FirstPathway Weblog

Last month Dan Redford, FirstPathway Partners Director of Operations-China , was featured in Michigan’s Dome Magazine.  His editorial was part of a series offering advice to the state’s chief executive, Rick Snyder on his historic foreign trade mission to China.

In the article, Redford gives deceptively simple advice which has been proven to make or break business relationships in China. His advice is transcending weather you are new to business or the hold the state’s highest office; Above all it comes down to “guanxi — the art of doing business through relationships.”

Redford will attend a reception for Michigan Governor, Rick Snyder in Beijing, China at the end of September.

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FirstPathway Partners would like to welcome Dan Redford to his appointment as Director of Operations – China, as seen in the Detroit Free Press. Redford, fluent in Mandarin, studied at both Nankai University in Tianjin and Shanghai University. In 2010, Dan represented the United States as an ambassador to the Shanghai World Expo.

http://www.freep.com/article/20110724/COL32/107240585/Ron-Dzwonkowski-Michigan-must-become-land-worldly-opportunity

Prof. PU Ying Hua presents gift to Bob Kraft

June 27, 2011- The MMAC China Business Council hosted  The Art of War and the War of Business featuring one of Power Magazine’s, top 100 most influential persons in China, Prof. PU Ying Hua.  Prof. PU is an expert in classical Chinese thought and literature who has written and consulted extensively on business strategy and the Art of War, the famous 2,500 year old Chinese classic. PU is also a direct descendent of the Qing royal family.

Bob Kraft Chairman and CEO of FirstPathway Partners is Co-chair of the MMAC’s China Business Council.

This week the international table tennis world shifted its attention to Milwaukee as the Frontier Airlines Convention Center hosted The USA Table Tennis Federation’s US Open tournament featuring 700 elite table tennis athletes from 15 countries. The Open is part of Milwaukee’s 2011 ‘Summer of China’ designated by Mayor Tom Barrett.

The 2011 Open was politically significant in that it marked the 40th anniversary of “ping pong diplomacy,” a 1971 Beijing table tennis exhibition which helped open trade and diplomacy between the US and China. A Chinese delegation including several original “ping pong diplomacy” competitors and Chinese dignitaries attended the Open.

The “Summer of China” continues with The Milwaukee Art Museum’s summer series, The Emperor’s Private Paradise: Treasures from the Forbidden City, contents of the Qianlong Emperor’s private retreat, on view now through Sunday, September 11. Milwaukee is honored to be one of few cities selected to host this never before seen exhibition and historic tournament.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2011- Bob Kraft, Chairman and CEO of FirstPathway Partners and Co-chair of the MMAC China Council, attended the exclusive President’s Circle Preview Party- The Emperor’s Private Paradise: Treasures from the Forbidden City. This event was a sneak peak to the exhibition on view Saturday, June 11 through Sunday, September 11, 2011.

The Milwaukee Art Museum is one of only three museums in the world to ever showcase the over ninety objects of ceremony and leisure from the Qianlong Garden and the Forbidden City in Beijing.

“This is an extraordinary, unprecedented opportunity for the public to see masterpieces from the legendary Forbidden City complex before the objects return to Beijing where they will likely never leave the country again,” said Daniel Keegan, director of the Milwaukee Art Museum. “We are honored to be one of only three museums worldwide to present this breathtaking exhibition. It reaffirms our commitment to bringing world-class exhibitions to Milwaukee, and underscores the importance of the Milwaukee Art Museum on the international stage.”

For more information, visit mam.org/china.

Bob Kraft, Chairman and CEO of  FirstPathway Partners traveled to Seoul, South Korea to meet with FPP attorneys and agents. Kraft promoted current projects and updated agents on the current status of past projects.  Agents continue to be confident in FPP’s results and future prospects.

During the trip Kraft also made a brief stop in China to meet with top FPP executives.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011- Bob Kraft Chairman and CEO of FirstPathway Partners was chosen to moderate two sessions at the 47^th annual Wisconsin International Trade Conference.

During the sessions, Kraft commended the efforts of Milwaukee Mayor, Tom Barrett in expanding international trade, particularly with China. In his speech, the mayor encouraged efforts to further increase international trade and investment in our community, citing his support for EB5. The mayor expressed excitement for such projects as the Marriott which is seeking EB5 financing through FirstPathway Partners.  Mayor Barrett has also dubbed the summer of 2011 “The Summer of China,” featuring the US Table Tennis Open and The Milwaukee Art Museum’s, The Emperor’s Private Paradise: Treasures from the Forbidden City.  Several Chinese delegations are scheduled to visit Milwaukee throughout the summer.

In conjunction with the Wisconsin International Trade Conference,  FirstPathway Partners also attended the Wisconsin Export Awards luncheon where Wisconsin Governor, Scott Walker addressed International business leaders. The Governor’s key message to investors and entrepreneurs was that Wisconsin is open for business. Wisconsin has added 24,000 jobs in the past 3 months, leading the country in new job creation. FirstPathway Partners is committed to driving job creation in Target Employment Areas across Wisconsin.

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Wednesday, May 4 – Bob Kraft, Chairman and CEO of FirstPathway Partners/Co-chair of the MMAC China Council joined Milwaukee Mayor, Tom Barrett in welcoming representatives of the US Olympic Committee and USA Table Tennis Federation during a recent site visit.

Milwaukee is honored to hosts The USA Table Tennis Federation’s US Open tournament featuring 700 elite table tennis athletes from 15 countries. The open takes place at the Frontier Airlines Convention Center, June 30 through July 4 during Milwaukee’s “Summer of China.”

The Open is politically significant in that it marks the 40th anniversary of “ping pong diplomacy,” a 1971 Beijing table tennis exhibition which helped open trade and diplomacy between the US and China. A Chinese delegation which includes several original “ping pong diplomacy” competitors is scheduled to appear.

Milwaukee’s “Summer of China,” also includes The Milwaukee Art Museum’s summer series, The Emperor’s Private Paradise: Treasures from the Forbidden City, contents of the Qianlong Emperor’s private retreat. Milwaukee is honored to be one of few cities selected to host this never before seen exhibition and historic tournament.

Last month, FirstPathway Partners was proud to sponsor the 2011 China National Exit & Entry Services Association Alliance Conference.  During the conference members discussed cooperation rules and best practices for US and Canadian investment immigration programs.  The organization’s Chairmen, in addition to the largest 40 Chinese migration agencies were in attendance.

FPP was honored to contribute to this high profile event.

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FirstPathway Partners (FPP) is proud to announce its sponsorship of the Invest in America 2011 Guangzhou Summit, Saturday March 19 – Sunday March 20, 2011. During the summit, industry experts including featured keynote speaker Bob Kraft, FPP Chairman and CEO, will share insight into the dynamic EB5 program. In addition summit participant will be eligible to attend an exclusive seminar hosted by the Chairman himself. Join thousands of business executives, investors and migration agents in attending the Invest in America 2011 Guangzhou Summit, this spring.

The summit will be this year’s largest American investment exhibition in China. The two-day exhibition will take place at the five-star Guangzhou Grand Hyatt Hotel’s first-class exhibition hall. In addition to visiting individual booths, attendees will have an opportunity to attend seminars, workshops, and private meetings with FirstPathway Partners.

For more information about the Summit, log on http://investAmerica2011.org.