Greetings!
Have you had time to catch up to 2021 yet? I can't believe we are already saying goodbye to January! Our Chamber programs and activities are off to a great start. If you are interested in participating, we welcome you.
The AmChams of Asia Pacific is holding its annual business summit in March. Many Guam Chamber members have participated in these events in the past. This year's summit is virtual and will feature speakers such as Karan Bajwa, Vice President, Google Cloud, Asia Pacific, Renee McGowan, Chief Executive Officer, Asia Mercer, Fiona Carney, Chief Marketing & Operations Officer, Microsoft Asia Pacific and Vipul Chawla, President, Pizza Hut International Yum! Brands, just to name a few. Members are welcome and encouraged to register for this unique opportunity. Registration information is also noted as you scroll through this newsletter.
We know that for you and many businesses, the struggle to survive is very real. The pending minimum wage increase is a true source of concern as well as the possibility of a federal $15 minimum wage and corporate tax increases if the current Administration is successful in pushing these initiatives forward.
Right here at home, your Guam Chamber continues to press for the rollback of the BPT (yes, we heard the Governor say she would not support this), push for a moratorium on the minimum wage increase scheduled for March 1st this year as well as a moratorium on real estate taxes for properties valued at $1 million or more. It is imperative to our economy that we help our struggling businesses stay open. These initiatives will do just that. We have seen you create solutions and be resourceful; watched you lead with compassion, display social responsibility and be flexible with your staff while navigating through the various degrees of guidelines and restrictions implemented - and lifted - since last year. Without you, our economy would not be able to move forward. This is why we do what we do.
We welcome your ideas, thoughts, comments and suggestions as we continue to work together in the path forward.
Oward together,
Catherine Castro
President
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You may have received an email that you are not familiar with the subject line "Guam Chamber of Commerce Account Creation Link". Your Chamber Team has sent an email from the GrowthZone platform for our Chamber website to update your company information. If you haven't received an email or are having Member Login issues, please contact Jackie or Rebekah at the Chamber office: 472-6311/8001
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Let's welcome our new members and give them a hand the next time you are in the market for their services! |
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LIFE CYCLE ENGINEERING
For over 44 years we have worked for and with private companies and government programs, providing consulting, engineering, IT and education solutions.
Nonito Blas, Project Manager
671-486-6486
nblas@lce.com
www.lce.com
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Governor Leon Guerrero Signs Executive Order No. 2021-03Joint Information Center - JIC Release No. 552
January 28, 2021, 6:20 p.m. (ChST)
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Governor Leon Guerrero Signed Executive Order No. 2021-03 on January 28, 2021. Click on the following links to view details and guidance.
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GEDA ANNOUNCES GUAM STATE TRADE EXPANSION PROGRAM
TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES READY TO EXPORT
GEDA is hosting a webinar, “Why Should I Export and Am I Ready?”, on Tuesday, February 2, 2021.
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PUBLIC HEARING ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3rd
This bill seeks to increase the gross threshold for limited exemptions on the business privilege taxes for certain small businesses. The virtual public hearing, scheduled for Wednesday, February 3rd will take place at 2:00 p.m.
If enacted, this measure would temporarily suspend the additional real property tax levied on improvements with a value of one million dollars or more. The public hearing for this bill will take place at 9:00 a.m. on February 3rd.
TO SUBMIT WRITTEN TESTIMONY: Written testimonies may be addressed to Sen. Joe S. San Agustin, Chairman on General Government Operations, Appropriations and Housing and sent via email to senatorjoessanagustin@gmail.com.
FOR ASSISTANCE: Individuals with disabilities who may require additional assistance are asked to contact the office at 989-5445 or via email, senatorjoessanagustin@gmail.com for assistance.
WATCH IT LIVE: The public hearing will broadcast on local television, GTA Channel 21, Docomo Channel 117/60.4 and stream online via I Liheslaturan Guåhan’s live feed. A recording of the hearing will be available online via Guam Legislature Media on YouTube after the hearing.
