FirstPathway Weblog

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.

In a recent article, The Business Journal highlighted the importance of the continual push to make EB-5 permanent. Since 1993, the EB-5 pilot program has been renewed by Congress allowing Regional Centers to continue to bring much needed jobs and capital investment into our communities. The author also commends the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) Regional Center, “which paved the way for EB-5 to be used on projects in southeast Wisconsin.”

This article serves as a reminder to future investors and the community at large that business leaders, Senators, and organizations like IIUSA, are continuing their efforts to make the “beloved” EB-5 program permanent.

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Bob Kraft, Chairman/CEO of FirstPathway Partners and Co-Chair of the MMAC China Council, joins advisory committee and Milwaukee Art Museum curators in planning public events to enhance this summer’s unprecedented exhibits. For the first time ever the Milwaukee Art Museum will present four separate exhibitions of Chinese art.

June 11 through September 12, 2011, The Milwaukee Art Museum proudly presents The Emperor’s Private Paradise: Treasures from the Forbidden City, featuring the 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.

In addition to The Emperor’s Private Paradise: Treasures from the Forbidden City Milwaukee will also relish Modern Chinese Ink Paintings from the Chu-tsing Li Collection, installations from contemporary Chinese artist Zhan Wang and The Conley Collection of Chinese Art.

To celebrate this unparalleled year of exhibitions, Milwaukee Mayor, Tom Barrett has declared the summer of 2011: The Summer of China.

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Tuesday, November 16 2010- The MMAC China Business Council hosted a reception in honor of newly appointed Consul General of China in Chicago, General Yang Guoqiang at Marquette University’s law school. Bob Kraft Chairman/CEO of FirstPathway Partners, co-chairs The MMAC China Business Council with fellow China business enthusiast Ulice Payne Jr.

Event speakers included Martha Brown City of Milwaukee Deputy Commissioner, Pete Beitzel MMAC Vice President, Linda Salchenberger Marquette Dean and the Consul General himself Yang Guoqiang. During his remarks, the Consul General discussed the economy at length emphasizing his commitment to expanding exports from the region. China is currently Milwaukee’s 3rd largest trading partner.

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Tuesday, September 28 2010- Wisconsin Governor, Jim Doyle signed a “collaborative trade agreement” with Shaanxi Governor, Zhao Zhengyong, during a weeklong trade mission to China. Wisconsin is excited to extend cooperation and exchange with the Shaanxi province.

FirstPathway Partners, Chairman and CEO, Bob Kraft also traveled to Xi’an, Shaanxi’s capital city, last week to encourage cooperation with the province.

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In a survey of more than 2,000 institutions, The University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Business graduate program ranked 19th, in The Princeton Review’s annual ranking of entrepreneurship programs. Some of the performance metrics included: faculty credentials, courses offered, mentorship, non-curriculum-based activities and competitions.

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Wen-Chong Liang, of Zhongshan China broke the course record at Wisconsin’s Whistling Straits with eight-under 64 in the third round of the PGA Championship. When asked about the score Liang commented, “This is special, besides the score, because this is a major. And also it makes people realize that there are actually professional golfers in China, so this is a very special round.” FirstPathway Partners would like to congratulate him on this historic round at our local course.

Liang Wen-Chong is the highest ranked golfer in the PRC, ranked 78th in the world.

Read More from the Wall Street Journal

According to J.D. Power and Associates customer satisfaction report, the Aloft, a project in FirstPathway Partners’ Citizenship Fund Portfolio, ranks higher in customer satisfaction than many larger, more established brands. Experts say, the hotel segment has seen a shift towards brands positioned as “style at a steal,” like the Aloft.

The Aloft (Milwaukee), a brand of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is located downtown at 1230 N. Old World Third St., in the Park East corridor. It is the first Aloft location in southeastern Wisconsin. The completed five-story, 160-room hotel in downtown Milwaukee  features 5,000 square feet of meeting space, a fitness center, an indoor pool overlooking the riverwalk, laptop stations,  pool table and the Wxyz Bar in the lobby/lounge area. Nearby attractions include the Milwaukee River, The Bradley Center (home of the Milwaukee Bucks) and trendy local bars/restaurants.

Read more in the USA Today

Wednesday June 16, 2010 – FirstPathway Partners was honored to host local agent John Zheng and his associates from Shenzhen and Wuhu.   It was a great pleasure to share our wonderful program and city with such thoughtful and significant guests.