|
Greetings!
What a meaningful close to the month of June. The Guam Chamber of Commerce wrapped up a busy and rewarding week with the successful completion of our Gubernatorial Forums, held on Wednesday, June 24th, and Thursday, June 25th. Both days drew a strong turnout from members and guests who share a deep investment in Guam's future - and the energy in the room reflected just that.
These forums gave candidates a structured platform to share their plans should they get elected, address the issues most critical to our island, and engage directly with Guam's business community. It is exactly the kind of meaningful civic dialogue the Chamber is proud to facilitate.
As we look ahead to voting season, we encourage all members and community members to make their voices heard. Early voting begins Wednesday, July 1st, at the Westin Resort Guam. Details about early voting can be found as you scroll below.
We send our warmest thanks to the candidates who participated and engaged with our community in such a thoughtful and substantive way. And to our members, partners, and volunteers whose support made these events possible, we are truly grateful. It is because of you that the Chamber continues to serve as a trusted platform for collaboration and informed dialogue. If you didn’t have a chance to attend the forums or view the live streams, please scroll down and click on the links to view either or both forums. Feel free to share the links as well!
I hope this month closes out well for you and that July brings much promise! Have a well-deserved restful weekend!
Onward together,
Catherine Castro
President
| | Upcoming Events | JULY 2026 | | |
JUL 3
Independence Day Holiday Observed
Chamber Office Closed
| | | |
JUL 21
Guam Liberation Day Holiday Observed
Chamber Office Closed
| | | |
JUL 29
General Membership Meeting
Hilton Guam Resort & Spa
RSVP Required
| |
Guam Chamber Gubernatorial Forums
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - Thursday, June 25, 2026
| | |
The Chamber held its Gubernatorial Forums on Wednesday, June 24th, and Thursday, June 25th, in the Micronesian Ballroom at the Hilton Guam Resort & Spa. We extend our sincerest Si Yu’os Ma’åse’ to the candidates who participated and shared their vision for Guam’s future. We appreciate their willingness to engage with the business community and discuss the issues that matter most to our island.
Special thanks to the Gubernatorial and Lt Governor Candidates!
• Speaker Frank Blas Jr. and Dr. Mary Okada
• Senator Vicente “Tony” Ada and Mr. E.J. Calvo
• Senator Therese Terlaje and Senator Sabina Flores Perez
• Lt. Governor Joshua Tenorio and Senator Tina Muña-Barnes
• Senator Joe San Agustin and Senator Dwayne San Nicolas
If you missed the forum or would like to share the opportunity with others, click on the links below to view each forum from start to finish! We encourage all eligible voters to get registered and make their voices heard at the polls. Your vote matters, and your participation helps shape Guam’s future.
We'd like to thank Glimpses Media and the folks at The Wave, 105.1 FM, for live streaming and hosting the forum videos on their platform. Thanks to Security Title for their great help at the timekeepers table, and a warm Thank You to the Hilton Guam Resort & Spa for always doing such a great job for us! We truly appreciate the continued support and dedication to making each forum a success!
View Republican Gubernatorial Forum Photos Here!
View Democrat Gubernatorial Forum Photos Here!
| | |
Guam Young Professionals took on Hagatna last weekend!
Project: Leave It Better!
| |
The Guam Young Professionals (GYP), along with several dedicated community volunteers, came together on Saturday, June 20, 2026, for a community clean-up effort aimed at helping keep Guam beautiful.
Volunteers spent the morning cleaning Aspinall Avenue, Plaza de España, and Skinner Plaza, demonstrating the power of community service. Through initiatives like these, GYP hopes to inspire others to take an active role in preserving and enhancing our island's public spaces for future generations.
We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who volunteered their time and effort to make this clean-up a success. Biba GYP!
View Photos Here!
| | Twenty-Fourth Annual Salute to the U.S. Armed Forces in Guam | | |
The Chamber's Armed Forces Committee is pleased to announce its 24th Annual Salute to the U.S. Armed Forces on Guam. This event will be scheduled for Thursday, September 17, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., to be held at the Dusit Thani Beach Resort Guam.
The Annual Salute event serves as an extension of appreciation for what the men and women of America’s Armed Forces do each day to protect and maintain our freedom. Event highlights include local entertainment, great eats, and wonderful company. Please join us!
Thank you very much for your continued support. We look forward to a fantastic event!
For registration contact the Chamber Team at (671) 472-6311 or email accounting@guamchamber.com.gu
| | |
Guam Chamber's 102nd Anniversary Gala Celebration
Saturday, September 12, 2026 • Dusit Thani Resort Guam
RESERVE YOUR SEAT TODAY!
| | |
We invite you all to join us as we celebrate the Guam Chamber of Commerce's 102nd Anniversary Gala Celebration on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the Dusit Thani Resort Guam. This special evening marks an important milestone as we honor Members celebrating milestone anniversaries and the Chamber's 102 years of service, leadership, and commitment to Guam's business community, recognizing both the achievements of the past and the vision of the present.
This annual event is marked by a special VIP reception for Member anniversary recipients, a delectable five-course meal, entertainment, milestone recognition, and two distinct after-party opportunities. One that keeps the party going and the other that offers whiskey and karaoke! Both events will feature specialty food and drinks to enhance the night!
