See Ya, Summer! 🏖️ Hello, September

Greetings!

As we wrap up another busy week at the Chamber, we wanted to share some important updates and invite you to stay engaged with our latest advocacy efforts, events, and initiatives.

The Governor’s decision to veto the FY2026 Budget Bill is disappointing. The Chamber remains committed to engaging thoughtfully and collaboratively for meaningful GMH reforms, while steadfastly supporting tax policies that allow local businesses to thrive. If you missed Chairman Tae Oh’s statement responding to the Governor’s veto, he encourages all members to reach out to senators about overriding the veto. Looking ahead, our focus is on constructive engagement—working with lawmakers to achieve lasting improvements so Guam’s hospital and economy can advance together.

Please mark your calendar for our September General Membership meeting on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23rd, featuring guest speakers Rear Admiral Brett Meitus, CO, Joint Region Marianas, and Rear Admiral Joshua Lasky, CO, Joint Task-Force Micronesia. That same day, we’ll kick off the annual Toys for Tots campaign in partnership with Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz. Bringing a new, unwrapped toy to the meeting will help launch the program and bring joy to children in need this Christmas—please see more details below.

As we enjoy the first weekend of September, I wish you a wonderful start to the month!

Onward Together,

Catherine Castro

President

September 23, 2025 Toys for Tots Kick Off!

It is an honor to partner with the U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz to begin the 2025 Toys for Tots campaign! Since the Toys for Tots program was first introduced on Guam in 2010, the Guam Chamber of Commerce has worked closely with Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz to help bring holiday cheer to children in need. Through the generosity and support from businesses, schools, organizations, and our community, more than 12,000 toys were donated in 2024, which made a positive impact on children throughout Guam and the CNMI. We are reaching out once again to seek your participation and look forward to a generous 2025!

Kick-Off Event: 11:30 a.m. September 23, 2025

Hilton Guam Resort & Spa

BRING a NEW and UNWRAPPED TOY to the Tuesday, September 23rd General Membership Meeting to help us kick off this worthy effort. Need some gift ideas? Download our handy gift guide!

Become a drop-off site!

If your company is interested in collecting toys for this worthy cause, we will be happy to get you set up! Click on the link below if you haven't already signed up as a collection site. Due to the amount of interest and the shortage of resources, we are limiting the number of collection sites this year.

Become a collection site!

Upcoming Events | AUGUST

SEP 15

Extended Deadline

Dave J. Santos Scholarship

Contact the Chamber: info@GuamChamber.com.gu or call: (671) 472- 6311

SEP 25

GYP x SBPA Panel & Mixer

RSVP Required

A GYP Member Exclusive

(Date Change!)

OCT 10

Small Business Seminar "Communicating with Media: Tips for Success"

RSVP Required

View Full Calendar

SAVE THE DATE: OCTOBER 9th

Brews at the Bank Mixer

Looking for a great opportunity to connect with local professionals and build valuable business relationships? Join us at the upcoming networking mixer at BankPacific in Hagåtña on October 9th from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. There will be raffle prizes too! If you wish to contribute a prize for the mixer, please contact your Guam Chamber. Special thanks to BankPacific and Ambros, Inc. for co-hosting this fun event!

RSVP Here!

Download Flyer

TAKE THE SURVEY!

The Port Authority of Guam has requested a 17% tariff adjustment from the Public Utilities Commission. This tariff adjustment updates the Port's labor billing to 2025 rates (the last rate increase was in 2020). The Chamber's Maritime Affairs Committee would like to hear from you on how the proposed Port's tariff adjustments petition, should it be approved, will impact your company. Thank you for your participation!

Read the MBJ Article: Respicio details Port fee proposal

Take the Survey!

Next General Membership Meeting:

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

We made a change to our membership meeting date this month to hear from Rear Admiral Brett Meitus, CO, Joint Region Marianas, and Rear Admiral Joshua Lasky, CO, Joint Task-Force Micronesia who have agreed to be our guest speakers. RSVP link coming soon!

DAVE J. SANTOS SCHOLARSHIP

Applications Due:

Extended Deadline: Monday, September 15, 2025

Juniors or 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 Fall 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.

For students (juniors or seniors) who are interested in applying for the Dave J. Santos Scholarship, the digital form is available on the Guam Chamber of Commerce website, or you can click here. An advanced reminder that the deadline to submit applications

For additional information, contact the Guam Chamber of Commerce at 671-472-6311/8001 or email info@GuamChamber.com.gu.

View Application

U.S. Chamber Updates

PERMITTING REFORM

We Need Permitting Certainty, From Start to Finish

Over 500 organizations from across all 50 states sign onto coalition letter to Congress urging comprehensive reform

What's happening: The Chamber is “all-in” on permitting reform through our Permit America to Build initiative. We’re activating state and local Chambers from across the country and bringing together the biggest and broadest coalition to improve the permitting process.

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Why it matters: America's broken permitting system is blocking critical infrastructure needed for AI, data centers, manufacturing, and more - while recent government actions to revoke existing permits threaten to undermine investor confidence across all energy sectors.

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What we're saying: "Let’s ensure permits, once granted, remain secure and reliable to foster confidence, drive investment, and build the infrastructure essential for economic growth and energy security," says the U.S. Chamber's Marty Durbin.

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The bottom line: To attract the enormous private sector investment that will be needed, businesses must have certainty that when all the permits required for a project have been obtained, the project can be completed. That is why one of the Chamber’s top priorities is permitting reform.

"Let’s ensure permits, once granted, remain secure and reliable to foster confidence, drive investment, and build the infrastructure essential for economic growth and energy security," says the U.S. Chamber's Marty Durbin.

‌Read More Here

September 17

Maila Ta Fan Chesa

Hyatt Regency Guam Grand Ballroom

The Micronesian Chefs Association, American Culinary Federation, and UOG Center for Island Sustainability & Sea Grant present Maila' ta fan Chesa on September 17th from 6 pm - 9 pm at the Hyatt Regency Guam Grand Ballroom. A taste of every village! An amazing lineup of local chefs will create unique dishes using fresh island produce. Tickets are on sale and available at Meskla, IDI, Tools of the Trade, & Through all MCA Members.

Saturday, September 20, 2025

Guam International Coastal Cleanup 2025

The Guam International Coastal Cleanup has become a landmark event in our island community for decades, drawing participants from local organizations, schools, businesses, and individuals who share a passion for environmental conservation and stewardship. With the support of these dedicated volunteers, we have made significant strides in keeping our oceans clean and safe for marine life.

There are 23 cleanup site locations, which can be found in the registration form. Showtime is 6:00 am to 7:00 am for most sites. Registered volunteers will receive gloves, trash bags, and a free Coastal Cleanup T-shirt at check-in (while supplies last). Minors registered under a group must be accompanied by their registered chaperones to participate and receive supplies. Please wear appropriate clothing for outdoors, sunblock, and bring your refillable water bottle.

All volunteers are required to pre-register for the event through the website registration page. There is NO on-site registration on the day of the event. The number of tickets for each site will be capped based on the severity of trash in the area and the number of volunteers needed for each site.

You can register to participate here.