We are excited to announce the upcoming Chamber Games, a thrilling event designed to foster teamwork, creativity, and fun among all participants! We are also having the Thrill of the Grill Barbecue Competition, where culinary skills will take center stage alongside our engaging games.

The Chamber Games will feature a variety of fun activities that challenge participants’ teamwork, communication, coordination and problem-solving abilities. This is a great way to strengthen professional connections, cheer on your favorite team, and just have FUN! There will be cash prizes for the top three teams!

The Thrill of the Grill will showcase the grilling talents of our participants and provide a delicious way to celebrate our community spirit and camaraderie in the spirit of friendly competition. Participants will compete for cash prizes for best chicken and best ribs as well as best overall.

Revenues will benefit the Chamber’s Dave J Santos Scholarship, which is open to UOG Juniors and Seniors enrolled in the School of Business and Public Administration.

Join us for a day filled with excitement, teamwork, and great food! Whether you’re competing in the games or grilling up a storm, there’s something for everyone at this year’s Chamber Games. Get ready to bring your A-game and appetite!

LET THE GAMES BEGIN! 🏆🥈🥉

Register on our website at GuamChamber.com.gu or contact the Chamber Team at (671) 472-6311

NEW EPISODE ALERT!

Hey, Chamber Fam! We’re back with another spicy episode of the Chamber Member Spotlight Podcast! This week, we’re shining the spotlight on the incredibly talented Austin Grant, the Owner & Creative Director of Grey by Grant!

In this 6th Podcast Episode, Austin dives into his creative journey, shares behind-the-scenes stories, and gives us the scoop on what it really takes to run his successful business. Trust us, you won’t want to miss it! Click your favorite links below to take a listen!

Youtube • Spotify • Apple Podcast

YOU DECIDE

Republican Senatorial Forum Series & Mixer

Your Guam Young Professionals is pleased to present a Senatorial Forum Series & Mixer scheduled for Thursday, October 10, 2024, held at the Guam Chamber of Commerce Office. This is the perfect opportunity to engage with key legislative candidates as we discuss important issues impacting our community, and voice your concerns, and contribute to meaningful discussions on local policy.

The following Republican candidates who have confirmed participation include:

• Vicente A. Ada
• Frank F. Blas Jr.
• Vincent Borja
• Joanne M. Brown
• Shelly Calvo
• Christopher M. Duenas
• Thomas Fisher
• Vic Gaza
• Eulogio "Shawn" Gumataotao
• Jesse Anderson Lujan
• Sabrina Salas Matanane
• Bistra Mendiola
• William A. Payne Jr.
• Telo Taitague

We would like to thank the Democrat candidates for attending the GYP You Decide Legislative Forum & Mixer on Thursday, October 3rd. This event provided a valuable opportunity to engage with key legislative candidates, discuss important issues affecting our community, and listen to their platforms about local policy.

We would also like to express our gratitude to our event moderator, Shelly Santos of First Hawaiian Bank, for her outstanding facilitation and leadership throughout the evening. Special thanks to our members who joined us and our event sponsors for a successful Forum!

Mark your calendar for the GYP You Decide Republican Candidates Forum and Mixer on Thursday, October 10^th from 3:30 – 7:00 pm at the Chamber Office in Hagatna. Click the registration link below!

Sponsorship Opportunity

This event covers the cost of sponsoring about 300 military service men and women from the various commands on Guam. This worthwhile event is our way of giving thanks and we hope you consider sending your company's $500 pledge today! Your sponsorship will cover 4 military guests and 2 of your company representatives.

Attend the Salute!

All AFC members are invited to attend the Salute to meet, greet, and share the Hafa Adai spirit with our military guests. Registrations are $50 each. Please click on the link below to reserve your space. We look forward to seeing you at the 22nd Annual Salute!

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 Wednesday, September 25th! 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 25th General Membership 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. Un Dångkulu Na Si Yu'os Ma'åse for your consideration!

Click here to view last year's toy drive!

View the 2024 Holiday Gift Guide • View Toys for Tots Drop-Off Locations

Q3 2024 Small Business Index 

The Q3 MetLife and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index was released earlier this week. The index score rose slightly from last quarter, showcasing continued optimism. Seventy-three percent of small business owners expect next year’s revenue to increase—identical to last quarter and the highest number recorded since the Index began in 2017. Small businesses’ concerns over inflation remain high, and a majority are more interested in the upcoming 2024 presidential election than they were in the 2020 election.

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In the Spotlight:

• The MetLife & U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index rose to 71.2 from 69.5 last quarter.
• Nearly two in five small businesses say the U.S. economy or local economy is in good health this quarter, relatively unchanged from Q3 2023. 
• 78% of small businesses across all regions, sizes, age of ownership, and gender of ownership say that the economy and inflation should be a top priority for the next Congress and presidential administration.
• Click here for more key takeaways.

Effects of a Higher Corporate Tax Rate on

Business and Local Economies

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce launched a new data center to show the harmful impact of a higher corporate tax rate on businesses, workers, and local economies. The Chamber’s new interactive map quantifies the negative impacts on consumer prices, workers’ wages, and shareholder returns in every state and congressional district over a 10-year period.

