We drive economic growth by attracting and growing local businesses and investing in entrepreneurship.

1200 Ash Avenue
McAllen, TX 78501

(T) 956-682-2871
(F) 956-687-2917

We engage business leaders, public officials and the community to foster an environment that will help grow and strengthen our economy.

1200 Ash Avenue
McAllen, TX 78501

(T) 956-682-2871
(F) 956-687-2917

We are dedicated to bringing you the resources and connections you need to grow your business today.

1200 Ash Avenue
McAllen, TX 78501

(T) 956-682-2871
(F) 956-687-2917

We create productive public and private partnerships while serving as a reliable source for McAllen’s tourism industry to boost the economy.

1200 Ash Avenue
McAllen, TX 78501

(T) 956-682-2871
(F) 956-687-2917

Stay up to date on what’s happening in the McAllen business community. The Chamber keeps you informed and puts a spotlight on the events and activities of our partners.

1200 Ash Avenue
McAllen, TX 78501

(T) 956-682-2871
(F) 956-687-2917

The McAllen Chamber of Commerce helps local businesses thrive by creating economic momentum, accelerating connections and enhancing the quality of life in the region.

1200 Ash Avenue
McAllen, TX 78501

(T) 956-682-2871
(F) 956-687-2917

Newsroom

The Day The Oregon Highway Dept Blew Up a Whale

As is typical of human nature, a crowd of over a thousand people gathered to watch the explosion. Due to safety concerns, the crowd was moved back a quarter of a mile from the site of the explosion. As if on cue, the crowd whooped and hollered in the first seconds of the detonation.

Then terror set in as large chunks of whale blubber began to rain down on the spectators. Even worse for Thornton, a large chunk of whale blubber crushed the top of the Army explosive expert’s brand-new car (remember he was the one who warned about using too much dynamite). This story continues to receive attention to this day, 48 years after the event. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but there are four key things to learn from this mistake (and all mistakes):

  • Don’t forget to ask tough questions. Before a person or team starts down a certain path, it would be good to ask tough questions. Has this been done before? Do we have the talent and expertise to make this happen? What are our other options? If this fails, do we mind if it appears on the front page of the newspaper? Take time to think through the solution that is being proposed.
  • Don’t get overconfident. Time and time again, organizations allow over-confidence and hubris to creep into their mindset - and then bad things happen. The business that is successful remains humble. A learning organization allows questions and discussion from top to bottom.
  • Don’t dodge the mistake. George Thornton never talked about his mistake in blowing up the whale and only granted one interview in the mid-nineties about the incident. He never got comfortable with how things turned out. Without the slightest smile or wink, he made the single statement, “This thing blew up in my face.”
  • Start with the simpler solution. We make things so much more complicated than they need to be. Many times, the simplest solution is the best and easiest and should be pursued first.
Slowing down, thinking through a problem, and asking tough questions can go a long way toward limiting mistakes and their consequences.

See you in McAllen!

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