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Greetings!
Well! The month of May flew by in such a flurry of events and activities! The pace will continue to accelerate as the political season becomes increasingly more active. For the business community, this is a critical time to stay informed, engaged, and prepared for the policy decisions that will shape our economic environment.
Your Guam Chamber of Commerce remains committed to serving as a neutral and trusted platform. Our role is to ensure that the voice of the private sector is heard clearly and constructively, particularly on the issues that directly impact employers, workforce development, and the cost of doing business.
In that spirit, we are pleased to host a two-day series of gubernatorial forums featuring both gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial candidates from the Republican and Democrat parties. These forums are designed to give our members direct access to the individuals seeking to lead our island, while focusing the discussion on the issues that matter most to Guam’s business community.
We encourage all members to take advantage of this opportunity - review event details by scrolling below and reserve your seats today. Your participation not only strengthens your own understanding of the candidates and their positions but also reinforces the importance of a well-informed and engaged private sector.
Guam is scheduled to receive a significant visit from a large naval vessel this month - read more from MBJ and prepare your business establishments for increased activity when these military guests seek your services and products. Let's welcome them with a warm "Hafa Adai!"
It was great to see our Armed Forces Committee come together this past week and welcome SES Mark Hashimoto from Marine Forces Pacific. Be on the lookout for more events like this one from the AFC again soon. The Guam Young Professionals are seeking annual sponsors this month. Scroll down to learn more about the GYP and its sponsorship opportunities.
June is looking to be filling up quickly with work, community, and family activities. I hope that you continue to stay engaged with us, participate in upcoming events, and be an active part of the Chamber's work. But first, let's enjoy the weekend!
Onward together,
Catherine Castro
President
| | Upcoming Events | JUNE 2026 | | |
JUN 20
GYP Project:
Leave it Better
Hagåtña
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JUN 24
Gubernatorial Forum I: Featuring Republican Candidates
Hilton Guam Resort & Spa
RSVP Required
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JUN 25
Gubernatorial Forum II: Featuring Democrat Candidates
Hilton Guam Resort & Spa
RSVP Required
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AFC General Membership Meeting
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Fort San Jose, Dusit Beach Resort
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The Armed Forces Committee held their first General Membership Meeting on Thursday, June 4th, at the Dusit Thani Guam Resort, featuring guest speaker Mark A. Hashimoto. Mr. Hashimoto shared insights on the role and mission of MARFORPAC and discussed topics of interest to the membership regarding military and regional engagement in the Indo-Pacific.
We were honored to have Mr. Hashimoto join us and provide an informative and engaging presentation. Events like these offer valuable opportunities for members to stay informed and connected with leaders from our community.
Thank you to our AFC members for your continued support and participation. We look forward to hosting more meaningful events in the months ahead.
View more photos here!
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GYP PROJECT: Leave It Better
Saturday, June 20, 2026
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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!
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Guam Young Professionals
2026-2027 Sponsorship
Opportunities Available!
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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!
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We would like to thank our 2025 - 2026 Sponsors
for their tremendous support of the GYP!
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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
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.
GYP Friends
Law Offices of Heather Martinez Quitugua PC
Nissan Motor Corporation in Guam
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Guam Chamber Gubernatorial Forums
Wednesday, June 24 &
Thursday, June 25
The Chamber is pleased to present two Gubernatorial forums featuring both the governor and the lieutenant governor candidates across both aisles. We are curating questions specific to issues important to the private sector and the growth of our economy. You have an opportunity to provide feedback as well by sharing your thoughts and concerns with us via this link. We will compile the information and formulate questions to both the governor and the lieutenant governor candidates.
We encourage you to save your seats for both dates to learn more about the candidates and make informed decisions at the polls!
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Guam Chamber's 102nd Anniversary Gala Celebration
Saturday, September 12, 2026 • Dusit Thani Resort Guam
RESERVE YOUR SEAT TODAY!
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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.
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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
| | SBA's Patriot Pitch Competition is now open! Submit your business pitch for your share of $1M | |
Do you have a small business that’s driving innovation, shaking up your industry, and helping build America's economic future?
The U.S. Small Business Administration just launched the Patriot Pitch Competition, a nationwide celebration of 250 years of American free enterprise.
Featuring a $1 million cash prize pool donated by Clover, the competition is open to eligible small businesses that have used qualifying SBA capital products.
The competition will progress through four stages of judging. Submissions will be evaluated on how your business:
- Strengthens American competitiveness.
- Innovates and makes an outsized impact on your industry.
- Delivers economic opportunities and quality jobs.
- Demonstrates strong fundamentals and execution readiness.
It all culminates this September in Washington, D.C., with a massive, live one-day finals event. The top finalists will pitch live before a panel of judges and a national audience. The event will also feature a supplier matchmaking expo, prominent guest speakers, and networking opportunities with major investors and industry leaders.
Submit Your Pitch Here!
The deadline to apply is June 10.
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Early Bird Registration Extended to June 19th
Guam Industry Forum 2026
July 28-30, 2026 at the Dusit Thani Guam Resort
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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!
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Tax Cuts and Deregulation Are Working.
Permitting Reform is Next.
U.S. Chamber President and CEO Suzanne P. Clark appeared on CNBC's Squawk Box Tuesday morning with a clear message: Policymakers should build on pro-growth policy wins. Tax reform and deregulatory efforts have delivered roughly $1.2 trillion in savings for Americans, Clark said.
Why it matters: Uncertainty and rising costs constrain businesses of all sizes. “Inflation is concerning, the cost of inputs is a real problem, and so is finding the right level of skilled workers,” Clark said. The numbers back her up. The U.S. Chamber Small Business Index found hiring intent dropped from 42% to 30% in a single quarter.
Be smart: Permitting reform can bring costs down. "If we don't remove some of these supply constraints, we're going to be dealing with affordability issues for a long time. We've got to free up supply," Clark said. Bipartisan momentum for it is building. “I was on the Hill last week with a bunch of Senators from both sides of the aisle who really understand this and want to get it done, so I’m cautiously optimistic.”
Big picture: AI is proving to be a positive tool for small businesses. Sixty percent of small businesses use AI tools, and 82% of those report they are hiring, said Clark.
Bottom line: The pro-growth foundation is strong, and permitting reform can build on it. WATCH
How Small Businesses Are Fueling U.S. Job Growth
One big thing: Every month, roughly 5 million Americans start a new job. For some, it is a first job, for many, it is the next rung on their career ladder.
By the numbers:
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A U.S. Chamber analysis of data dating back to 2001 reveals that small businesses accounted for, on average, 78.2% of hiring.
- Over the past year, small business hiring has become even more important. Since February of 2025, small businesses have accounted for an average of 80.4% of hiring, or approximately 4 million hires a month.
Looking ahead, small businesses are poised to be even more important for those seeking a new job.
- Since 2001, small businesses have been responsible for an average of 71.8% of job openings.
- Since February of last year, that share has been 77.4%.
Bottom line: The resiliency of America's small businesses - who are now benefitting from tax certainty and regulatory relief - has been critical in keeping America's employment engine running. READ MORE
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Guam National Heritage Area
Feasibility Study Newsletter
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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.
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REGISTER TO VOTE!
If you would like to vote but are not registered, you can register online at the Guam Election Commission's website. You will need either a valid Guam Driver's License or a Guam identification card to register electronically. Click here to register to vote.
Dates to remember:
Guam Primary Election: Saturday, August 1, 2026 [Polls open: 7 am - 8 pm]
General Election: Tuesday, November 3, 2026 [Polls open: 7 am - 8 pm]
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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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PAPAYA BLOCK PARTY
JUNE 13 & 14
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