Hafa Adai Catherine,
I hope that you are finding time to enjoy the season in this busy time of year! We had a hugely successful annual meeting last Wednesday. It was a treat to see members we haven't seen in a while and catch up with how they and their respective businesses are faring. Many have conveyed that it continues to be a struggle to operate with the current state of the economy and a lack of enough labor to fill job openings.
At the meeting, Chairman Ed Untalan provided his thoughts on just that: the current state of the economy which is very fragile and has the potential to get worse. He provided suggestions on how we can turn things around in his "If I were a public servant" speech. The Chairman also thanked the membership for their support during his tenure as Chairman of the Board. It has been a great pleasure to work with Chairman Ed, and we look forward to his continued support and expertise in his role as Immediate Past Chairman in the new year.
You can view his presentation as you scroll down through this newsletter.
Your Chamber's Small Business Committee has been busy setting up monthly seminars and arranging for member spotlight podcast interviews. We just held an insightful seminar with Dave Silva on risk management and have another event scheduled in a few weeks about safety in the workplace. Please be sure to RSVP to save a seat. If you would be interested in featuring your company on our Chamber Member Spotlight Podcast, please let us know and we would be happy to feature you! Have you listened to one of our podcasts? They are fun and bite-sized, perfect to listen to on a drive!
We congratulate our eight newly elected Board members and thank all candidates for their support in running for the Chamber Board. There is much work ahead, and we absolutely appreciate our candidates' willingness to support the work of the Chamber.
There are federal rules and local legislation that could impact your businesses and we urge you to scroll down to read and learn more below.
Until next time, cheers to an enjoyable weekend!
Onward together,
Catherine Castro
President
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Annual Membership Meeting and
Chairman's End-of-the-Year Address
Chairman Edward G. Untalan was the featured speaker at the Chamber's Annual Meeting held on November 15th. He provided his end-of-the-year address to a full house at the Hilton Guam Resort & Spa. Vice Chairman, Ernie Galito, along with the Board of Directors presented to Chairman Untalan a crystal latte stone award as a token of appreciation to commemorate his leadership as Chairman of the Board.
The Chamber membership voted to elect eight new Board Directors who begin their service on January 1, 2024. Members had one week to cast their ballot, from Thursday, November 9th - Wednesday, November 15th. We thank all our candidates and congratulate our newly elected board members who joined our twelve holdover Board Directors in 2024.
More information is linked and clickable by viewing below!
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Pictured are five of eight newly elected Chamber Board members present at the annual meeting. From L-R: James Herbert III, Benson Au-Yeung, Mark Sablan, Deanna Crisostomo, and Juan Carlos Benitez.
Newly elected Board Members who could not be present were: Phillip Santos, Lamonte James "Jim" Bighley, and Vince Camacho.
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Catherine S. Castro
President's 2023 Annual Report
to the Membership
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Edward G. Untalan
Chairman's Annual Address
to the Membership
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DOL Proposal To Restore And Extend Overtime Protections
As we reported in our Labor Day edition of the Chamber's newsletter, on August 30th, the U.S. Department of Labor announced proposed changes to the overtime rules under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) by the Biden Administration. The proposed rule would guarantee overtime pay for most salaried workers earning less than $1,059 per week, approximately $55,000 per year (an increase from $35,568). It would also automatically update the salary threshold every three years.
This ruling will greatly impact our local businesses. Congressman Moylan’s office is working to see if there can be an extension in the comment period (which closed on November 7th) to enable more data to come forward from the territories to show the devastating impact this would have on our island economies. There is also discussion on a tiered approach to phase in the increase as consensus on the Hill, particularly in the U.S. Senate, is to keep the territories compliant with the ruling. [Territories were exempt from the last change]
Bill No. 176-37, An act to authorize the Guam Customs and Quarantine to implement and adopt the Harmonized Commodity and Coding System for Guam.
A public hearing has been scheduled for the bill by the Committee on Emergency Response, Border Safety, Military and Veterans Affairs on Monday, November 20, 2023 at the Guam Congress Building in Hagåtña at 9:00 a.m. If your company will be impacted by this proposal if it becomes law, we urge you to submit testimony and/or call the office of Senator Dwayne San Nicolas. Contact details follow:
Email: senatorsannicolas@guamlegislature.org
Telephone: (671) 988-4400.
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December 1, 2023
OSHA Warehousing National Emphasis Program
Your Guam Chamber Small Business Focus & Development Committee is pleased to announce that the Guam Department of Labor will present OSHA Warehousing National Emphasis Program scheduled for Friday, December 1, 2023, at the Somnak Ballroom, Westin Resort Guam.
