Community Outreach
The “Buy Local Commitment” supports the Buy Local movement, emphasizing the value of local activities on Guam to grow Guam’s economy. Buying Local means to purchase products and services offered by local businesses that are the backbone of our island’s economy. This commitment is a company's pledge to "Think Local, Support Local, Buy Local," whenever possible. Think local would ask companies to think about a local product, company, or organization before any other; Support Local by contributing to major non-profit organizations on island; and, Buy Local by shifting at least 10% of a company’s on-line or off-island purchase to local businesses. This is a program developed by the Guam Chamber of Commerce, Guam Economic Development Center and the University of Guam’s Pacific Center for Economic Development.
A program of the Chamber that brings women professionals together once a quarter to enhance personal and professional growth, allowing for participants to connect with other women of all career levels to strengthen professional networks and engage in the Guam business community.
Welcome to the Chamber Biz Box & Members Spotlight, these podcasts is all about our private sector. We feature the issues and successes we face as a business community and interesting tidbits about the entrepreneurs and leaders that make a difference to ensure that our private sector continue to grow and flourish.
Click the episodes to take you to our podcasts!
BizBox Podcast:
Episode 1: Meet the Chairman, Ed Untalan
Episode 2: Featuring the Guam Young Professionals
Episode 3: Featuring Kenneth Bowman, Resident Agent in charge, and Jeffrey Knight, Special Agent of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
Chamber Member Spotlight Podcast:
Episode 1: Meet the owner of Island Skin Spa, Chelsa Chester
Episode 2: Meet the owner of Slingstone Coffee & Tea, Peter Walls
Episode 3: Meet the Master Franchisee of Pacific FROOTS LLC, featuring Christine Baleto
Episode 4: Meet the President of Vantage Advertising, Featuring Tae Oh
Episode 5: Meet the Founder of Analista & Co., Featuring Norman Analista
Season 2: Episode 1: Meet the General Manager of Title Guarantee, Featuring Ryan Mummert
Seasons 2: Episode 2: Meet the Owner of Guam Baby Company, Featuring Giana Pangelinan
Dave J. Santos Scholarship
A scholarship fund was established in 1993 to assist business students enrolled in the University of Guam’s School of Business. The scholarship was named in honor of the late Dave J. Santos, past Chamber Board Chairman, Guam’s 1993 Small Business Person of the Year, and a strong advocate of local entrepreneurship. The scholarship is available to eligible juniors and seniors in the undergraduate business program and to eligible graduate students in the School of Business.
Promotes excellence in Guam’s education system by creating alternatives, which produce outcomes in educational achievement as desired by parents, students, faculty and community.
The Guam Business Hall of Fame pays tribute to a company and a business 
leader (employed, retired or deceased) who have made exceptional contributions to business and industry in Guam. The aim of the Business Hall of Fame is to recognize Guam's champions of free enterprise and entrepreneurship through the Guam Chamber of Commerce.
ELIGIBILITY:
Any individual or for-profit enterprise licensed to do business in Guam. Business must have operated in Guam for a minimum period of ten years.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTION
Individuals and companies nominated for admission into the Guam Business Hall of Fame will be selected on the basis of key criteria.
Individuals must:
- be recognized as a model entrepreneur, having their own money at risk in the spirit of free enterprise, and
having made a significant contribution to the success of their company or profession; - have developed a company or structure that enhanced productivity, quality and profits;
- have served as a role model; encouraged others to be entrepreneurs;
- have demonstrated civic as well as corporate leadership; and,
- have resided or worked in Guam at least 10 years.
Companies must:
• be recognized as having been a successful business for at least 10 years and was/is a credit to their industry;
• have developed a product or service that met community needs;
• have demonstrated successful management of resources to enhance productivity and profitability over an extended
period of time;
• have maintained good labor/management relations; encouraged others to be entrepreneurs; and,
• have demonstrated outstanding commitment to community involvement.
SELECTION COMMITTEE
The Selection Committee consists of persons filling the following positions:
- Chairman of the Board, Guam Chamber of Commerce;
- Appointed Board Director, Guam Chamber of Commerce;
- Appointed Board Director, Guam Chamber of Commerce;
- Board Representatives from: Junior Achievement Guam, UOG School of Business and Public Administration, and The Mayors' Council of Guam; and, Archbishop, Archdiocese of Agana.
