Texas Border Business
McAllen, Texas – March 27, 2025 – Today marks a historic announcement for South Texas: the highly acclaimed Border Texan of the Year event returns and will serve as the official opening gala of MXLAN, celebrating the region’s rich culture and outstanding community leadership. The gala will take place on May 8, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at the McAllen Convention Center.
The Border Texan of the Year banquet, established in 1989, honors individuals who have significantly contributed to the advancement of education, healthcare, infrastructure, economic development, and community growth across the Rio Grande Valley. The event’s prestigious legacy includes esteemed past recipients such as Governor George W. Bush, Senator John Cornyn, Charles C. Butt, Lt. Governor Bob Bullock, Chancellor John Sharp, Senator Eddie Lucio Jr., and Dr. Guy Bailey, who was most recently honored in 2019.
In an exciting new chapter, this year’s event merges with MXLAN, a vibrant cultural festival that honors McAllen’s ancestral roots through art, music, culinary delights, and meaningful dialogues. As MXLAN proudly states, “They are the roots. We are the flowers.” This dynamic partnership symbolizes unity between the legacy that is inherited and the leaders who continue to shape South Texas’s future.
The McAllen Performing and Cultural Arts Foundation, traditionally the producer of the MXLAN Gala, will co-produce the Border Texan of the Year banquet, alongside the Border Texan Board of Directors. This collaboration emphasizes a shared vision of cultural celebration, civic pride, and community transformation.
Together, these organizations will:
- Recognize and honor influential leaders in South Texas.
- Strengthen community pride and cultural identity.
- Support initiatives through scholarships and contributions to local nonprofits.
- Promote collaboration as a catalyst for regional transformation.
Isaac J. Tawil, McAllen City Manager, emphasized the broader significance of the event: “The Border Texan of the Year Gala is a celebration of our entire region. It underscores our collective identity and highlights the spirit of collaboration that is fundamental to our shared success. By aligning this historic event with MXLAN, we are amplifying a unified vision—one that honors every community in South Texas, emphasizing regionalism and unity beyond any single city.”
Border Texan of the Year Returns as the Prestigious Opening Gala of MXLAN
EVENT DETAILS:
What: Border Texan of the Year Dinner (Opening event of MXLAN)
When: Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: McAllen Convention Center
Tickets: Tables of 8 begin at $2,500.
Reserve at www.bordertexan.com or via email at info@bordertexan.com.
A separate press event will soon announce the 2025 Border Texan honoree.
About Border Texan:
Established in 1989, the Border Texan of the Year honors outstanding leaders from the Rio Grande Valley who have dedicated their lives to the advancement and betterment of the region. Through recognition and fundraising, the event supports critical community initiatives, scholarships, nonprofits, and arts organizations, aiming to foster a lasting positive impact in South Texas.
