by Michele Catahay

Guam - The Guam Visitor's Bureau is looking to expand its branding image not only to grassroots organizations, but to those in the business community. Several such companies have made the Hafa Adai Pledge to promote the island in a positive light.

Over a year ago, GVB unveiled its flagship community campaign called the "We Are Guam" branding initiative. To add the community projects like the village mural and local ambassadors, GVB has encouraged a public/private partnership to deliver this branding image. GVB Deputy General Manager Ernie Galito says this new partnership, the Hafa Adai Pledge, encourages companies to celebrate Guam and its culture.

He says it's an opportunity to recognize them, telling KUAM News, "It begins with the community and once we get the community's buy in and their support and acknowledgment of it, then I think Guam will be a better destination for visitors who are coming here for the first time."

CEO of Advance Management Monty McDowell says over the past two years, his company has been promoting the Chamorro language by encouraging its employees to take up Chamorro lessons with the Hurao Academy. He says the Hafa Adai Pledge program is fitting for them, adding, "I think the community all together can lift up the cultural and language image of the island and the more we do, it's a better feeling of love for our island. It's just a really good thing," he said.

Bank of Guam Senior Vice-President and Marketing Administrator Jackie Marati says her institution continues to promote what makes the island unique in all of its branches. She said, "I think when we were founded 38 years ago, it was clear that the culture and the needs of the people were the foremost of the founding of our organization. So this way, the Hafa Adai Way, it's all part of the way Bank of Guam does business. What we're doing is sharing and embracing with the rest of the community, which has always been important to us."

Other companies taking part in the pledge include KUAM, the A.B. Won Pat International Airport, Archway Incorporated, Benson Guam, Continental Airlines, the Guam Power Authority and the Outrigger Guam Resort.