Greetings!

As we move through another productive week, I find myself pausing to reflect on what truly makes the Guam Chamber of Commerce the organization it is - and the answer is no mystery. It is our members.

Our volunteer Board Directors, Committee Chairs, and members give something that cannot be budgeted for or hired: their time, their expertise, and their genuine commitment to Guam's business community. These are professionals who carry full schedules of their own, yet they show up for the meetings, the conversations, the hard decisions, and the quiet work that moves our advocacy forward. The Chamber is stronger because of them, and we do not take that for granted.

Their work is not ceremonial. It shapes the positions we take, the partnerships we build, and the voice we bring to the table on behalf of every member of this organization. When the Chamber speaks, it speaks with the collective wisdom of those who have chosen to serve - and that is something worth recognizing every week, not just once a year. Thank you, members, for your contributions to a grateful Chamber!

As Guam approaches an important election season, the Chamber is proud to present our upcoming Gubernatorial Forums, bringing the candidates directly to our membership so you can hear from them firsthand and make informed decisions at the voting booth.

Mark your calendars:

• Wednesday, June 24: Republican Gubernatorial Teams
• Thursday, June 25: Democrat Gubernatorial Teams

This is one of the most meaningful things the Chamber does in an election year, creating a space where Guam's business community can engage directly with those seeking to lead our island. We encourage every member to attend one or both forums. Your presence matters. Your vote matters. Registration details are noted below within the newsletter. 

Leaving our island’s places better than how we found them should be part of our community mindset. The Guam Young Professionals are taking a small slice of next Saturday morning to do just that. They plan to leave places in Hagåtña better than it was before they arrived. If you would like to help with this endeavor, please scroll through the newsletter and volunteer just a small amount of your time next Saturday to make a huge difference in our community. 

This past Friday, we bid fair winds and following seas to Naval Base Commanding Officer, Captain John Frye, and welcomed Captain Shawn William to Guam. Although we are sad to bid farewell to partners who become valued friends, we take pride in knowing those relationships endure well beyond their time on island. At the same time, we look forward to building new connections and strengthening our partnership with Captain William.

More to come! Until then, I look forward to seeing you at a Chamber event soon!

Onward together,

Catherine Castro

President

GYP PROJECT: Leave It Better

Saturday, June 20, 2026 

Join the Guam Young Professionals (GYP) on Saturday, June 20th, for Project: Leave it Better. Let's join hands to leave our community better than we found it by picking up and disposing of litter and beautifying our public parks and roads. Go-time on June 20th is 6:00 a.m. in our Capitol City, Hagåtña! We plan to clean Aspinall Avenue and Plaza de España.

We'll have trash bags and gloves, and we also encourage volunteers to bring any additional clean-up tools they may have, such as rakes or other helpful equipment. Please wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes suitable for outdoor work.

All participants, including minors, must submit a completed registration form. We're excited to do this for our community - join us! BIBA GYP!

Guam Young Professionals

2026-2027 Sponsorship

Opportunities Available!

The Guam Young Professionals (GYP), a dynamic committee of the Guam Chamber of Commerce, is thrilled to announce our exclusive annual sponsorship packages for July 2026 through June 2027!

As we continue to grow our impact and inspire the next generation of business and community leaders, we invite you, our valued Chamber members, to be part of this exciting journey. Sponsoring GYP means more than just brand visibility; it’s an investment in leadership, innovation, and the future of Guam.

Don’t miss this opportunity to champion local talent and connect with Guam’s most driven young professionals. Let’s build a brighter tomorrow, together!

We would like to thank our 2025 - 2026 Sponsors

for their tremendous support of the GYP!

GYP Advocate Sponsors

Ada's Trust & Investment, Inc.

Alterxego Entertainment LLC

ASC Trust, LLC

Atkins Kroll, Inc.

Bank of Guam

BankPacific

Blue Pacific Realty

Cars Plus, LLC

Docomo Pacific

First Hawaiian Bank

M-80 Systems, Inc.

