FirstPathway Weblog

On Thursday, December 8, 2011 Bob Kraft, Chairman and CEO of FirstPathway Partners, joined Milwaukee Mayor, Tom Barrett as he presented a bronze bald eagle sculpture to the city of Ningbo, China in celebration of Milwaukee’s five-year anniversary with the City.  In 2006, Milwaukee signed a cooperative MOU with Ningbo, China.

The gift, a beautifully carved, 6 ft., bronze bald eagle, created by artist Mike Capser, symbolizes the American spirit and continued development of a dynamic partnership between Ningbo and Milwaukee. The sculpture will be on display at the Ningbo Museum. This gift is in response to the 2008 presentation of Ningbo’s two stone lions to the city of Milwaukee. The lions can be seen at the entrance of the Zeidler Municipal Building on Broadway St. in downtown Milwaukee.

First Pathway Partners, Chairman/CEO and MMAC China Council Co-Chair Bob Kraft, spoke on behalf of Milwaukee Business leaders at the event.

Starting June 10th Milwaukee’s gift will be on display for residents before being shipped to its permanent home in Ningbo, China. In 2011 Milwaukee will present its sister city Ningbo with the 6 ft golden eagle. This gift is in response to the 2008 presentation of Ningbo’s two stone lions to the city of Milwaukee. The lions can be seen at the entrance of the Zeidler Municipal Building on Broadway St. in downtown Milwaukee.

The eagle, created by created by artist Mike Capser, is currently on display at the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) lobby on the first floor. Viewers are welcome.

While in Ningbo for the Zhejiang Investment & Trade Symposium Bob Kraft and Dan Wycklendt were honored to receive a private tour of the province from friend and Senor Ambassador of Ningbo to the United States, Bangjie He. Their tour included a boat ride down the Fenghua River, a site visit to the future home of Milwaukee’s gift to Ningbo (its sister city), and many other historic local sites. During their visit Kraft and Wycklendt were also honored  guests at a private dinner hosted by the Yinzhou District Municipal Government. The two were also treated to an overnight stay at “Gold Beach” hosted by Xiangshan Municipal Government. We would like to thank all our friends in Ningbo for making our stay both memorable and enjoyable.

As the City of Milwaukee and FirstPathway Partners welcomed the Ningbo Delegation, the Chinese came baring gifts.  In an event at the Zeidler Municipal Building in Downtown Milwaukee, two hand carved stone lions were unveiled by Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, Ningbo Vice Mayor Wu Hemin, and FirstPathway Partners Chairman Bob Kraft, among others.  These 6 foot tall lions each weigh nearly 3,000 pounds, and will guard the city of Milwaukee.  FirstPathway was honored to be part of such a wonderful event.

FirstPathway Partners also sponsored a boat tour on the Milwaukee River and Lake Michigan for the Ningbo Delegation.  The visitors from China were able to get a unique view of Milwaukee from the water, and see much of what the City has to offer. 

After the dedication of the lions, Bob Kraft and Dan Wycklendt joined the rest of delegation for dinner at Foley and Lardner, in the top of the US Bank Building.  It was a perfect opportunity for the Milwaukee representatives to break bread with the visitors from Ningbo and discuss the future growing relationship between the two cities.

The following day, representatives from the Milwaukee area and local business people met for the 2008 Ningbo-Milwaukee Business Cooperation Trade Conference.  The Conference, hosted by the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, focused on opportunities for Ningbo and Milwaukee to work together in the future. 

FirstPathway Partners was honored to take part welcoming our visitors from Ningbo.  We look forward to working with them in the future to grow the relationship between our two cities.

Thank you Jason Li and Janice Zagorski for the pictures from the events!

Here is the story from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=774242