February 2024
Greater Eureka Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
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What a Night!
Chamber 2024 Awards Gala
January 26 was a night of celebration! The evening began with the presentation of our annual Business Awards, honoring nine exemplary businesses, organizations and individuals, as we gathered with friends and colleagues for an Evening of Intrigue and Wonder, at The Acres. Guitarist Jeff Smoller provided ambiance for the first segment of our event. California Senate Majority Leader Mike McGuire was at his energetic best as our auctioneer, in partnership with Supervisor Natalie Arroyo. Thank you!
Guests then walked over to Franceschi Hall, which was transformed into a Cirque du Soleil-inspired venue with aerialists, acrobats, fire dancers, facilitated by The Ink People – and a raucous performance by Amber Soul. A sold-out crowd of some 400 attendees networked, laughed, danced, and enjoyed incredible food and cocktails sourced from more than 20 locally-owned businesses. Good food and entertainment were everywhere! Six Rivers Brewery deserves special recognition for expertly coordinating all our food and beverages.
Thanks to the generosity of more than 25 sponsors, record-breaking ticket sales and successful silent and live auctions, it was the Chamber’s most successful fundraising event ever. This means expanded work in service to our members and our community throughout the year.
I’d like to give a huge and heart-felt THANK YOU to our staff, board and volunteers who worked for months to create our 2024 Awards Gala. Special shout-out to our dedicated Chamber Ambassador team, who go above and beyond every single time.
Nancy
Award winners:
· Foggy Bottoms Boys, Small Business of the Year
· Eureka Natural Foods, Large Business of the Year
· Shafer’s Ace Hardware, Extraordinary Business of the Year
· Jitter Bean Coffee Company, Customer Service
· Leon’s Car Care Center, Positive Community Impact, For-Profit
· The Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation, Positive Community Impact, Non-Profit
· Nick Bown-Crawford of Humboldt Made, Leadership Impact Award
· Lindsay Gilbert of Redwood Capital Bank, Chamber Ambassador of the Year
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2024 Board Chair Ross Creech of Quality Body Works at the January Awards Gala.
Welcome to the 2024 Chamber Board Officers and Directors
· Chair: Ross Creech, Quality Body Works
· Vice Chair: Teresa Conley, Premier Financial Group
· Treasurer: Dane Valadao, ReProp Financial
· Meghann Broadstock, Redwood Capital Bank
· Blair Brown, The Danco Group
· Rob Holmlund, Humboldt Bay Harbor District
· Ethan “Red Eagle” Lawton, SHN
· Gabrielle Long, A Taste of Bim and The Grind Cafe
· Meredith Maier, Six Rivers Brewery
· Matthew Marshall, Redwood Coast Energy Authority
· Amanda Nelson, Cal Poly Humboldt
· Kate Newby, Arcata House Partnership
· John Richmond, Times-Standard
· Basil Saied, Providence
· Colby Smart, Humboldt County Office of Education
· Kate Witthaus, Northern California Blood Bank
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Watch the Chamber's Annual Membership Meeting Online! |
If you missed the Greater Eureka Chamber's annual meeting you can still watch a recorded version online at eurekachamber.com or on YouTube. The meeting, held virtually on January 17, offers a review of our work in 2023 and what's ahead in 2024. |
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Read our Candidate Survey! |
Before you vote on March 5, check out our candidate survey which garnered responses from 11 individuals running for State Assembly and Humboldt County Supervisor Districts 1, 2 and 3. Read what the candidates have to say about the local business issues that matter to you! |
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Measure A threatens Humboldt’s small cannabis farmers and local businesses. Opposing Measure A protects the economic progress achieved through the legal cannabis industry, and increases public safety. Implementing this initiative would jeopardize an important pillar of our local economy. |
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The Greater Eureka Chamber is excited to announce the return of our monthly Thursday evening mixers in February!
Redwood Capital Bank is partnering with Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate to host the first mixer of the new year at Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate in Old Town Eureka! Join us for a SWEET evening of fun and connection and be sure to bring plenty of business cards to share with new contacts.
February 15
5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
333 1st Street, Eureka
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Next Level Class:
Difficult Conversations
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Gain practical tools to help prepare yourself and develop a path toward productive dialogue in this Next Level training: “Difficult Conversations,” taught by Chamber CEO Nancy Olson.
February 28
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Registration is required.
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Plan ahead and get these great March Next Level classes on your calendar!
Customer Service for Success- March 7
Public Speaking for Professionals- March 14
Leading through Emotional Intelligence- March 21
Influence Dynamics: Understanding
Communication Styles for Impact- March 28
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We are thrilled to announce the hosts of our upcoming 2024 mixers. These after-hours monthly mixers promise to be a fantastic opportunity for networking, building connections, and having some fun in the process. We have carefully selected a group of hosts who are known for their expertise, professionalism, and dedication to their craft. With their help, we are confident that this year's lineup will be better than ever before. |
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Join the Chamber Ambassador Team! |
The Greater Eureka Chamber is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to be Chamber Ambassadors! Our ambassadors provide critical support during networking events and serve as liaisons between the Chamber and the greater business community. They also gain valuable skills in leadership, networking, public speaking, and more.
Want to get involved? Download the application below!
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Get Exposure Via @visiteureka |
Work with our partners at Visit Eureka to help spread the word about your Eureka-based business or event!
