Chill Weekend Updates Just For You!

Hafa Adai Catherine,

National Small Business Week commemorates the contributions, ingenuity, and hard work of our small businesses and entrepreneurs who make up the foundation of our island and our nation's private sector. This year, the commemoration culminates on the same day as the Chamber's Centennial Jubilee (Saturday, May 4th), where the Chamber will recognize and pay tribute to member companies celebrating milestone anniversaries in service to local and regional residents. Without our local businesses, we would not have the economy we have today that we continue to work so ardently to secure not just for today but for our future generations.

Your Chamber has loaded up several events and activities created with you in mind. Scroll for updates and keep your eyes on your inbox for future updates.

In the meantime, enjoy all the graduations, promotions, and celebrations associated with the month of May and Biba! Guam Chamber Members on the celebration of your Guam Chamber of Commerce's first one hundred years of existence!

Onward Together,

Catherine Castro

President

May General Membership Meeting

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

Your Guam Chamber of Commerce General Membership Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at the Micronesian Ballroom, Hilton Guam Resort & Spa. This month's meeting will feature Anita Borja Enriquez, D.B.A., President of the University of Guam.

We encourage members to rsvp and make advance payment to secure their seats and for a swift and fast entry on the day of the event. This meeting is on a first-come-first-served basis, click the button below to save your seat today!

Click here to register!

Guam Chamber Member, Jessica Leon Guerrero,

President of M80 Systems awarded the U.S. Small Business Administration's 2024 State Small Businessperson of the Year!

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Jessica Leon Guerrero, President of M80 Systems, for being recognized as the U.S. Small Business Administration's 2024 State Small Businessperson of the Year. This prestigious award is a testament to Jessica's leadership, dedication, and passion for entrepreneurship. We are incredibly proud to have her as a valued member of the Chamber and we are thrilled to see her hard work and success recognized on a national level. Congratulations, Jessica, on this well-deserved achievement!

Click here to read more!

Season: 1 Episode: 1

Chamber BIZBOX Podcast

now available!

This latest episode spotlights the importance of Guam Crime Stoppers featuring Mr. Jim McDonald, Chairman, Crime Stoppers of Guam, to talk about the crime situation on our island and the protocol in place to protect individual identity when submitting crime tips. Take a listen to this new episode on Youtube or Spotify today!

Mr. McDonald encourages everyone to download the The Guam Crime Stoppers P3 TIPS app available on the App Store and Google play, which will allow anyone to provide authorities with crime tips in a safe and secure platform. Download the app today!

Thank you, members, for your support of our

Centennial Jubilee Celebration!

U.S. Chamber Updates

BIG CHAMPIONS FOR SMALL BUSINESS

At the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, we see every day how new, innovative, and bold entrepreneurs and their small businesses venture into uncharted territory to serve their customers, clients, and communities.

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What's happening: May is Small Business Month, a time to acknowledge and celebrate the vital contributions of America's entrepreneurs and small business owners.

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Big numbers: Small businesses drive the U.S. economy—employing nearly half of the nation's workforce, and accounting for over 43% of America's GDP.

46% of Americans are employed by small businesses
33.2 million small businesses operate in the U.S.
5.5 million small business jobs created since 2020

Why it matters: In a nation built by entrepreneurs and driven by free enterprise, small businesses should be free to hire, innovate, grow, and strengthen their local economies and communities.

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Chamber action: The U.S. Chamber works daily to give small businesses a big voice in Washington, connect entrepreneurs and federal officials, and advocate for policies that help them grow rather than hold them back. The Chamber also commits to:

Standing up for small business rights
Opposing policies that hurt small businesses' bottom line
Fighting to reauthorize the Small Business Administration,
Highlighting small business contribution's to the economy
Educating lawmakers on the biggest threats and challenges to small business

Articles

Baltimore Bridge Collapse Affects Business and the Economy

Small Business Outlook: Hiring Plans Dip

Business Outreach

S.A.M.E GUAM POST ANNOUNCES DATES FOR THE GUAM INDUSTRY FORUM 2024

The Guam Post of the Society of American Engineers (S.A.M.E.) announced on Thursday, May 1, 2024, that it will be hosting the much-anticipated Guam Industry Forum 2024 from November 14-15, 2024, at the Dusit Thani Guam Resort. The two-day forum will welcome speakers and attendees from around the globe to network and meet decision-makers aligned with planned military expansion projects in Guam and the West Pacific.

