We would like to thank the Republican candidates for attending the GYP You Decide Legislative Forum & Mixer on Thursday, October 10th. 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 facilitation and leadership throughout the evening. Special thanks to our members who joined us on Thursday, October 10th, and big thanks to our GYP Sponsors and our Centurion Plus Sponsors for their great support!

GYP Advocate Sponsors: Bank of Guam • GuamTemps • GTA

GYP Supporter Sponsors: Docomo Pacific • Vantage Advertising

GYP Supporter Sponsors: First Hawaiian Bank • Matson Navigation Company

Security Title, Inc. • South Pacific Petroleum Corporation

Centurion Plus Sponsors: Atkins Kroll, Inc. • First Hawaiian Bank

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

In partnership with the Career Academy of Tiyan High School (T.H.S.), they invite you as a guest speaker to represent your organization for their Career Day on Thursday, November 07, 2024. This annual event is one way they offer a work-based learning (WBL) opportunity and uphold their mission to produce globally competitive citizens.

T.H.S. is now recognized by the National Career Academy Coalition as a Model Academy School. As a community, they hold a responsibility to better prepare the youth for life after high school. Your collaboration is essential to the success of bringing forth the opportunity to close the gap between the youth’s high school learning experiences and their post-secondary endeavors.

Upon acceptance, they encourage you to prepare a 40-45-minute presentation of your career and organization. Visual aids, props, or photos are highly encouraged to provide their students with a better understanding of your career.

Business opportunity: If your business is interested in participating in this upcoming career day, the invitation letter is downloadable by clicking here. Please send your completed form to Ms. Jackie or Ms. Rebekah!

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

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!

Si Yu'os Ma'åse to our proud sponsors!

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 that just kicked off on October 1, 2024!

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

Small Businesses to Washington:

Prioritize the Economy

Small businesses report having their highest levels of confidence in years, but many are voicing concerns about Washington's gridlock and potential tax hikes. 

Eyes on November: According to the MetLife and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index, 71% of small business owners are more focused on this year's election than previous cycles, with many calling for America's leaders to work together to get things done. 

Why it matters: Main Street businesses understand the decisons made in Washington directly impact their operations and bottom line.  

•  This includes taxes. Unless Congress and the White House act, the corporate tax rate will dramatically increase at the end of 2025. Such inaction would have real consequences for businesses, workers, and communities nationwide. 

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Small biz speaks: Small business owners are unwavering in their priorities, calling for policies that support the essential role they play to many local economies: 

Prioritize the economy: 78% want the next president and Congress to prioritize the economy and inflation.  

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Fight tax hikes: 88% say preventing tax increases on businesses should be a top priority for the next Congress.  

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Tackle inflation: 56% cite inflation as their biggest challenge, a figure that has remained steady since 2022.  

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Work together: 84% believe partisan gridlock is a major obstacle and call for bipartisan compromise.

Bright spot: Despite concerns about what’s happening in Washington, small businesses report their highest confidence since early 2020, fueled by optimistic revenue expectations and plans to increase headcount next year. 

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·  73% expect revenue to increase next year 

·  44% anticipate increasing staff in the next year—near a 2023 high of 47% 

Be In The Know For

The General Election

23 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 begins on October 14th through 28th, Monday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. at the Westin Resort Guam! 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!