The Texas Festivals and Events Association (TFEA) held the Kaliff Marketing Awards competition this past summer.  The competition recognizes and encourages excellence in festival promotional campaigns. The McAllen Chamber of Commerce entered several categories in the competition to celebrate the success of McAllen’s newest festival MXLAN 2019. The McAllen Chamber and PolluxCastor, the event’s Creative Advertising & Production Company, teamed up to host the event at the McAllen Convention Center.

MXLAN is a 5-day event where traditions rarely seen outside the interior of Mexico happen alongside modern artists and revelers honoring their cultural roots. The festival, which included a Mexican arts & crafts mercado, food from Mexico and the Valley, a Mezcal & Tequila event, a Neon Nights 5-k Run, live concerts with music from local and up-and-coming talented musicians, and a dance troupe leading a Calenda-style parade from La Guelaguetza (an indigenous ceremonial celebration that happens once a year in Oaxaca), is now being planned for July 2022 due to the pandemic.

The Chamber received nine first-place awards from the TFEA, which included Best New Festival or Event, Best Single Magazine Display, Best T-Shirt Design, Best Cover Design, Best Social Media Site, Best Giveaway Item, Best Promotional Photograph, Best Newspaper Insert, and Best Company Image Pieces, as well as several second-place awards.  The Chamber’s Board of Directors were honored to have received so many awards for the events first-ever production. 

“We are eagerly anticipating the next MXLAN event scheduled for 2022, and we look forward to providing an event that celebrates our area’s heritage and culture,” said McAllen Chamber Chairman of the Board Bob Boggus.  “These awards made us very proud to have received in the event’s first year in existence and we are more than excited to provide our community with an exceptional event that has something for everyone.” The McAllen Chamber asks everyone to stay-tuned for news on the upcoming MXLAN.