Sleigh Into The Weekend With These Updates! 🎄

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

December 25

Merry Christmas!

Chamber Office Closed

January 1, 2025

Happy New Year!

Chamber Office Closed

January 16

Armed Forces Committee Presents

A Conversation with Tamara Esteves,

Quality of Life Director, J9

Commander, Joint Region Marianas

January 20

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

January 29

General Membership Meeting (Venue: TBA)

Looking Ahead:

March 2025

27th Annual Guam Chamber of Commerce Amateur Golf Tournament

May 3, 2025

101st Anniversary Gala

Chamber Holiday Gift Guide

3rd Edition

Get ready to elevate your holiday spirit with Edition 3 of the Guam Chamber’s Holiday Gift Guide! This season, we have an array of festive offerings, from special discounts for Family & Friends and cozy holiday staycations to scrumptious Christmas breakfasts, brunches, lunches, and dinners. You’re sure to find the perfect treat for everyone on your list!

A huge Si Yu'os Ma'åse to our awesome Chamber members for sharing their incredible offers—we couldn’t do it without you. Check it out now and unwrap the joy this holiday season! Share this gift guide with your family and friends - we don't want anyone to miss out on these holiday specials!

NEW EPISODE!

Chamber Member Spotlight Podcast

We're excited to bring you Episode 7 of our Chamber Member Spotlight Podcast featuring the inspiring Gary Tanaka, Managing Partner of The Coconut Tree Company!

Join us as Gary shares his journey in the business world, the story behind The Coconut Tree Company, and his vision for sustainable practices in our community. From the challenges to the triumphs, it's a conversation you won’t want to miss! Click the links below!

Youtube • Spotify • Apple Podcasts

Armed Forces Committee A Conversations With

Captain Jessica Worst

On Thursday, December 12, 2024, the Armed Forces Committee (AFC) gathered at the Chamber Office in Hagåtna for an enlightening meeting with a special guest speaker, Captain Jessica Worst, Commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam!

Captain Worst took to the podium to deliver an insightful presentation on the USCG Forces Micronesia Sector, providing AFC members with a deeper understanding of the important work accomplished by the Coast Guard in our region.

AFC members had the opportunity to engage with Captain Worst during a Q&A session, where they asked thoughtful questions and gained valuable insights.

Update from Congressman

James Moylan

Late Wednesday evening, eastern time, the House of Representatives passed the conferenced version of the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This is the version the House and the Senate negotiated after both chambers passed their respective NDAA versions. The passed version includes over $2.08 billion in authorizations for Department of Defense (DoD) investments in Guam for FY2025. Contained in this figure are amendments proffered by Delegate Moylan (which were also negotiated in the conference), which include authorizations for:

• $100 million for Access Roads.

• An increase of $181 million for the Guam Missile Defense, now authorized at nearly $620 million.

• $600 million for repairs of the Guam Glass Breakwater.

The NDAA also includes an additional $2 billion for future DoD projects, including $488 million for military housing advocated by Delegate Moylan, to reduce the military's need to rent from the local inventory. Read more of the news release!

DEADLINE: December 18, 2024

Guam State Trade Expansion Program

(Guam STEP 2025)

The Guam STEP 2025 is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Guam STEP is intended to assist eligible small businesses enter and succeed in the international marketplace. The program’s objectives are to increase the number of small businesses that are exporting and to increase the value of exports for those small businesses that are currently exporting. Guam STEP provides eligible small businesses with comprehensive export training, financial assistance for new to export and/or market expansion activities, and access to international markets.

GEDA is now accepting applications. The deadline to apply is at 5:00 PM on December 18, 2024. Previous STEP participants interested in the new cycle must submit a new application.

For more information about the program or to download the Guam STEP application, visit https://www.investguam.com/step/.

U.S. Chamber Updates

Pause on Credit Card Late Fees Rule Continues

In a win against government micromanagement of business, a federal court in Texas last week refused to lift a preliminary injunction on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) credit card late fees rule and held that the Bureau likely exceeded its statutory authority in issuing the rule.

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· The U.S. Chamber sued the CFPB in March to block the rule, and the court halted it in May before it could take effect.

Why it matters: The rule would have punished Americans who pay their credit card bills on time by forcing them to pay for those who don’t. It also would have limited access to affordable credit for many consumers.

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Looking ahead: With a new Administration coming in next year, the CFPB could choose to rescind the rule.

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Dig deeper:

· How the U.S. Chamber Halted the CFPB's Credit Card Late Fees Rule

Chamber In Action

· “The U.S. Chamber is proud to support H.R. 5009, the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025. We applaud the bipartisan, bicameral work to strengthen our military and national security programs on the world stage while upholding our commitment to the men and women who serve our nation,” said U.S. Chamber Head of Government Affairs Rodney Davis. “Now Congress must swiftly pass the NDAA to ensure America continues to meet our procurement, research, and readiness priorities.”

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· The House of Representatives passed the Prove It Act last week. The U.S. Chamber is proud to support this bipartisan bill that would reduce the federal red tape burden on American small businesses. Tom Sullivan, Chamber Vice President of Small Business Policy, wrote about how it will help small businesses in a Newsweek op-ed in March.

AmChams of Asia Pacific Update

AmChams of Asia Pacific Virtual Briefing Post US Election:

What Lies Ahead

Register for the AmChams of Asia Pacific virtual briefing featuring Loren Monroe, Principal, BGR Group State & Local Advocacy Practice, and Jonathon Mantz, Principal, BGR Group Commerce, Infrastructure, and Energy Practice of BGR Group on Friday, December 13, 2024, at 9:00 am (ChST). The guest speakers will delve into the implications of the US Election outcome, the transition, and what it means for business, the Asia Pacific, and the world. Guam Chamber members are encouraged to register below by no later than Tuesday, December 10, 2024, to ensure attendees are registered and receive the Zoom details. Click here to register today!

Community Outreach

Safe Drive Home

Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center (GBHWC), in partnership with TOHGE, Inc., is bringing back the Safe Drive Home program, a free service providing safe rides home during the holiday season. This initiative, now in its fourth year, offers up to five (5) individuals per ride request. The program will operate daily from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m., starting Monday, December 16, 2024, through Thursday, January 2, 2025. To request a Safe Drive Home driver, call (671) 787-9276 or (671) 686-9276 (TOHGE Warmline). If you, or anyone you know, is experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline).

GHRA/JGTA Keep Guam Clean! Beach Cleanup 2024

The Guam Hotel and Restaurant Association (GHRA) and the Japan Guam Travel Association (JGTA) will once again collaborate to organize the Keep Guam Clean! Beach Cleanup. The event details are as follows:

Date: Saturday, December 14, 2024
Show time: 6:30 a.m.
Go time: 7:00 a.m.
Where: Matapang Beach Park

Bring your family and friends and register for GHRA and JGTA's upcoming beach clean-up!

Getting Guam Healthy 2024

5k Bubble Run / Walk and Healthy Fair

The Todu Guam Annual 5K Bubble Run is just around the corner, and you won’t want to miss this exhilarating event! Save the date: December 21 at Ypao Beach Park!

The festivities kick off bright and early at 5 AM, with the race launching at 6 AM. This is your chance to dive into the last public 5K of the year, splashed with vibrant bubbles, thrilling obstacles, and pop-up shops for those last-minute Christmas gifts. It’s not just a run, it’s a celebration you won't want to miss as they wrap up 2024 in style! So gather your friends and family, lace up those running shoes, and get ready for a bubbling good time!

Listen To Our Great Podcasts

Click here to take a listen to our Member Spotlight Podcast!

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