The Guam Chamber of Commerce joins the island of Guam and the Camacho family in bidding farewell to Guam Business Hall of Fame Laureate, Eduardo G. Camacho, a long-standing businessman, visionary, and community icon. 


Mr. Camacho founded and co-founded several businesses and entities that have impacted Guam’s economic landscape since the 1970s, which included Gibson’s Department Store, Pacific Motors Corporation, Pacific Human Resources, Inc., Citizens Security Bank, Tonko Reyes, Inc. Commercial Complex, Pacific Financial Corporation, now known as Personal Finance Center, and Pacific International Company, Inc., to name a few.


His leadership, business acumen, and civic contributions helped pave the way toward our island’s economic success. 


We send our prayers and condolences to his children and the entire Camacho family. Rest in Peace, Sir. Despidida estaki manali’e’ hit ta’lo

Eduardo G. Camacho

2024 Guam Business Hall of Fame Laureate

ďťżMARK 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

ďťż

January 17

Dave J Santos Scholarship Applications Due


January 29

General Membership Meeting (Venue: TBA)



ďťżLooking Ahead:


March 19, 2025

27th Annual Guam Chamber of Commerce Amateur Golf Tournament


May 3, 2025

101st Anniversary Gala


3rd Edition

Chamber Holiday Gift Guide


With only this weekend to finish your Christmas shopping, this is your last opportunity to view 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!

On December 19th, we had a truly heartwarming experience spreading joy and good cheer in the pediatric ward at Guam Memorial Hospital Authority. Our heartfelt wishes go out to all the children for a speedy recovery, and we extend our gratitude to the dedicated healthcare professionals for their incredible work

Dave J Santos Scholarship

Scholarship Opportunity Now Open until January 17th!


Juniors and Seniors enrolled in the University of Guam School of Business and Public Administration are invited to apply for the Guam Chamber of Commerce Dave J. Santos Scholarship. This scholarship is made available to outstanding business majors of the University of Guam. The scholarship will award one student in the 2025 Spring Semester $1,000.00 plus a paid internship with the Guam Chamber of Commerce.

 

This scholarship is sponsored and funded by the members of the Guam Chamber of Commerce in recognition of the achievements of the late Dave J. Santos, an entrepreneur, past Chairman of the Guam Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and the 1993 Small Business Person of the Year.


The Guam Chamber of Commerce will receive and evaluate applications for eligibility. All eligible applications will be forwarded to the info@GuamChamber.com.gu where a scholarship committee will review the applications and recommend scholarship recipients to the Board of Directors for award.


The Guam Chamber of Commerce will begin accepting applications immediately. The deadline to submit applications for the 2024-2025 Academic Year is Friday, January 17, 2025. Additional information on the Dave J. Santos Scholarship and the application process will be available on the Chamber's website at www.GuamChamber.com.gu.


Download the David J. Santos Scholarship Application

Download the Rules & Timeline

Scholarship Flyer


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

Deadline Extended DECEMBER 27th!

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 27, 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

Stay Safe by Shopping Smart This Holiday Season


You’re probably tackling that holiday shopping list, looking for the perfect gifts for your loved ones. But while you’re hunting for deals, there’s something worth keeping in mind—counterfeit goods. Fakes can ruin the festive mood and harm workers who put so much effort into making the real thing. 

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Why it matters: Counterfeit products might seem harmless at first glance, but they can bring real risks to your family. From toys made with substandard materials to untested electronics with faulty wiring, these products could turn a joyful moment into a dangerous one. 

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  • And: Scammers capitalizing on holiday shopping can pose risks to your online security by stealing credit card details or personal information. 

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Big picture: Buying counterfeit products doesn’t just put your family at risk—it also impacts local businesses and American workers, costing the U.S. economy over $500 billion a year.

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  • Fake goods undermine businesses and workers that deliver quality and safety. When you choose authentic products, you’re supporting the people who play by the rules. 

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How to Shop Smart This Season 

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What you can do: Staying safe and avoiding counterfeit goods is easier than you think. Follow these tips to make sure you’re buying gifts that bring joy and not trouble:

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  1. Trust your gut: If that deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Be cautious with links that take you to websites that just don’t look right.
  2. Check for secure websites: Always buy from secure sites—look for the “https://” and the lock icon in your browser. It’s a quick way to make sure you’re shopping safely. 
  3. Inspect what you get: When your purchase arrives, pay attention to the details. Are the labels correct? Does the packaging look professional? Missing safety seals or unusual materials might be a red flag.
  4. Stay cyber-safe: Keep your devices updated with the latest security software to protect you against malware that might be hidden on questionable websites.
  5. Speak up: If you spot counterfeit goods, let the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center know. Sharing your experience with family and friends also helps everyone shop smarter and stay protected. 

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Dig deeper: 

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The Holidays: Brought to You by American Business


The holiday season blends joy, tradition, and economic impact, with businesses fueling festivities and growth. Holiday spending in 2024 is forecast to grow between 2.5% and 3.5%, reaching as high as $989 billion.

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Why it matters: The holidays are an important time for retailers. The industry — America’s largest private-sector employer — supports more than one in four U.S. jobs and contributes $5.3 trillion annually to the economy. Retailers will hire 400,000 to 500,000 seasonal workers, and the effects of a successful season will ripple through local communities.

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By the numbers: National Retail Federation estimates:

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  • Shoppers plan to spend an average of $902, including $641 on gifts.
  • E-commerce will grow between 8% and 9%, and 57% of consumers will engage in online shopping.
  • Be smart: Beyond shopping, Americans are investing in holiday experiences.
  • 41% of Americans plan to travel, with that share rising to 68% of Gen Z, according to Bank of America.
  • Food, hosting, and festivities remain staples, with $261 of Americans’ budgets dedicated to seasonal items like decorations and candy.


Bottom line: From innovative products and festive in-store experiences that support jobs, American businesses help make the holidays happen.

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Learn more: The U.S. Chamber’s Brought to You by American Business highlights how businesses bring important cultural events to life, creating economic growth.

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).

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

GVB

2024

Industry Recovery Updates

Click here

View Guams SBDC'S

December 2024

ďťżTraining Events!

View Guam APEX

Accelerators

December 2024

ďťżTraining Events


Webinars are held every Thursday from 10am - 11:30am via Zoom. 

Zoom links emailed to registered attendees 30 minutes before the webinar. 

THANK YOU, MEMBERS!

Si Yu'os Ma'ĂĽse to our Centurion Plus Sponsors!

 

Si Yu'os Ma'ĂĽse to our Centurion Sponsor!

Si Yu'os Ma'ĂĽse to our Centennial Contributors!

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

Wishes do come true - don't believe us? Give this holiday playlist a listen and you too, may start to believe! 😉

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