INDUCTION CEREMONY
An induction ceremony will be part of the Chamber's 99 th Anniversary Celebration on May 6, 2023. A special program centered on the life of the Laureate and Business recipient will be featured. The Laureate (or designated representative in the case of a deceased Laureate) and Business Awardee will receive symbolic awards designed to be representative of Guam and visually symbolize strength, keenness of vision, and great achievement in business leadership.
NOMINATION FORMS
Nomination forms are available at the Chamber office. Use only these forms (copy additional applications as needed). Send three (3) collated copies of the nomination forms and attachments to Guam Business Hall of Fame Selection Committee c/o GUAM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 372 West Soledad Avenue, Hagåtña, Guam 96910
Deadline to submit nominations: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2023
2022 LAUREATE
JOSEPH M. CRISOSTOMO
Joseph “Joey” M. Crisostomo is the Founder & President of CarsPlus, LLC, Cycles Plus LLC, Pacific Powersports, LLC dba: Harley-Davidson of Guam, Pacific Auto Leasing, LLC dba: Thrifty Car Rental, Car Wash Pros dba: Finish Line Express, JC22 Properties, and GoSolar Guam.
Laureate embodies the entrepreneurial spirit and believes in leading by example. He has earned a reputation in the Guam community from the dirt tracks into the showroom when he started his family-owned and operated automotive dealership. His career on Guam first began in the motorcycle and automotive industry with Island Imports. It wasn’t long before he would be asked to tackle on customer service duties, and it was soon noticed that he really had a talent for selling and working with people. In 1988, Laureate was offered to manage a Ford/Toyota dealership in Idaho. Laureate had worked for various dealerships: Big Island Toyota in Kona, Hawaii, to include Triple J Motors and Keico Motors, in Guam. Over the next 10 years, that laid the groundwork for his dream – to open his own dealership. With the establishment of CarsPlus in 1999 as a used car dealership, Laureate was able to lead the company and build a state-of-the-art service & parts auto center and tire vendor in Maite in 2008. In 2017, Laureate acquired the former Guam Harley-Davidson which now operates as a brand-new dealership, Harley-Davidson of Guam. The auto center operates the sales and services for Ram Trucks, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge Hyundai and Fiat vehicles. In addition to founding CarsPlus, Laureate, who also grew up a racer ad avid powersports enthusiast also founded Cycles Plus which is Guam’s authorized dealer for Kawasaki, Honda, Suzuki and Polaris. Cycles Plus is also located in the same location.
Over the years, Laureate has been generous in giving his personal time to local business and community service associations as a Board Member in Chrysler Minority Dealers Association, Treasurer for Guam Automobile Dealers Association, Chairman of the Guam Chamber of Commerce – Armed Forces Committee, Board of Directors for Bank of Guam, Board of Directors for Guam Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors for DaVinci RP Operating Lessee, Member of the GVB Sports Tourism Committee, Board of Directors for the Department of Parks & Recreation, Board of Directors for the Guam Economic Development Authority and was on the St. Anthony School Advisory Board, as well as making charitable contributions through CarsPlus to the Guam Football Association (Soccer), Guam Basketball Association, Guam Futbol Association, Catholic Social Services, Kamalen Karidat, Habitat for Humanity, Guam International Raceway, Guam Triathlon Federation, Guam Cycling Federation, Guam Visitors Bureau, Miss Guam Tourism, American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, Guam Juvenile Drug Court Program, Youth Life Skills Program, Make A Wish Foundation of Guam & CNMI, and The Guam Kayak & Canoe Federation.
The Guam business associates has nominated and awarded Laureate for his success as the 2006 U.S. Small Business Administration State Businessperson of the Year for his commitment to entrepreneurship, 2005 Hyundai – Award of Excellence for distributors who exhibit strong performance, commitment, leadership and growth in the Asia Pacific Region, 2004 Guam Business Executive of the Year for his entrepreneurship and leadership in the business community as Guam’s proud locally-owned and operated dealership, 2003 DiamlerChrysler – Leadership Award for his leadership and exemplary performance, Athlete of the Year and Top 25 Athletes of the Century from KUAM for decades of racing both professionally and locally in motocross and now buggy.
