11th Annual Chamber Golf Classic
Take Your Business to the Golf Course May 6th
Take your business out of the board room and to the golf course for the Annual Chamber Golf Tournament. Tuesday, May 6th many golfers, volunteers and businesses will be out on the golf course at Stonebridge Ranch - The Hills Course - enjoying a great day while they play a golf, do business and participate in a lot of quality networking. Individual player fee is $195 and reservations can be made by contacting Sharon Montgomery at 972-542-0163 or smontgomery@mckinneytx.org.
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Solicitor General of Texas to Speak at Quarterly Membership Lunch
Make Your Reservations for May 15th!
Join the McKinney Chamber of Commerce for the Quarterly Membership Lunch featuring keynote speaker, Ted Cruz, Solicitor General of Texas.
Cruz is the first Hispanic Solicitor General in Texas and, when appointed, was the youngest Solicitor General in the United States. Cruz has authored over 70 U.S. Supreme Court briefs and presented thirty-one oral arguments, including eight in the U.S. Supreme Court. He has argued more cases before the U.S. Supreme Court than any other lawyer in Texas.
His representation of the State of Texas includes:
- Successfully defending the constitutionality of the Texas Ten Commandments monument before the Fifth Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court.
- Authoring a U.S. Supreme Court brief for all 50 States successfully defending the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Defending for 31 States the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms before the U.S. Supreme Court.
The program and lunch is $25 for Chamber Members who register and pay in advance or at the door and $35 for non-members, walk-ins, and Members who pay by invoice. To register call Sharon Montgomery at 972-542-0163 or smontgomery@mckinneytx.org.
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Marketing on a Shoestring
WAM Breakfast to Focus on Marketing Strategies
Want to spread the word about your business? Want to increase your company's exposure AND the bottom line? Do you have a limited budget for marketing?
Then make sure to attend the next Women's Alliance of McKinney Breakfast. The topic is "Marketing on a Shoestring" and is presented by Kelly Accetta. It is open to all Chamber Members, Women's Alliance of McKinney Members and guests.
The meeting will be held at Eldorado Country Club, 2604 Country Club, on Friday, May 9 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. The program and breakfast is $15 for WAM and Chamber Members with reservations or payment at the door, and $25 for all others or to be invoiced. To make a reservation contact Sharon Montgomery at 972-542-0163 or smontgomery@mckinneytx.org.
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VOTE!
Early Voting Continues, Election Day is May 10
You have until Tuesday to cast an early ballot in the May 10th Elections!
Early voting times and dates:
- Monday, May 5 through Tuesday, May 6 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Early voters can vote at any early voting location.
- McKinney Performing Arts Center, 111 N. Tennessee Street
- Collin College Central Park Campus, 2200 West University Drive
- Collin County Election Office, 2010 Redbud, Suite 102
- Fire Station #5, 6600 W. Virginia Parkway
The McKinney Chamber of Commerce's political action committee, CIVBIC (Committee to Inform Voters on Business Issues and Candidates) recently announced their endorsements in the McKinney City Council and McKinney ISD Board races. Click on the link below to learn about the endorsements.
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Cash for Candidates
CIVBIC Fundraiser Brings in Dollars
Account Update:
Available funds for Issues - $34,628.28
Available funds for Candidates - $5,565.44
The Committee to Inform Voters on Business Issues and Candidates has launched its Cash for Candidate Campaign. The Chamber Board has authorized CIVBIC to conduct a raffle at each Chamber event. CIVBIC has now raised a total of over $1,400 through selling raffle tickets for various prizes at our Chamber events. Be sure to find someone with a bright colored sticker that reads, "Cash for Candidates" at the next Chamber event to find out where to purchase your tickets!
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Thinking of Running for Local Public Office?
Get the Tools to Run a Successful Campaign at 'Candidate School'
If you are interested in running for a local public office, but are unsure of where to start the campaigning process then you need to attend Collin County Candidate School. The next class will be held May 17 at Collin College Central Park Campus from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The topics range from examining whether you’re ready to run for office to basic campaign strategies to procedure for filing for placement on the ballot and reporting contributions. John Roach, Jr., will facilitate the day-long training. Roach, State 296th District Judge, Roach, along with other guest speakers, will give Candidate School students the tools they need to run a campaign. The first session will focus on a personal checklist individuals thinking of running for office should consider. The class will also give basic information like where to file for a spot on the ballot as well as laws dictating reporting contributions. The school will touch on building a solid campaign team and developing winning strategies.
Candidate School is open to any civically-minded citizen of Collin County and is being co-sponsored by the Plano, Allen and Frisco Chambers of Commerce. It is $25 to attend. For more information, contact the McKinney Chamber of Commerce at 972-542-0163 or lferrell@mckinneytx.org.
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Develop the Leader in YOU!
Citizenship McKinney Applications are Available
At a time of unprecedented challenges facing our nation, local communities, businesses, social services and families, leadership is essential. Citizenship McKinney is committed to educating and developing future leaders to ensure that this community and surrounding area has this leadership.
Beginning in August Citizenship McKinney will begin its 21st year with a new class of participants. Spanning 10 months from August through May, the program offers an educational experience designed to develop an awareness of the City of McKinney and its relationship with the Metroplex, and provides personal leadership training.
Click on the link below for more details.
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Young Professional Networking
Join YP on May 22nd at Goodhues
Check out recently opened Lounge at Goodhues on May 22nd. The McKinney Young Professionals will hold their monthly Business After Hours Networking there from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Enjoy great food, compliments of Goodhues, and a cash bar while networking with other young professionals. Bring your friends, co-workers and business acquaintenances. It is free to attend, but let us know you're coming by contacting Sharon Montgomery at 972-542-0163 or smontgomery@mckinneytx.org. Goodhues is located at 204 W. Virginia Street.