Subtopics included addressing various safety hazards that take place in a warehouse/office setting such as forklift, fire, electrical safety, walking surfaces, and more. Owners, managers, and supervisors should consider attending this important seminar. The reservation link is currently live. We anticipate a full house so please reserve your seat(s) today!
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Toys for Tots Drop-Off Sights
The Chamber sends a huge "Thank You!" to our fantastic member companies that have opened their doors as toy drop-off sites for new and unwrapped toys in support of this year's campaign. Gifts will be accepted until December 5th. For a list of companies collecting new and unwrapped toys or if you wish to become a drop-off site, please click the buttons below. 🚂🧸
Need help trying to find the perfect gift? We are here for you! View our holiday gift guide by clicking here. Thank you for your great support!
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Chamber Member Spotlight Podcast
Episode 4 is NOW AVAILABLE 🎧
Your Guam Chamber Small Business Focus and Development Committee is pleased to present to you Episode 4 of Season 2, spotlighting Siska Hutapea, President of Cornerstone Valuation, who provides us with some insight into Guam's real estate economy. This episode was hosted by Guam Chamber's Board of Directors, Chris Duenas
Click your favorite links below to hear Ms. Siska's Story!
Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Youtube
Stay connected with us on our social media platforms for the announcements of our upcoming events and new episode releases! Click your go-to social media platforms below and follow us!
Instagram • Facebook • X • LindkedIn
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Saint Cecilia Music Gala 2023
Monday, November 20, 2023
The Guam Philharmonic, Inc. presents to you the "Saint Cecilia Music Gala 2023" scheduled for Monday, November 20, 2023, at the Kahida, Guam Plaza Resort.
This music gala will be featuring the Award-winning Tumon Bay Youth Orchestra performing the works of Handel, Massanet, and Palomo. Also, the music from the Oscar-winning animated film "Spirited Away" by acclaimed Japanese composer, Joe Hiaishi.
Information on ticket amount is as follows:
$24 - Student and Seniors
$35 - General Admission
$50 - VIP Reserved Seatings
Tickets can be paid for and picked up at the Micronesian Mall - Concourse 1, Suite 101 + 102 from Saturday, November 11th through Sunday, November 19th from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online or by scanning the QR code from the graphic.
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Logistics & Supply
Chain Forum
Sunday, November 29, 2023
The University of Guam School of Business & Public Administration will be hosting a Logistics & Supply Chain Forum, Advancing Supply Chain in the Region of Micronesia - Navigation through the Future. This forum is scheduled on Sunday, November 29, 2023, at the UOG JELG Building and Public Administration C4EI Resources Room #235 from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm.
For more information, you may email them at c4ei@triton.uog.edu
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Christmases Not Forgotten
Sunday, December 3, 2023
The Mañenggn Memorial Foundation invites you and your family to Christmases Not Forgotten, honoring Christmases lost during World War Two (WWII) in Guam.
Brunch, Santa, world class entertainment & surprises for Guam's WWII survivors! This event will take place at the Ocean Sirena Ballroom, RIHGA Royal Laguna Guam Resort on Sunday, December 3, 2023. Family tables & corporate sponsors are available. Ticket prices for Guam WWII Survivors will be $25, and $65 for individuals.
For more information, contact Mañenggon Memorial Foundation at (671) 646-1714 or email them.
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Jingle Bell
2K & 5K Run/Walk
Sunday, December 3, 2023
The Hilton Guam Resort & Spa proudly presents Jingle Bell 2k & 5K Run/Walk event scheduled for Sunday, December 3, 2023. The Jingle Bell Run will be held at the Hilton Guam Resort & Spa grounds with Show Time at 5:30 am and Go Time at 6:00 am. A portion of the proceeds from this event will go to Mañe'lu Guam.
Register today by scanning the QR code!
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2023
Industry Recovery Updates
Click here
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View Guam APEX
Accelerators
November 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.
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Member2Member Benefits Program
Announcement: SPPC has just informed us that the special deal for Chamber members ends this month on November 20th because they have something special to announce. Stay tuned to their social media platforms for details
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
Hotel Nikko Guam
Jaded & Cure
Market Research & Development, Inc.
MBC, Inc GU
Norman & Son, LLC
Promotions Specialties
South Pacific Petroleum Corporation
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Holiday playlist in full gear!
It's the Holiday Season! Pumpkin goodies and apple pleasures delight our tastebuds this month, and we've got just the right mood-setting music to go with the treats!
We've curated a thoughtful Thanksgiving playlist that is sure to please! Give it a listen by clicking here!
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