Laureate is considered a role model to many because of his tireless work ethic, business acumen and vision. His family are a testament to Laureate’s leadership and guidance. His wife, Joyce Quinata Crisostomo is the Executive Director of CarsPlus, daughter, Leonora Crisostomo Rapolla is the General Manager of Thrifty Car Rental, daughter, Jennifer Crisostomo Camacho is the Senior Vice President of CarsPlus, son, Joey Crisostomo Jr. is the Sales Manager of Cycles Plus.
Laureate has served the people of Guam for over 20 years through his family businesses and community involvement. Laureate can be found today with his four grandchildren, the future line of successors at CarsPlus, “Driven by You”.
Improve the quality of life in Guam by advocating for policies that improve health outcomes and experiences for all Guam residents.
Support our tourism and hospitality industry by advocating for the beautification, safety, and sustainability of our island and our region.
The Chamber, in partnership with the Superior Court of Guam’s Juvenile Drug Court, developed a program of basic skills workshops designed for youth participants. The courses are grouped into four categories: Work or Job Oriented Skills, Life Skill or Personal Interest, Self-Esteem and Goal Oriented Skills, and Sports & Health Development Oriented Skills. The categories are further broken down into specific topics, which are focused and short in duration such that success can be readily achieved. Life skills activities offer necessary skills to encourage self-reliance, access to resources, and engagement into the community. Courses are conducted by the owners and top managers of the more than 300 companies that are members of the Guam Chamber of Commerce.
The Legislative Review Committee was formed in 2014. The Chamber found that the number of bills generated by the Guam Legislature made it increasingly difficult to monitor and gather information in recent years. The group is committed to reviewing legislation and public policy issues that impact economic growth and progress in Guam and the region.
Aims to sustain and increase membership by providing supportive services, organizing learning opportunities, coordinating business mentorship, and recognizing member achievements, accomplishments, and community contributions
Through its partnership with the Judiciary of Guam, the Chamber has joined the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Guam Red Ribbon Week Committee to promote safe, healthy, drug-free lifestyles throughout the month of October, which culminates with the nationally recognized Red Ribbon Week. This campaign provides an opportunity for communities to unite by bringing together parents, schools and businesses as we look for new and innovative ways to keep kids safe and drug free. The Chamber encourages business members to participate in school outreach programs, place a Red Ribbon message or logo on their advertisements, wear Red Ribbons and distribute ribbons to their employees, and support the island wide “wear red day.” The event includes community outreach at shopping malls, education outreach at schools, a poster contest, a 5K run, and ends with the “Say Boo! To Drugs” event at Agana Shopping Center at the end of October.
This annual recognition, honors one Chamber member company, group, or organization who makes or has made a noteworthy contribution to the growth of small business in Guam with the development of sustainable practices, products and/or services. The recipient of the award is announced at the Annual Small Business Expo event. The Small Business Excellent Award program is a component of the Small Business Focus & Development Committee.
A series of monthly seminars developed by the Chamber’s Small Business Focus & Development Committee in cooperation with the Guam Small Business Development Center, and presented by Chamber members. Initially developed with small businesses in mind, each seminar provides guidance and instruction on a variety of topics to assist all companies, including customer service, tax issues, fraud and economic trends.
View our event calendar here.
Toys for Tots is a seasonal endeavor in which Chamber member companies support Marine Corps Activity Guam's effort on island to ensure that a variety of toys and gift items are distributed in the community where they will do the most good. Toys for Tots has been popular among the membership and the generosity and support for this program is well supported by the employees of a variety of Chamber member companies.
Click the link below to view thank you message
2022 Toys for Tots Announces High School Challenge Winner
Okkodo High School and Notre Dame High School have been named as the winners of the 2022 Toys for Tots High School Challenge, which challenges schools to collect and donate the most toys as part of the Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, Toys for Tots Campaign.
The Guam Chamber of Commerce's Armed Forces Committee offered schools with a population of more than 500 students a $1,000 prize. A $700 prize was offered to schools will less than 500 students. Okkodo High School was the large school winner with a total of 986 toys donated. Notre Dame High School was the small school winner with a total of 164 toys donated.
- Academy of Our Lady of Guam
- DoDEA Guam High School
- Father Dueñas Memorial School
- Guahan Academy Charter School
- Harvest Christian Academy Guam
- Majesty Christian Academy Guam
- Notre Dame High School
- Okkodo High School
- Simon Sanchez High School
- Southern High School
- Tiyan High School
