(Thursday, October 6, 2011; Tumon, Guam) At the annual GVB Membership Meeting on September 30, 2011 at Guam Marriott Resort & Spa, $1,435 was donated to the Japan Club of Guam for the Tsunami Relief Fund. Japan Club President Toyohito Yoneyama accepted the check with donations being generated through a raffle.

GVB Board Member Bruce Kloppenburg presented prizes donated by American Printing, Guam Marriott Resort & Spa, Guam Reef Hotel, Dr. Judy Flores, Outrigger Guam Resort, and Sea Grill. United/Continental Airlines donated the grand prize of two round-trip tickets to Okinawa and two business class tickets to Hawaii, requested on the spot by Congresswoman Bordallo.

Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo spoke at the event, reassuring the tourism industry that she is in talks with President Obama concerning a Guam-CNMI visa waiver for China. She said that she believes Guam should not have to choose between a military build-up and the visa waiver program. Bordallo has been a vocal supporter of the visa waiver in her dealings with Congress.

Barry Bergmann, United Airlines’ managing director of Micronesia and Southeast Asia, informed the 100-plus members of aircraft and service changes as a result of the Continental merger.

“I am pleased to hear of Congresswoman Bordallo’s push in Washington to bring the Guam-CNMI visa waiver program to fruition,” said Joann Camacho, GVB General Manager. “It is also heartwarming to see our members donate so generously to help our neighbors in Japan.”

GVB Members raised $1,435 for the Japan Club of Guam Tsunami Relief Fund at the Annual GVB Membership meeting September 30, 2011. L-R: Bruce Kloppenburg, GVB Board Member; Toyohito Yoneyama, Japan Club President; Quentin Koch, Continental Airlines’ Director of Sales – Guam and Micronesia; Joann Camacho, GVB General Manager; and Barry Bergmann, United Airlines’ Managing Director of Micronesia and Southeast Asia.