QUARTERLY NEWSLET TER THIRD QUARTER 2026
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735 14th Street FORTUNA, CA 95540 (707) 725-3959 www.fortunachamber.com Chamber Mission & Vision The Fortuna Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization of individuals and businesses that come together to enhance economic growth through the promotion and support of our community, civic interests, and member businesses. ©2026 The Quarterly Newsletter is a publication of the Fortuna Chamber of Commerce. Entire contents are copyrighted. No article may be reprinted without written permission.
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Fortuna Chamber Board Chamber CEO Update The Heart of an Old Depot Chili Cookoff Upcoming Events AutoXpo Country on the Coast Fortuna Rodeo Hops in Humboldt Welcome New Members Chamber Ambassadors Ribbon Cuttings 2nd District Supervisor Update Supporting Business, Tourism, and Community Growth Apple Harvest
FROM THE FOREST TO THE MILL TO YOUR HOME JOIN OUR TEAM!
Family Wages & Benefits Career Advancement Quality Lumber Products 3
FORTUNA CHAMBER BOARD CHAIR OF THE BOARD Brian Gonzalez, Redwood Capital Bank
Start right, Start here. HOME IMPROVEMENT MADE EASIER! Hours of Operation Mon - Sat: 7:30a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Sunday: 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
(707) 725-5111
1784 Smith Lane, Fortuna, CA. 95540
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IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Lisa Hummel, Hummel Tire & Wheel Inc. VICE CHAIR OF THE BOARD Cody Hurst, The Hurst Group SECRETARY Mavis Amen, The Fortuna Farmhouse, Famous Amens & Smokin Amens TREASURER Liz Deck, Reaching for Independence DIRECTORS Laura Morris, Coast Central Credit Union Becky Giacomini, Retired Community Member Kimberly Rossig-Roth, Buck Wild Boards & ProCycle Services FINANCIAL ADVISOR Greg Thomsen, Wyatt, Whitchurch & Anderson Inc. STAFF Felicia Thomsson, President & CEO Linny Dalton, Office Assistant & Tourism
Fortuna Chamber CEO Update Event season is upon us, and it is truly inspiring to see our city come alive with such a vibrant array of activities. While many believe these events are the result of a single organization, the reality is that our success is built on the hard work of many dedicated groups. At the Chamber, we are proud to promote these events throughout Humboldt County and beyond. However, there are numerous wonderful non-profits and local organizations working tirelessly behind the scenes that rarely receive the credit they deserve. I would like to personally thank them for the countless volunteer hours required to plan, organize, and execute these celebrations. If you are looking to get more involved in our community, I encourage you to reach out to one of these organizations; they are always looking for willing and able hands. Thank you for making our City such a special place to live and gather.
Felicia Thomsson President-Ceo
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Get all the latest news on our website at
fortunachamber.com
Co
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CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Upcoming Events
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best the
SHAKEN LEMONADE AROUND!
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(707) 834-3425
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Get all the latest news on our website at
fortunachamber.com
Tires • Auto • Trucks • Tractors Brakes • Shocks • Alignments 260 S. Fortuna Blvd. Fortuna, CA 95540
Lisa Hummel Wendy Hummel Kyle Hummel Owner Owner Owner Phone: 707-725-4120 www.hummeltire.com
Quality Used Cars for Less
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195 S. Fortuna Blvd. Fortuna, CA
(707) 725-6225
RaysFortuna.com 13
Welcome New Members
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Welcome to our newest members
“Every dream that ever came true started with a wish”
Raised Bed Planters
•Wishing Well Planters •Garden Benches •Raised Bed Planters
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812 W. Wabash, Eureka (707) 441-8855 Wishing Well Planters and Garden Benches
(707) 362-2808 1387 9th St, Fortuna
Raised Bed Planters Now Available 16
Civil and Environmental Engineering Geologic and Geotechnical Services Planning and Compliance | Public Works Infrastructure Construction Management | Biological Services Materials Testing and Special Inspections Surveying and GIS Services
Ribbon Cuttings
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T H E F O RT U N A C H A M B E R O F CO M M E RC E :
Supporting Business, Tourism, and Community Growth Many people are familiar with the Fortuna Chamber of Commerce through community events, visitor services, and business support, but few realize the extensive role the Chamber plays in promoting and strengthening Fortuna yearround. The Fortuna Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. It is not a department of the City of Fortuna and receives no general operating funding from the city. However, the Chamber works closely with the City, local organizations, businesses, and community partners to support economic development, tourism, and community engagement throughout the region. As the official operator of the Fortuna Visitor Center and the driving force behind Visit Fortuna tourism marketing efforts, the Chamber serves as Fortuna’s primary destination marketing organization. Through strategic advertising, regional partnerships, event promotion, visitor services, and community outreach, the Chamber helps attract visitors, support local businesses, and enhance Fortuna’s reputation as a welcoming destination. Each year, the Chamber promotes dozens of community events including Daffodil Days, Art & Wine in the Park, the July 3rd Firework Show, Fortuna Rodeo, AutoXpo, Humboldt County Fair, Farmers Market, First Friday Downtown Markets, Hops in Humboldt, Vintage Markets, Shuck Yeah, and many others. In addition to promotion, the Chamber directly organizes and manages several major community events, including the Fortuna Chili Cook-Off, Fall Fest, and the Al Gray Electric Lighted Parade. The Chamber also plays a significant leadership role in the Apple Harvest Festival, coordinating the Rohner Park venue, vendor management, permits, insurance, marketing, logistics, and event operations. The Chamber’s marketing efforts extend far beyond social media. Staff manage and maintain the Visit Fortuna website, publish event calendars, distribute tourism information, and oversee destination branding. Through daily social media engagement, seasonal campaigns, business spotlights, and visitor outreach, the Chamber helps keep Fortuna visible to both residents and potential visitors throughout California and beyond. The Visitor Center serves as an important first stop for travelers seeking lodging, attractions, dining recommendations, maps, and local information. Chamber staff provide visitor
assistance, distribute tourism guides and brochures, refer visitors to local businesses, and maintain the facility and surrounding landscaping to ensure a positive first impression of Fortuna. The Chamber also develops and distributes extensive print marketing materials, including the annual Visit Fortuna Guide, with 20,000 copies distributed throughout Northern California. Additional materials include event brochures, trails guides, depot information, promotional flyers, and visitor resources. These materials are strategically distributed through visitor centers, travel destinations, direct mail campaigns, and regional tourism networks. Paid advertising is another major component of the Chamber’s tourism efforts. The Chamber manages billboard campaigns, magazine placements, event advertising, promotional videos, tourism publications, and participation in travel shows. These investments help position Fortuna as a destination for recreation, events, shopping, dining, and overnight stays. Beyond local promotion, the Chamber actively participates in regional tourism initiatives through partnerships with Visit Humboldt, Visit Redwoods, the Humboldt County Travel & Tourism Advisory Board, and neighboring communities. These collaborations increase Fortuna’s visibility, expand visitor reach, strengthen tourism credibility, and create opportunities for cooperative destination marketing. Simply put, the Fortuna Chamber of Commerce is much more than a business support organization. It serves as Fortuna’s tourism development engine, visitor services provider, marketing agency, community advocate, and event promoter. Through its work, the Chamber helps generate visitor spending, support local businesses, enhance community pride, and contribute to the long-term economic vitality of Fortuna. We appreciate all our members and community support. We would not exist without them. Together working as a team with the community and local organization leaders make us stronger and proud to call Fortuna Home.
Felicia Thomsson
CEO/ President Fortuna Chamber of Commerce
Linny Dalton
Office Assistant
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