PTI Pacifica, Inc. dba: IT&E

South Pacific Petroleum Corporation

Triple J Auto Group

Vantage Advertising

GYP Partners

Glimpses of Guam

Dale Carnegie Training Hawaii & Guam

GYP Supporters

American President Lines

Bank of Hawaii

Calvo's SelectCare Insurance

Title Guarantee of Guam

Security Title Inc.

Take Care Insurance Company, Inc.

GYP Friends

Law Offices of Heather Martinez Quitugua PC

Nissan Motor Corporation in Guam

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!

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

Early Bird Registration Extended to June 19th

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.

Early bird registration has been extended until June 19, 2026.

Click the flyer for more information!

Now Is Time to Defend Free Enterprise

Neil Bradley, U.S. Chamber Executive Vice President, spoke with Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz on Bloomberg TV's Balance of Power last Friday about the U.S. Chamber’s New Fight for Free Enterprise initiative.

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Why it matters: The U.S. Chamber received a historic $100 million investment to defend and advance an economic system that creates opportunity, innovation and prosperity.

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• “This is a moment in which I think we feel an obligation to defend free enterprise, capitalism, and the benefits of our system,” Bradley said.

Learn more: U.S. Chamber of Commerce Expands New Fight for Free Enterprise Initiative

The Human Advantage in the AI Economy

This week, the U.S. Chamber Foundation hosted AI+Work, a special edition of our Talent Forward series. The summit convened leaders across business, government, and education to confront a fundamental shift already underway in the American workplace.

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The big picture: Navigating this transition requires a system-level effort. Success will not come to the organizations that adopt AI the fastest, but to those that intentionally bring along their people, partners, and communities

What we heard: 

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• AI is a multiplier, not just a disruptor. Rather than simply replacing jobs, AI is acting as a "force multiplier" that augments human capability. Our upcoming survey found that 82% of small businesses using AI reported growing their workforce. As Foundation President Michael Carney put it: "That's not a workforce in retreat; that's a workforce leaning in."

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• Human skills are here to stay. In an age of automated tasks, human-centric "durable skills"—such as critical thinking, communication, empathy, and judgment—are becoming the most valuable currency in the labor market. 

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• Trust is the bottleneck to adoption. The successful integration of AI depends less on the technology itself and more on the trust between employers and employees. Leaders must prioritize psychological safety and clarity to move workers from anxiety to curiosity. 

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• Lifelong learning is the new differentiator. The coming divide in our society is the “intentionality about becoming a lifelong learner,” as former Senator Ben Sasse noted. To remain competitive, individuals must commit to refreshing their skills as the bottom rung of the career ladder continues to shift.  

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• Start with the problem, not the tech. For businesses to see a real return on investment, AI adoption should be driven by specific challenges rather than the novelty of the tool itself. 

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What we're saying: "If we don't come together and talk about these things and try to solve them at scale, no one else is. There isn't some other room of grown-ups trying to figure this out. We're the grown-ups,” shared Suzanne Clark, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber.  

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Bottom line: AI adoption is no longer a question of if. It’s a question of how—and whether leaders can make it practical, trustworthy, and worth it for the people doing the work. 

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Go deeper:

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• Small Businesses Are Using AI—Here’s What’s Actually Working

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• The AI Era is Here. Are Students Ready? 

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.

PAPAYA BLOCK PARTY

JUNE 13 & 14

Celebrate Santa Rita–Sumai’s first annual Papaya Block Party at the SRS Community Center on June 13 and 14, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day.

Enjoy a full weekend of food, games, music, rides, arts and crafts, novelties, retail vendors, and more as the community comes together for family-friendly fun.

JUNE HILTON HAPPENINGS

Check out the Hilton Guam Resort & Spa June Happenings flyer for the latest promotions, dining specials, and exciting events taking place throughout the month. Don't miss out on all the fun and memorable experiences waiting for you at the Hilton this June!

Click the flyer for more information!

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