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AAP Business Summit
Join the region’s largest AmCham event of 2021 from 9-11 March for a rare opportunity to engage with industry leaders and government representatives from the U.S. and across the Asia Pacific region.
All morning plenary sessions will be taking place virtually, with afternoon in-person industry breakout discussions for each of the 14 AmCham Committees to be held at Marina Bay Sands Singapore.
Purchase your virtual pass now and enjoy early bird prices until January 31, 2021. Tickets for the afternoon in-person events are pending government approval, and we will notify you once registration for the in-person tickets is live.
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VIDEO: Policy Power Hour: View to listen to discussion on what it will take for America to remain a global leader in 2021 and beyond, including fortifying allied relationships, addressing challenges and opportunities in U.S.-China economic relations, and expanding trade and investment opportunities around the world.
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We are happy to share your job openings on our website! You may email Rebekah@GuamChamber.com.gu to get started. These job postings are for Guam Chamber members in good standing.
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Member to Member deals provide members an opportunity to save money on services and goods. Offers includes discounts on office supplies, advertising, entertainment, insurance, auto services, catering, meeting spaces and more. This program offers participating members a vehicle to expose their business, products and services to thousands of employees of fellow Chamber members. Please note that to be effective, your discount or offer should be substantial enough to attract attention.
The Guam Chamber of Commerce will proudly promote this program and your participation at Chamber events, e-mail notices, new member packets and on the Chamber’s web site.
Participation in the Member to Member program is free and only available to Chamber Members. Your participation will
- Increase your company’s visibility in Guam Chamber e-notices and promotions
- Increase your company’s exposure in the Guam Chamber web site/ Member to Member App
- Increase sales and revenue for your business
- Increase the access of purchasing power of your fellow Chamber members and their employees
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Monday, January 25, 2021
This proposal was scheduled for a public hearing on Monday, January 25, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. The bill seeks to redate the implementation of the second tier of Public Law 35-38 from March 1, 2021 to March 1, 2022.
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Tuesday, January 26, 2021
Global Trade with EXIM Support for Commercial Lenders
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If you would like to view the presentation, it is made readily available for you.
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Wednesday, January 27, 2021
General Membership Meeting Recap
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Your Chamber hosted its monthly General Membership Meeting on Wednesday, January 27th. We invited Governor Lou Leon Guerrero to address the business community on Guam's economic outlook and her vision for economic diversification.
View the event recap on our YouTube channel.
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Thursday, January 28, 2021
Virtual Town Hall:
Learn more about the COVID-19 Vaccine
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Your Chamber, together with the Guam Hotel and Restaurant and the Guam Women's Chamber of Commerce hosted the Town Hall Event with Dr. Cabrera, Dr. Lee, Dr. Cruz and Dr. Hancock.
View the event recap on our YouTube channel.
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PPP Loan Numbers and Steps for Improvement |
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PRESS RELEASE
The Guam Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) is offering FREE live webinars
for February 2021!
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Get ready for 2021 with a loaded training schedule. Take a look at what the Guam SBDC has to offer!
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Keep you and your workplace safe! |
A kind reminder to all businesses that have not been monitoring your contact tracing efforts: DPHSS has contacted the Guam Chamber to remind companies that their staff does review contact tracing information and is requesting that all companies must keep up with these protocols. Businesses are asked to keep a log of visitor/customer name and contact information.
Note: Your Chamber's website also has COVID-19 information and downloadable guidelines:
Feel free to print and use the signage below at your place of work and add your logos as well!
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We have so many great local small businesses on Guam - here are some ways that you can help support them:
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Go to their establishment and purchase something or shop at their online store and pick up in store!
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Recommend them to others - word of mouth is powerful!
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Comment on their social media posts - with a word, short note or emoji!
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Share their social media post!
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Give them a good rating or leave a review about them on Facebook, Trip Advisor, Yelp or you get it, right?
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Cool! Thank you for shopping and supporting your local Guam small businesses!
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Guam Chamber of Commerce • 472-6311/ 8001 • info@GuamChamber.com.gu |
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