Mark your calendars for a memorable night of honors, celebration, and connection as we also commemorate America's 250th Anniversary with an evening dedicated to history, progress, and community spirit.
Table registration and sponsorship opportunities are still available! Contact the Chamber Team for more information.
| | | |
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
American Oxygen Sponsor
First Hawaiian Bank
God Bless the U.S.A Sponsor
Marianas Energy Company
Party in the USA Sponsor
Bank of Guam
America the Beautiful Sponsor
Vantage Advertising
Living in America Sponsor
Ada's trust & Investment, Inc.
American Honey Sponsor
P.H.R. Ken Micronesia, Inc. dba: Ken Corporation
Made in America Sponsor
Coast360 Federal Credit Union, Bank of Hawaii, Fedex, Sanford Technology Group LLC
| | |
When the Rulebook Doesn't Work, American Companies
Pay the Price
Legal transparency is improving worldwide, but the conditions businesses rely on to invest, hire, and plan are moving in the wrong direction.
The U.S. Chamber’s Coalition for the Rule of Law in Global Markets released the 2026 Global Rule of Law and Business Dashboard last week. It identified five legal and institutional pillars required to build a healthy business and investment environment: predictability, stability, accountability, due process, and transparency.
Be smart: Transparency edged up. The other four didn't. For companies deciding where to commit capital, that gap is a red flag.
- Due process is among the categories eroding the most, with access to impartial justice and enforcement of judgments declining in two-thirds of countries.
-
“The rulebook looks great until you need it to work,” said Neil Herrington, Senior Vice President for the Americas at the U.S. Chamber, on The Call, the U.S. Chamber Global Intelligence Desk’s conversation series.
Why it matters: The rule of law is economic infrastructure. Countries that want investment must treat legal predictability the same way they treat roads and ports: essential, not optional.
- Fewer overseas investments by U.S. companies mean fewer export-driven jobs. A factory that doesn't get built in a market with a weak rule of law is also an order that never reaches an American manufacturer.
Bottom line: "American businesses depend on respect for the rule of law as the foundation of a vibrant investment climate," said Herrington. READ MORE
What the Strait of Hormuz Reopening Means for Prices
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is good news for the American economy and consumers. But it raises the obvious question: When will the price at the pump return to normal, and what will happen to overall prices?
Why it matters: When fuel and input costs stay high, businesses face tougher choices on pricing, hiring, and investment; and workers and families feel it in their paychecks and household budgets.
Be smart: Here is what we’re watching:
-
It will take time for oil supplies to normalize. The Strait must be safely reopened to transit, the logjam of ships must clear, and oil must be loaded and shipped. With tight inventories heading into peak summer demand and supply returning slowly, the price refiners pay for crude may not fall as quickly as futures prices. As a result, gasoline prices may remain elevated—or even increase—in the short term.
-
Energy is only one source of inflation. Prices excluding food and energy were up 2.9% year over year in the most recent month. Commodities flowing through the Strait of Hormuz, including aluminum, helium, and sulfur—key inputs for construction, technology, and agriculture—have also faced price pressure.
-
Watching for long tails: Businesses have had to make a variety of decisions in response to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Reports indicate that farmers have responded to high fertilizer prices by planting soybeans instead of wheat and corn. It remains to be seen what this means for future supplies and prices.
Big picture: Americans are better positioned than much of the world because the U.S. is a net energy producer. But oil and fuel are global commodities, and the U.S. cannot fully insulate itself from market volatility. READ MORE
| | |
Guam Industry Forum 2026
July 28-30, 2026 at the Dusit Thani Guam Resort
The 2026 Society of American Military Engineers (S.A.M.E.) Guam Post Industry Forum, themed “Delivering Indo Readiness: Integrating Infrastructure, Innovation, and Industry Capacity,” serves as a premier platform bringing together senior leaders from defense, government, and industry. The forum aims to help inform and shape the next decade of growth across Guam and the broader Indo-Pacific region.
Click the flyer for more information!
| | |
Crowne Plaza Resort Guam
June 2026 Promotions
| |
Whether you are looking for dining specials, staycation opportunities, or seasonal resort promotions, the Crowne Plaza Resort Guam encourage you to explore the offerings available this month! View the link below for more information.
Click Link Here
| | | |
Guam National Heritage Area
Feasibility Study Newsletter
| |
The Guam National Heritage Area Study is currently underway to explore and document Guam's rich cultural, historical, and natural heritage.
This important initiative seeks community input and support to help preserve and celebrate the island's unique stories, traditions, and historic sites for future generations.
We encourage our members and community partners to learn more about the study and participate in upcoming outreach opportunities.
| | | |
REGISTER TO VOTE!
Early Voting Begins July 7!
If you would like to vote but are not registered, you can register online at the Guam Election Commission's website. You will need either a valid Guam Driver's License or a Guam identification card to register electronically. Click here to register to vote.
Dates to remember:
2026 Primary Election Early Voting Information
Early Voting for the 2026 Primary Election will take place at The Westin Resort starting July 7th – July 25th, Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Guam Primary Election: Saturday, August 1, 2026 [Polls open: 7 am - 8 pm]
General Election: Tuesday, November 3, 2026 [Polls open: 7 am - 8 pm]
| | | | | |