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This new interactive map is the latest effort in the Chamber’s Growing America’s Future campaign, an education and advocacy effort in support of maintaining a pro-growth tax code to foster a robust economy that benefits all Americans. The campaign kicked off in May at the Chamber’s 2024 Tax Policy Summit.

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For a full list of state- and district-level data and a description of the Chamber’s methodology, visit the new data center.

Be In The Know For

The General Election

30 more days till the General Election, take a moment to review and study the candidates' platforms. To verify that you are eligible to vote on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, view your voting status, and if you are not registered, you may do so by clicking here. Registration deadline for this coming General Election is Tuesday, October 15, 2024. Click here to view your polling site!

To skip the long lines at the polls on November 5th, early voting dates will begin on October 14th to the 28th, Monday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. For more information, contact the Guam Election Commission at (671) 477-9791.

Free GED Prep Course

Ivy Educational Services

Ivy Educational Services General Education Development (GED) Fall 2024 open enrollment is now open! This GED preparation course spans 10 weeks. The first week focuses on the orientation

and diagnostic test. The next eight weeks focus on instruction. The last week focuses on the post-test and conferences between students and instructors. The curriculum covers GED’s 4 subjects (mathematical reasoning, reasoning through language arts, social studies, and science). The course is designed to assist students in improving knowledge and skills through direct instruction, reading, discussion, and practice. Such devices as exercises, quizzes, and practice tests may be employed. Click the links below to read more!

GED Prep Syllabus

Frequently Asked Questions

GED Pamphlet

SHRM Guam Chapter's upcoming Breakfast Briefing Event

SHRM Guam Chapter's upcoming Breakfast Briefing, titled Veterans First: Navigating Transition and Achieving Excellence in the Civilian Workforce, is scheduled for October 23, 2024 from 8:30am to 10:30am, at the Dusit Thani Guam Resort. We are excited to host an informative and impactful briefing focused on supporting our veterans as they transition into the civilian workforce, recognizing the exceptional skills they bring from their military experience.

The briefing will feature a special presentation by Dan Estephan and Darren Okada from WestCare Pacific Islands, who will share insights about the Path to Freedom program and how it empowers veterans to secure meaningful employment. Attendees will also hear a powerful testimonial from a local veteran whose life has been transformed by this initiative.

In addition, Therese Camacho, Employment Program Administrator from the Guam Department of Labor's American Job Center, will discuss the Jobs for Veterans Act, which ensures priority service for covered veterans and eligible spouses in various Employment and Training programs funded by the US Department of Labor. Click here to register!

National TAKE-BACK

Initiative (NTBI)

The National TAKE-BACK initiative aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. The next TAKE-BACK is scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Prescription and/or expired or unused medication can safely be disposed of at various sites on the island. These disposal places are located at the Agana Shopping Center, the Guam Premier Outlets, the Dededo Senior Center, the Anderson Air Force Base Exchange, and the Naval Base Exchange.

GHRA Tourism Cup Championship

Saturday and Sunday, October 26th and 27th

Guam Hotel & Restaurant Association proudly presents Tourism Cup Championship, the 30th Annual Golf Tournament scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, October 26th and 27th to be held at the Country Club of the Pacific.

Show time will begin at 10:00 a.m. and go time will start at 11:00 a.m. This will be a three Formats, two-day flighted medal play, Saturday individual Calloway, and Sunday will be individual Calloway. For more information, contact GHRA at 671-649-1447 or email them! Register on their website today!

Si Yu'os Ma'åse to our Centurion Sponsor!

Ada's Trust & Investment, Inc. • Arnett Consulting, LLC • Assurance Brokers, Inc. dba: AB Risk Solutions • Bank of Hawaii • Black Construction Corporation

California Pacific Technical Services, LLC • Coffman Engineers, Inc.

Guam Insurance Adjusters, Inc. • Guam Music, Inc. • Hilton Guam Resort & Spa

HMI Guam • Hotel Nikko Guam • Island Skin Spa • Joe & Franks Auto

Jerold W. Filush, CPA • Marianas Steamship Agencies, Inc. • Matson Navigation Company

Micronesian Drivers Associations, Inc. • North Wind Group • Outback Steakhouse

Pacific Islands Development Bank • Phoenix Pacific (Guam), Inc.

Salt + Light Realty • SignKing, Inc. • Sylvan Learning Center

TNN Guam, Inc. dba: The Tsubaki Tower • Triple J Enterprises, Inc.

Triple J Five Star Wholesale Foods, Inc. • Triple J Rentals (Guam), Inc. dba: Hertz Licensee

This Month's Spooky Playlist 🎶👻

What a week! It's time for a fun and seasonal playlist, don't you think? We've curated an October music set that's sure to bring you a smile - maybe raise an eyebrow! It's not your typical Halloween playlist! 

We are pleased to present you with our Hallows Eve music set on Spotify. Take a listen! Let us know what you think!