Hafa Adai Catherine,

Welcome to September 2023! Like it or not, the fourth quarter of the year is swiftly creeping onto the calendar. I can already smell the pumpkin spice in the air!

The Armed Forces Committee has held some really good events over the past several weeks and is having a membership meeting coming up in the next few days featuring local military commanders. This is a great opportunity to meet the heads of various commands and learn about what is happening at their respective services. If you haven't already signed up to attend, you may be a little late! If you are already an AFC member, take a chance and see if there is a seat or two at the September 8th AFC general membership meeting by contacting anyone on the Chamber Team. If you are not an AFC member, what's holding you back? Sign up today!

We just had a great general membership meeting with Dr. Jeffrey Nine, Guam's Chief Medical Examiner as our guest speaker this past Wednesday. If you missed it, be sure to click on the links below to view the recorded presentation or view his statistics.

It has definitely been challenging for many businesses in Guam and across the nation with respect to the current workforce shortage. What should we be doing to better address this issue? Is this a conversation that our local senators need to be discussing? We would love to hear your take on this. Let us know your ideas and comments by emailing me. If you are interested in joining our Workforce Development & Education Committee, we would love to have you!

We sent out a Legislative Review Update the other day. Have you had a chance to read it? There are a couple of public hearings that are scheduled in early September. You may want to check the list of bills that could have a direct or indirect impact on how you do business in Guam. Do you think the 37th Guam Legislature is doing a good job of supporting the private sector? There has certainly been much to chew on in the Legislature with addressing issues regarding our public schools, public health, and our public hospital.

Should there be more senators in the Guam Legislature? A bill [Bill No. 157-37] has been introduced to increase the number of Senators to twenty-one. The bill does not address the cost of this increase to our citizens which includes the salaries of the proposed increase of six more senators and their respective staff. How do you feel about this?

We have received some positive feedback about the Chamber's ScoreCard. Have you had a chance to view it?

I hope that you and your team have a fun Labor Day weekend mapped out. Whether it's a three-day weekend or a company event, enjoy the opportunity to celebrate the hard work and talent of our ever-important employees. Without their support we would not have the achievements in our respective companies and industries we have today. Happy Labor Day!

Onward together,

Catherine Castro

President

Si Yu'os Ma'åse Dr. Jeffrey Nine, Guam Chief Medical Examiner

August General Membership Meeting

We would like to thank Dr. Nine for his enlightening presentation on "drug-related deaths on Guam" at Wednesday's, General Membership Meeting. Members were given the opportunity to ask a few questions about the total number of deaths related to drug abuse substances.

We appreciate the information and the opportunity for members who have provided questions for Dr. Nine. Members can view the presentation on the Chamber's Website. Click on the "Resources" link under the "Guam" dropdown menu. Scroll down to "General Membership Meeting Archives"

We look forward to seeing you at our next General Membership Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at the Micronesian Ballroom, Hilton Guam Resort & Spa!

Click to view the presentation.

View here for Dr. Nine's recorded presentation

View here for more photos

Department of Labor Announces Proposal To Restore And Extend Overtime Protections

On August 30th, the U.S. Department of Labor announced proposed changes to the overtime rules. The proposed rule would guarantee overtime pay for most salaried workers earning less than $1,059 per week, approximately $55,000 per year. It would additionally automatically update the salary threshold every three years. A 60-day comment period will commence upon publication in the federal register.

Read the full release

SAVE THE DATE!

General Membership Meeting

September 27, 2023 • Hilton Guam Resort & Spa

Save the date for our upcoming General Membership Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 27, 2023, in the Micronesian Ballroom, at the Hilton Guam Resort & Spa. This month's meeting will also feature our Toys for Tots Kick-off! More information on this meeting is forthcoming.

Members are encouraged to RSVP and make advance payments to secure their seats for a swift entry on the day of the event. To make payment for this coming meeting, your Chamber Team is available to assist you, call them today at (671) 472-6311!

Save your seat today!

SAVE THE DATE!

Armed Forces Committee

General Membership Meeting

Friday, September 8, 2023

We encourage our Armed Forces Committee Members to mark their calendars for its General Membership Meeting scheduled for Friday, September 8, 2023, at the Gallery Ballroom, Hilton Guam Resort & Spa which will begin at 8:00 am.

This Meeting will feature military branch commanders who will provide updates and highlight their current & upcoming projects and happenings. This event is exclusive to AFC members only and is closed to the media and will not be recorded.

If you would like to learn more about the Armed Forces Committee, please contact Rebekah at (671) 472-6311 or by email.

This meeting is open to AFC Members only!