Tag @visiteureka in your Instagram and Facebook posts or stories for a chance to be featured on their social pages, and use the hashtag #visiteureka for additional exposure.
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A Very Special Valentine's Day Dinner |
Celebrate Valentine's Day at Tavern 1888 with a romantic dinner for two.
Chef Woody Cabello-Penn has put together an incredible four-course dinner that includes charcuterie, salad, an entree and desserts! Did we mention rooms at the Inn at 2nd and C are on sale for $99?
Call 707-444-1313 to make your reservation today.
February 14
5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
139 2nd St Suite 2, Eureka
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Redwood Coast Music Festival Unveiling |
Attend the unveiling of the 2024 Redwood Coast Music Festival official poster and enjoy an evening of Americana music featuring Southern Soul, Alt-Country, and Western Swing.
Tickets are $10.
February 24
Eagle House Ballroom
139 Second Street
7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
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Join the North Coast Co-op Grant Committee |
North Coast Co-op is accepting applications to volunteer on its Cooperative Community Fund (CCF) grant committee.
Details about volunteering on the committee can be found on the Co-op website northcoast.coop/CCFgrants or by requesting an application from customer service in either store. Applications are due February 29.
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Join Chamber Members from across Northern California for an all-Chamber mixer at the Benbow Historic Inn.
This networking event will be complete with hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine, and prizes. Bring Your business card and a gift for the drawing!
March 1
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Benbow Historic Inn
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Business Loyalty Partnership Program |
Unlock a world of exclusive benefits with the Historic Eagle House Business Loyalty Partnership Program. Join the Historic Eagle House team in preserving history, fostering community bonds, and creating lasting memories, all while enjoying significant discounts on hotel rooms, event space rentals and bar and restaurant deals. |
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The first two days of March, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the North Coast will host its 41st annual Bowl for Kids’ Sake: The Bowling 20’s.
Teams from local businesses, schools, churches, and service clubs are raising money to fund mentoring services in Humboldt County through Big Brothers Big Sisters of the North Coast. Interesting in sponsoring or creating a bowling team? Click below.
March 1 and 2
Harbor Lanes
2136 Broadway, Eureka
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Coast Central Scholarships Now Open |
Graduating high school seniors in Humboldt, Del Norte, and Trinity counties can now apply for Coast Central Credit Union scholarships. Scholarships are awarded in the amount of up to $5,000 each, disbursed over a four-year period.
Application Deadline March 13
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College of the Redwoods Job Fair |
Elevate your recruitment strategy by participating in College of the Redwoods' College Career Exploration Day! Don't miss this chance to connect with aspiring professionals and recruit top-tier talent for your organization.
Registration is required.
March 27
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Eureka Campus Learning Resource Center
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Volunteers Needed: Walk to End Alzheimer's |
Looking for a way to help elders in our community?
The Walk to End Alzheimer's is looking for volunteers to join their Humboldt planning committee or to help out the day of the walk on October 19, 2024. Call 707-832-4577 for more info or download the flyer below.
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Redwood Coast Energy Authority Receives Resilience Grant |
The Redwood Coast Energy Authority has been selected to receive a $3,000,000 award under the California Office of Planning & Research Regional Resilience Grant Program.
The grant will help provide onsite electricity to fire stations during emergencies so that critical services remain available.
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Coast Central Bolsters Arcata House Partnership Program |
Arcata House Partnership recently received a disbursement of $70,000 facilitated by Coast Central Credit Union.
The money will go toward a program that offers unhoused individuals formal work training in the social services field to assist others experiencing similar situations to theirs.
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Emergency Coverage for Employees |
Jennifer Hart from Cal-Ore Life Flight will be reaching out to all Greater Eureka Chamber Members regarding Emergency Air Ambulance Coverage, as an added benefit for your valued employees. |
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5 Stars for Compass Community Credit Union |
Compass Community Credit Union has earned the highest, 5-Star rating for 55 consecutive quarters from BauerFinancial Inc. |
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You Can Help Prepare Humboldt's Next Gen Leaders |
College of the Redwoods, in partnership with the Greater Eureka Chamber, is looking for professionals like you to bring the real world of careers into their classrooms.
Share your experience as a panelist in a classroom, host an intern from CR, have a student job shadow you, or share your business expertise as a member of a career-specific, industry advisory group.
For more information contact:
Montel Vanderhorck, Director of Employer Partnerships
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Economic Injury Disaster Loans Available |
Benefits are available for small businesses, agricultural cooperatives, and small businesses engaged in aquaculture who suffered economic impact due to the California Salmon Fishery Closure which occurred April 6 through October 31, 2023.
The economic injury deadline is August 29, 2024.
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We Want to Hear from You! |
Your membership benefits include sharing news about your business with over 1,800 newsletter subscribers each month.
Send us your pictures, documents or a press release, the latest news, events and accomplishments (images no bigger than 5mb please) with a sentence or two as a description to [email protected] by the last Friday of the month to be included in the following newsletter.
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Thanks to all the Greater Eureka Chamber members who have already renewed for 2024! If you are ready to renew your membership and haven't done so already, give us a call at 707-442-3738 or go online to eurekachamber.com and log into your Chamber account. |
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Check out Premier Member Benefits and consider elevating your partnership!
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