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Member to Member Marketing
Publicize Your Special Promotion or Event to 1,700 Chamber Members
This program is designed to increase the awareness of Chamber Member’s special offers or events to other chamber members by sending an e-mail blast to the Chamber membership at a regularly scheduled interval. Approximately 1700 contacts are reached.
- The charge is $45.00 for a 3 month period for each program, event or offer promoted
- Changes to offer will be $25.00 per change
- Single month rate is $25
- The e-mail blast will be sent by the McKinney Chamber the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month.
- Information is limited to one paragraph (50 words or less) and one picture in a .jpg format
- Information must be submitted by e-mail to the Membership Services Director 4 working days prior to e-mail date.
- Information must be formatted by sender.
- All information is subject to approval and editing by the Membership Services Director.
Members of the McKinney Chamber are invited to participate in the program if the following criteria are met.
- Members account must be in good standing
- Payment must be received in advance
For more information, or to sign up for the cost-effective advertising, contact Kimberly Weeks at kweeks@mckinneytx.org or 972-542-0163.
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Green Living
Bike to Work Day May 16th
Participate in National Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 16, 2008
You are encouraged to take this day as an opportunity to break out of the regional habit of driving to work alone – the habit of 79% of regional commuters – in support of alternative commuting for one day. We realize that the infrastructure to support bicycle commuting is under development in many areas of the region and comfort levels for on-street riding are diverse. However, the physical, environmental, and mental rewards of commuting by alternative modes are numerous. Please also consider arranging a carpool or vanpool, commuting by bus or rail, or walking to activities for this one day in support of Bike to Work Day.
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Market Your Company To New Residents Throughout the Year
McKinney Living to Feature Map in July
The July issue of McKinney Living is our annual map issue. This issue is not only mailed to every household and business in McKinney, but is given out for the next 12 months to prospective and new residents. In addition, each business that advertises in this issue will have the location of their business marked on the maps. You get all this for the same price as advertising in our regular issue. Call our sales staff at 972-542-0163 by May 19th to reserve your spot.
Want to be in McKinney Living?
McKinney Scene is a new feature in each issue of McKinney Living. If you or an organization is holding a social event we want your pictures. If they are selected they will be seen by our 100,000+ readers! We’re looking for interesting pictures of smiling McKinney Chamber members. Submit your high resolution (300 dpi) photos to ahardin@mckinneytx.org. Be sure to identify each person (and whom they work for) in the photo.
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McKinney Chamber to House Ex-Im Bank
The Export -Import Bank Assists Companies in International Trade
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) supports the financing of U.S. goods and services, turning export opportunities into real transactions and sustaining and creating more U.S. jobs. As an independent U.S. government agency, they assume credit and country risks the private sector is unable or unwilling to accept. The Ex-Im Bank has regional offices in New York, Chicago, Miami, Houston, and Los Angeles. The McKinney "duty station" will be the Ex-Im Bank's first partnership with private enterprise.
Read more about the opportunities to expand your market overseas by the resources available through the Ex-Im Bank by clicking on the link below.
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It Pays to Attend Good Morning McKinney
Don't Miss the Alford Insurance Money Giveaway
David Bayless with Alford Insurance rewards Chamber Members who attend Good Morning McKinney. At each breakfast he pulls a name from the entire Chamber Membership. If that person is present, they win $800. If not, he pulls a name from the businesses that are present for a $100 cash give away and then adds $100 to pot for the next breakfast. The next Good Morning McKinney is June 20 and will feature former Dallas Cowboy Jay Novacek. For more information contact Sharon Montgomery at 972-542-0163 or smontgomery@mckinneytx.org.
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You Must be Present to Win!
Nissan of McKinney Sponsors Chamber Contest
Thanks to Nissan of McKinney for sponsoring the 2008 You Must be Present to Win Contest! Here's how it works:
One business card will be drawn at each and every Chamber function. The name of each winner will be collected all year long. At the Chamber's Annual Business Meeting in January of 2009, all the names collected throughout the year will be placed in a drawing. If your name is drawn AND YOU ARE PRESENT at the Annual Business Meeting, you will win a vacation valued at $2,500, compliments of Nissan of McKinney.
Keep the Chamber Staff on their toes too! If you attend any event (even committee meetings) a drawing should be held for those in attendance. So if a staff person doesn't do this, make sure you remind them, because your chances are only limited by the number of meetings or events you participate in.
Click on the link below to see who has won so far!
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Celebrating Success
Look What Your Fellow Chamber Members are Accomplishing!
This is a year of celebrating what makes McKinney great - the business people that keep our economy strong and help contribute to a high quality of life in our community!
Throughout the year we will take time to recognize the accomplishments of our member businesses and applaud the accolades they receive for their outstanding work. If you know of a business that has been recognized, pass on the praise to Lisa Ferrell at lferrell@mckinneytx.org so that it can be included in the Chamber newsletter and highlighted at Chamber events. If you need help writing a press release to be used by the Chamber, look no further than your own Chamber membership. Celso Martinez with Zenitram and Associates has offered his service at no charge in creating an article that communicates your company's success story.
Click on the link below to find out about Bob Tomes Ford celebrating 25 years of business.
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Celebration of Business
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Ambassador News
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New Members
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McKinney Chamber of Commerce Calendar of Events
For information on upcoming events, click here.
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