Tidbits & Updates Just For You! 🎄

Greetings!

Happy Weekend!

If you’re exploring health insurance options, be sure to join our Health Insurance Benefits Brief on Monday, December 15th. Our previous session received great feedback, and this follow-up is your opportunity to ask questions and better understand this valuable Chamber member benefit.

The Abraham Lincoln Strike Group is in town - let's extend our warm Hafa Adai greetings when you see them out and about over the next few days! Their visit and the recent port call by the USS George Washington bring a welcome boost to our economy

I hope you’re enjoying this festive season! Scroll through the updates below to catch up on the latest Chamber news, and we look forward to seeing you at an upcoming event soon.

Onward together,

Catherine Castro

President

Upcoming Events | DECEMBER

DEC 15

Health Insurance Virtual Benefits Brief!

DEC 25

Merry Christmas! Chamber Office Closed

JAN 1

Happy New Year! Office Closed

View Full Calendar

Health Insurance Virtual Benefits Brief II

Last opportunity before the end of open enrollment!

Your Chamber is pleased to invite interested members to an informational session to learn more about the Guam Chamber Group Health Insurance Program.

This session will take place virtually on Monday, December 15th, beginning at 1:30 p.m. During the session, representatives from our insurance provider, SelectCare, will outline the benefits of the program, eligibility requirements, and enrollment process. For members already enrolled in the group plan, you will learn about updates to the plan.

We encourage all interested members to attend and bring any questions you may have. Please confirm your attendance by registering using the QR code in this message.

We look forward to seeing you and helping your business explore this valuable Chamber member benefit!

Join Zoom Meeting

Wrapping Up The Toy Collection! 🧸

On Friday, December 12th, Marine Corps Base Camp Blas delivered toys to Catholic Social Service, the Salvation Army, and Mañe'lu - Micronesian Resource Center to spread joy and holiday cheer to children and families in need.

We extend our sincerest gratitude to the entire community of Guam, which contributed to this year's campaign. Your generosity and dedication will definitely bring smiles to the faces of many families, and we are truly appreciative of your continued support in making this meaningful effort possible.

View More Photos Here!

Nominations Open for the 2025

Reina A. Leddy Guam Young Professional of the Year Award

Deadline: December 26, 2025

The GYP is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the Reina A. Leddy Guam Young Professional of the Year Award, a distinguished honor recognizing outstanding achievement, leadership, and service among Guam’s emerging professionals.

Established in tribute to Reina A. Leddy, a respected leader who championed the development and advancement of Guam’s young workforce, the award celebrates individuals who demonstrate exceptional professional accomplishments, leadership excellence, and meaningful contributions to the island’s business community.

The Chamber is invites employers, colleagues, community leaders, and organizations to submit nominations for qualified individuals using the official online form.

The deadline to submit nominations is December 26, 2025.

U.S. Chamber Updates

Inflation, Workforce Pressures Weigh on Small Businesses

The latest MetLife & U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index shows that employers’ concerns about recruiting and retaining workers have been rising over the past year. The survey also shows that inflation lingers as the top concern for small businesses.

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Why it matters: Small businesses are navigating a critical holiday season, balancing inflation-driven challenges with efforts to attract talent and sustain community support.

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By the numbers:

Inflation persists: 45% of small businesses cite inflation as their biggest challenge, in line with last quarter. Nearly 60% expect to raise prices, and 52% anticipate lower revenue this holiday season due to inflation.

Workforce struggles grow: 17% of small businesses say employee retention is a challenge (up from 12% a year ago), and 14% say attracting talent is a top concern—more than double last year’s figure (6%).

Be smart:

79% of small businesses say the holiday season is important for their profit, up from 70% last year.
More businesses plan to hire seasonal workers (29%, up 7 percentage points) compared to this time last year.
65% of small businesses plan to donate to charitable organizations this holiday season, up from 54% last year.

Our take: “Small businesses are showing resilience, even amid uncertainty exacerbated by the longest government shutdown in history, when this survey was in the field,” said Tom Sullivan, Senior Vice President of Small Business Policy at the U.S. Chamber. READ MORE

How Businesses Can Thrive Amid Inflation, Tariffs, and AI Disruption

Persistent inflation, shifting trade policies, and disruptive technologies like AI are reshaping the business landscape. On Dec. 10, Neil Bradley, U.S. Chamber Executive Vice President, and RSM US Chief Economist Joe Brusuelas discussed how businesses can adapt to these challenges.

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Why it matters: To remain competitive and drive growth, companies must embrace innovation, enhance efficiency, and prepare for evolving economic conditions.

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Key takeaways: Bradley and Brusuelas outlined trends shaping the economic landscape.

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Inflation’s impact: Inflation at 3% still exceeds the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. “The difference between two and three is 50%...creating uncertainty and concern,” Bradley said.

Tariff turbulence: We have not seen the full effects of higher tariffs. “It will be mid-2027, before consumers really feel it,” Brusuelas said. Bradley added that while some tariffs may be struck down by the Supreme Court, ongoing trade uncertainty remains a challenge.

AI as a tool for resilience: Bradley highlighted the rapid adoption of generative AI, with 58% of small businesses already using it. He emphasized that leveraging technology now will help businesses adapt to economic challenges.

Watch!

Holiday Playlists Curated for You!

Wishes do come true! Lend an ear to this playful holiday selection, and you, too, may start to believe!

Sometimes you need a Christmas playlist with all the feels... we got you!

Chamber Member Spotlight Podcasts

Get to know your small business colleagues by listening to any of the podcasts produced to promote our small business members! Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube!

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

Happy Hyatt Holidays!

Enjoy a sensory holiday experience with the sight, sound, and smell of the season! Help decorate Guam's largest gingerbread house and help the Make-A-Wish Foundation or finish up your Christmas shopping at Santa's Gift Shop featuring local businesses throughout the week! Bring home the magic of Feasts-to-Go! Let the Hyatt take care of the cooking so you can savor the season! Call (671) 648-3882 or email: deli.guam@hyatt.com.

Hilton Holidays Happenings!

Hilton Guam is celebrating the season with a variety of December holiday events, dining specials and family-friend activities. Be sure to check out their Holiday Happenings and save a few dates to your calendar!

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Keep Guam Clean! Beach Clean Up

Matapang Beach Park, December 13, 2025

In efforts to keep our island and beaches clean, 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.

When: December 13, 2025

Where: Matapang Beach Park

Show Time: 6:30 a.m.

Start Time: 7:00 a.m.

4th Annual Governor’s Holiday Light Festival Parade Returns to Hagåtña on December 17

The Office of the Governor welcomes the entire island community to join in one of the season’s most heartwarming celebrations, the 4th Annual Governor’s Holiday Light Festival Parade, taking place on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Skinner Plaza. This year’s theme, “Håfa Adai Holidays – Christmas in Paradise,” invites everyone to embrace the magic of the season in the heart of our capital city.

Families can look forward to festive floats, marchers, walkers, and beautifully decorated vehicles. Pop-up vendors will also be open within Skinner Plaza from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., offering holiday items and locally made goods.

Individuals, families, government agencies, commercial groups, and nonprofit organizations are welcome to participate. Registration is available online at:

https://forms.gle/on9Ljkx2STN6uVDr8

For more information, contact Christine Cepeda (DISID) at 671-787-7241.

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NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK AWARDS

For more than 60 years, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has celebrated National Small Business Week (NSBW), which acknowledges the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. National Small Business Week 2026 will take place May 3-9, and SBA will officially recognize their hard work, ingenuity, dedication, and their contributions to the economy. NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN.

Submit your NSBW awards nominations by December 22, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. ET.

Resources & Training