Toys for Tots Campaign

Can you believe the holidays are just around the corner? In partnership with Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, the Armed Forces Committee is excited to launch this year's Toys for Tots campaign at the official kick-off on September 27th! As we do each year, we ask our members to bring a new and unwrapped toy to our General Membership Meeting at the Hilton Guam Resort & Spa for the September 27th meeting.

If your company is interested in being a designated collection site for this worthy cause, please email Rebekah or contact the Chamber Team at (671) 472-6311. Your tremendous support is absolutely instrumental in the success of this program. Thank you for your consideration!

View 2022 Thank You Message! • View more photos from last year's campaign

AFC CoDel Reception

The Armed Forces Committee held a reception in honor of the visiting Congressional Delegation from the House Natural Resources Committee. This nine-member congressional delegation led by Committee Chairman, Congressman Bruce Westerman, was on Guam to conduct a field hearing regarding the IndoPacom theater and the state of our nation’s defense within the waters surrounding Guam and the FAS nations. The Chamber's AFC hosted the reception welcoming members of Congress on August 24th at the Dusit Thani Guam Resort.

View more photos here!

AFC members welcome House Natural Resources Committee Chairman, Congressman Bruce Westerman on Thursday, August 24th at the Dusit Thani Guam Resort.

Pictured L-R: Milton Morinaga, Mark J. Sablan, Congressman Westerman, Chairman Ed Untalan, John Thos. Brown, Dr. Hoa Nguyen, Frank Campillo.

Joint Networking Mixer

Thursday, September 14, 2023

Atkins Kroll, Inc. BMW Showroom

Your Guam Chamber's Small Business Committee in partnership with the Guam Contractors Association (GCA) invites you to a Joint Networking Mixer scheduled for Thursday, September 14, 2023, at the Atkins Kroll, Inc. in Tamuning.

This is a great opportunity for our members to make new connections and expand their networks. Delicious local cuisines and refreshments will be provided. Also, there will be some great raffle prizes!

Take the LEAP Beyond Guam Export Webinar

Thursday, September 14, 2023

The Guam Economic Development Authority (GEDA) and its partners invite you to their upcoming free virtual export conference, "Take the Leap Beyond Guam: Exporting for Businesses". This virtual meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 14, 2023, from 8:00 am - 1:00 pm.

This event will provide local small businesses and entrepreneurs with the necessary tools and strategies to export to international markets and connect them to potential export opportunities.

Community Outreach

Congressional App Challenge 2023

The Office of Congressman Moylan is pleased to announce that they will host a Congressional App Challenge 2023. The Congressional App Challenge (CAC) is an annual competition designed to encourage student participation in computer science and coding.

The Challenge is open to all middle and high school students. Students may register as individuals or as teams of up to four. Students are encouraged to register online and submit their app design by Tuesday, November 1, 2023.

The winner will be chosen by a panel of expert judges, and the app will be featured on Congressional App Challenge. The winning app will also be eligible to be displayed on the U.S. Capitol, honoring the winners from across the country. Click here to view rules!

Hawaii Chamber Foundation

Business Relief Fund

The Chamber of Commerce’s Foundation established a Business Relief Fund through the Hawaii Chamber of Commerce Foundation, a 501(c)3 Organization and the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii to help businesses impacted by the wildfires. All proceeds will benefit Hawaii businesses seeking assistance to recover and rebuild from the wildfires. Donations can be made online or by check made payable to “Hawaii Chamber of Commerce Foundation Relief Account” and mailed to 733 Bishop Street, Suite 1200, Honolulu, HI 96813.

Make A Donation!

Resources & Training

2023

Industry Recovery Updates

Click here

View Guams SBDC'S

September 2023

Training Events!

View Guam APEX

Accelerators

September 2023

Training Events

Webinars are held every Thursday from 10am - 11:30am via Zoom.

Zoom links emailed to registered attendees 30 minutes before the webinar.

Member2Member Benefits Program

Member2Member deals provide members an opportunity to save money on services and goods. This program offers participating members a vehicle to expose their business, products, and services to thousands of employees of fellow Chamber members. Offers include discounts or very special deals on office supplies, advertising, entertainment, insurance, auto services, catering, meeting spaces, and more.

Join our member companies who have offered their special deals to Chamber Members!

Access Medical Transport

Busy Ant Marketing

Docomo Pacific

Guam Baby Company

Hotel Nikko Guam

Infusion Coffee & Tea

KFC

Market Research & Development, Inc.

MBC, Inc GU

Norman & Son, LLC

Pacific Unlimited Inc. GU