaker David Smith wanted to get going. He thought it appropriate to get the young minds working and see who would react first to eliminate the no seating issue.

Students were challenged to be aware, analyze and take action and be leaders who step into the arena and make things happen.

Harlingen Commissioner Victor Leal followed Smith’s presentation by reminding students to take

part in the City of Harlingen’s Comprehensive Plan workshop focused on economic vitality at the TSTC’s Cultural Arts Center from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Jan. 18. Students will learn what it takes to be a leader in the community by listening and providing feedback to topics regarding economic development such as the education pipeline leading students toward UT-RGV.

Youth Leadership Harlingen Steering Committee: Anita Boswell and Missy Hays, along with

Chamber governmental affairs manager Sarah Trolinger took students to ITD Precision, Colletti’s, The Reese and to First Community Bank. Each business gave students a tour of its facili-ties and reiterated the importance of being proactive and

taking action in order to be successful in life and in business.

Monday’s session closed with a presentation by Henry Roberts, owner of Bicycle World RGV.

“An unexamined life is not worth living,” said Roberts. “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” Creating a future is exactly what the Bahamas entrepreneur did when he decided to

-More YLH Harlingen P. 11-


move and call Harlingen and his soon to be Bicycle shop home. The decision to be the best and allow his competitors to fuel purpose in his vision of success created a business that is now valley-wide.

Roberts’ presentation didn’t end there. He provided several demonstrations that left students in awe. It’s not every day you see a businessman bend a 3-foot piece of steel with his throat, crack a coconut with fisted knuckles on the first shot, or even do multiple push-ups on pieces of broken glass.

“You have to keep today’s youth thinking,” said Roberts. “As Steve Jobs said, think different, here’s to the crazy ones who see things differently and who push the human race forward.”

The next Youth Leadership Harlingen session will be Monday, February 10, 2014.

UpcomingLEADERSHIP HARLINGEN

February 18, 2014 |Austin State Government Trip


A series on Employment Processes

COMING UP:

brown bag

UTPA SBDC Series

Feb.11: Employee Interview & Selection Job Descriptions | Interviews | Hiring

March 11: Employee Development Orientation | Coaching & Training | Performance Reviews

April 8: Employee Discipline & Separation Corrective Action | Documentation | Firing or Separation

11:30-1:30 p.m. Harlingen Chamber

RSVP to the Chamber @956.423.5440

February 19, 2014 | 12-1 p.m. | Harlingen Chamber

Presentation By: Sara Van Wyk

Empower Your Employees w/Transformational Leadership

HR forSmall Business

RSVP to the Chamber

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