S.A.M.E. Guam Post also announced it will be hosting its annual Charlie Corn Scholarship Golf Tournament on Nov. 16. This scholarship tournament is the longest-running annual charity benefit event on Guam, dating back to 1978, which provides scholarships for students pursuing degrees in engineering or architecture. In the last 14 years, the scholarship program awarded 120 scholarships totaling $341,000.

Click here to read more!

During National Small Business Week

Take Steps to Secure Your Business

This year, during National Small Business Week, we celebrate the more than 32 million small businesses that are the backbone of our economy and so often the heart of our communities. Whether these businesses are found in small towns, big cities, or places in between, there are practical steps you can take to secure them against cyberattacks. As many of us have seen in the news or witnessed firsthand, cyberattacks like ransomware can abruptly shut down a small business--utterly devastating its owners, employees, and customers; sometimes even impacting the larger community.

They are the target of cyber criminals because small businesses don’t always have the resources to invest in cybersecurity. So, during this year’s National Small Business Week (April 28-May 4), I am personally inviting you to use the many free resources offered by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to create cyber safety habits that will help you Secure Your Business.

Click here to read more!

US DOL Wage & Hour Division

Final Rule: Restoring and Extending Overtime Protections

The final rule does not change the special salary levels that currently apply in the U.S. territories. Although the Department proposed changes to these special salary levels in the 2023 NPRM, the Department did not finalize these proposed changes and will address the special salary levels for U.S. territories in a future final rule.

View FAQs

The U.S. Department of Labor (Department) announced a final rule, Defining and Delimiting the Exemptions for Executive, Administrative, Professional, Outside Sales, and Computer Employees, which will take effect on July 1, 2024.

Click here to read more!

Clear the Clipboards

Guam Girl Scouts

The Guam Girl Scouts is looking for businesses and community partners to purchase or donate cases of cookies to help wrap up the 2024 cookie season! If your company is looking to purchase cases of their delicious flavored cookie or make a donation, contact the Guam Girl Scouts via email at GuamGirlScout@gmail.com.

Click here to purchase Girl Scout cookies or make a donation!

Community Outreach

16th Annual Race Judicata 5K

Saturday, May 11, 2024

Join the I Familian I Kotte & The Guam Bar Assoication for its 16th annual Judicata 5K Run/Walk or Fly! The race will take place at the Judiciary of Guam in Hagatna and is scheduled for Saturday, May 11, 2024. Showtime will start at 5:00 a.m. and run begins at 6:00 a.m. Early registration fee is set for $15.00 and $20.00 on the day of the race. Don't forget to purchase raffle tickets for a change to win a grand raffle worth $1,000 and baby grand raffle worth $750! This 5K event proceeds to benifit the Catholic Social Service & I Familian I Kotte'. Register today by clicking here!

SAVE THE DATE

36th Guam Micronesia Island Fair

June 1st and 2nd

Save the Date for Guam's 36th Micronesian Island Fair scheduled to take place at the Governor Joseph Flores Memorial Park in Ypao Beach from Saturday, June 1st to Sunday, June 2nd. The Guam Micronesia Island Fair is an event that showcases the unique cultural heritage of Micronesia. This event is a celebration of the customs, traditions, food, and art of the islands. At the celebration, visitors have the opportunity to experience the vibrant and diverse cultures of Micronesia. You can watch traditional dance performances, taste local delicacies, participate in fun-filled family activities, and purchase handmade crafts from the artists themselves. For more information, contact (671) 646-5278 or view the website at

Visit Guam!

Need assistance in posting your job positions? Our Projects and Programs Coordinator, Schuyler Delgado, is available to assist you. Please submit your information via email or by contacting your Chamber Team at (671) 472-6311/8001. Click here to view job announcements!

Check out what's happening with our fellow Chamber members! News sent to us by a Chamber member is featured on our "member news" page. Feel free to send us your releases and we are happy to share your news!

Resources & Training