Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo Gonzalez
Just under a year into his role as the President and CEO of the McAllen Chamber, Josh Mejia has shown himself to be a leader with a vision and a dedication to the city and its business community. Having meticulously studied the city and its surroundings shortly after taking office on June 28, 2022, Mejia has now set his sights on how best to represent and enhance the services to the business community he so proudly serves.
In October 2022, Mejia shared his plans during a talk titled ‘Overview of New Chamber Initiatives’ under the auspices of the McAllen Citizens League, guided by Elva Cerda. Post-presentation, he took questions, shedding light on his thoughts about McAllen and his aspirations for the chamber.
Mejia expressed his appreciation for the city, saying, “It’s great. Never before have I experienced such a welcoming atmosphere as I have here in McAllen.”
His comments extended to recognize the city’s remarkable collaborative spirit. According to Mejia, the city’s essence lies in its cohesion: the citizens see McAllen as a single entity rather than a collection of individual organizations. “We constantly strive to support one another and cultivate collaboration, which is commendable but also requires safeguarding,” said Mejia.
Fast forward to April 18, 2023, Mejia and his team, in a significant move, unveiled a new logo and brand identity for the McAllen Chamber, signaling a promising new chapter in its almost a century-old history.
Mejia remarked, “It’s truly wonderful being here for over six months. I’ve passed the midpoint, and one constant thought keeps returning. It’s how much people here care about the chamber, which has been around since 1925. Trying to improve things in a place people already love is a big job.”
As Mejia refers to it, this’ big job’ is precisely what he and his team have set out to accomplish. They’ve embarked on a mission to enhance the chamber’s operations while preserving the unique charm that makes McAllen special. “How can we make it better while keeping what makes McAllen unique?” he asked rhetorically.
Mejia applauded his team, specifically mentioning some of his team, like Christine, Andres, and Anna Sofia, for their instrumental role in the chamber’s transition.
He also took the opportunity to express his gratitude towards those who’ve reached out to him, assuring them that their input plays a crucial part in determining the chamber’s direction. “Right or wrong, we’re all working together, trying to make the kind of difference you, our community, want to see,” said Mejia.
In the face of these changes, Mejia’s commitment to McAllen and its people remains steadfast. His tenure as the President and CEO of the McAllen Chamber, thus far, suggests a promising future – a future that retains the city’s unique charm while ensuring continuous growth and improvement.
With his inclusive approach and forward-thinking mindset, Mejia is charting a new course for the chamber.
The Evolution of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce: Looking to the Past and Building for the Future
When Josh addressed attendees, he mentioned that the McAllen Chamber of Commerce has always been a cornerstone of economic growth and community development. But with an ever-changing world and advancing technology, it is now time to not only embrace the future but also honor the past through a strategic and symbolic rebranding.
The new McAllen Chamber of Commerce logo is a testament to the organization’s deep roots in the community, reflecting its commitment to revamp four crucial initiatives—economic development, chamber activities, tourism, and government relations.
Initiatives: Building from the Ground Up
According to him, central to the Chamber’s strategy is the drive to bolster economic development, particularly among small businesses and promising entrepreneurs in McAllen. He said that the aim is to create a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem by consolidating foundational resources, thereby improving the success rate of businesses in the city.
Josh recognizes that in the face of the changing landscape of Chamber activities nationwide, the McAllen Chamber is keen to innovate its operations, bringing value to its stakeholders and promoting unique businesses contributing to the local community fabric. The Chamber prioritizes face-to-face interaction, as proven by their extensive surveys, and seeks to promote ambassadorship and foster camaraderie within the community.
He pointed out that tourism is another focal point of the Chamber’s revamp. “McAllen’s aim is not to merely match up to its neighbors but to compete with the top touristic destinations in the state. The Chamber works closely with stakeholders to ensure that McAllen becomes a must-visit location.”
He firmly believes that strengthening government relations is vital for the Chamber to serve as an effective conduit between the public sector and the community it represents.
The Journey of the New Logo: More than Just a Symbol
Josh said that to represent these four initiatives, the Chamber embarked on an iconic treasure hunt, tracing their steps through old news clippings, brochures, and logos. Their journey even led them to a hidden compartment in the McAllen Library, accessible only to a select few.
According to Christine Cavazos, Vice President of Strategic Communications, the new logo, fashioned through an exhaustive and inclusive process, is a tangible representation of the Chamber’s mission. Built upon the circular styling of a coin to a ring, the intersection of four rings symbolizes the unity of the four pillars—economic development, membership, public policy, and tourism—and the shared mission to serve the community. The logo is encased within a final ring and pays tribute to the iconic Palm Tree, deeply rooted in McAllen’s history.
The evolution of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce represents not just a change in aesthetic but the piloting of a new era of strategic development, unity, and community service. It underscores the Chamber’s dedication to facilitating continual improvement across all its departments, fostering a culture that thrives on feedback and accountability.
In these changing times, the McAllen Chamber of Commerce is committed to honoring its past while steering the community towards a prosperous future, becoming an increasingly vital force in shaping McAllen and the broader Rio Grande Valley. This renewed commitment, symbolized by the new logo, is a testament to the Chamber’s progressive vision and a reflection of the dynamic, forward-thinking community it serves.
This is the first of articles about Chamber activities related to the positive transformation. Written by Roberto Hugo Gonzalez,the 2009
